APEDA Facilitates First Trial Shipment of Fresh Pomegranate to USA

APEDA Facilitates First Trial Shipment of Fresh Pomegranate to USA, Boosting Exports Prospects

New Delhi, 08 AUG 2023: – The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) achieved a remarkable feat by successfully facilitating the first trial shipment of fresh pomegranate to the USA via air route. This achievement holds great promise for India’s fruit exports, offering higher price realization and increased income for farmers.

In collaboration with key players like the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of India, the US’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (US-APHIS), Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur (NRC-Solapur), and others, APEDA ensured the smooth and successful shipment of fresh pomegranate to the US market.

Mr. Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, expressed optimism about the impact of increased pomegranate exports to the USA, expecting higher remuneration for farmers. The export initiative received a promising response from importers in the USA, indicating potential success for Indian pomegranates in the American market.

‘INI Farms,’ an APEDA-registered entity and part of the Agrostar group, executed the trial shipment. ‘INI Farms’ is a leading fruit and vegetable exporter, with a robust value chain for banana and pomegranate. It directly works with farmers, offering comprehensive services, including agronomy, agri-inputs, and off-take. The company exports its produce to over 35 countries, establishing itself as a key player in the international fruit market.

The trial shipment aims to enhance capacities among Indian exporters and US importers, ensuring the supply of high-quality fruits. It also strengthens trade relations between India and the USA, opening up new avenues for agricultural exports.

The ‘Bhagwa’ variety of pomegranate from Maharashtra holds significant export potential due to its high antioxidant content and super fruit characteristics. The Solapur district in Maharashtra contributes nearly 50 percent of India’s pomegranate exports, reinforcing its position in the global pomegranate trade.

To maintain traceability and quality in pomegranate exports, APEDA organizes sensitization programs in collaboration with state governments, encouraging farms to register under AnarNet, a system developed by APEDA. The efforts of APEDA have been instrumental in gaining market access and exporting high-quality Indian pomegranates to countries like the USA and Australia.

India exported 62,280 metric tonnes of pomegranates valued at USD 58.36 million during the previous year 2022-23, reaching countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bahrain, and Oman. India is the world’s second-largest producer of horticulture crops, with fruits and vegetables contributing 90% of the total production, which stood at 333.20 million metric tonnes during 2021-22. Pomegranate production alone accounted for around 3 million metric tonnes during the same period.

India ranks seventh globally in pomegranate production, with approximately 2,75,500 hectares of land under pomegranate cultivation. The major pomegranate-producing states in India are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. To further boost pomegranate exports, APEDA has formed Export Promotion Forums (EPF) for Pomegranate, bringing together representatives from the Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, state governments, national referral laboratories, and the top ten leading pomegranate exporters.

APEDA has been actively addressing challenges in the pomegranate value chain, covering various stages from pre-production to post-harvest and marketing activities. It has established more than 250 export-oriented European Union compliant packhouses in the private sector, providing financial assistance to state governments to augment capacity infrastructures for exports.

In its continuous pursuit of exploring new markets and tapping export potential, APEDA has designed country-specific export promotional programs and organized International Buyer Seller Meets for EU countries, Middle East, and South East Asian countries.

Overall, the rise in agricultural and processed food product exports is a testament to APEDA’s various initiatives, such as B2B exhibitions in different countries, product-specific and general marketing campaigns, and collaborations with Indian Embassies. The authority continues to work towards enhancing the export potential of various agricultural products from different regions, fostering international market linkages, and promoting the growth of India’s agricultural export sector.