Latest news with #Apeda
Mint
18-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
India preps new blueprint for farm export boost, engages Icrier, Crisil
Amid growing global trade uncertainties and protectionist pressures, India is set to chart a new course to strengthen and diversify its agricultural exports that accounted for $51.91 billion in FY25. To drive this effort, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), a government agency under the commerce ministry, has commissioned the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (Icrier), a top economic think tank and Crisil, a credit rating and analytics firm, to develop a comprehensive blueprint to chart the expansion of India's reach in the key global markets. This effort will analyze and map the entire value chain of high-potential agricultural and processed food products, identify challenges and opportunities, and recommend strategies tailored to specific regions and countries. The goal is to diversify India's export destinations beyond its historical focus on West Asia, Africa, and Asia Pacific, opening doors to markets in Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea. "We have identified around 32 high potential product categories that are poised to drive the next phase of India's agricultural export. To capture the opportunities, we have entrusted ICRIER and Crisil to conduct detailed market studies for each product and the top 20 potential markets for the identified commodities," said a senior official at Apeda. The commodities in focus include basmati and non-basmati rice and fruits such as banana, mango, pomegranate and pineapple that enjoy strong international demand. Among vegetables, potato, cucumber and green chilli are priority. There is also increased international appetite for processed and value-added food items such as cereal preparations, value-added makhana items, sauces and pickles. According to an Apeda official, privy to the development, animal products, including bovine meat, natural honey and dairy items such as ghee and paneer also have great potential in the global markets. Work on the blueprint is already underway. 'We are preparing a report on the export potential of commodities such as makhana, banana, mango, potato, cashew, pomegranate, cashew, cucumber, pineapple, cereal preparations, and pickles,' said Harsh Wardhan, fellow at Icrier. "A few of the reports have been submitted to Apeda, and work is in advance stages on other commodities." Drawing on secondary research and field visits, the report will suggest actionable strategies to unlock India's export potential by studying the entire value chain--from production to processing to exports--identify key challenges and evaluate the tariff and non-tariff measures. A fine example on the immense potential of Indian farm goods is the case of makhana (Euryale ferox), popularly known as gorgon nut. Makhana has emerged as a global superfood owing to its remarkable nutritional and medicinal value. India dominates global production, accounting for 90% of the supply, with Bihar alone contributing 85–90%. Despite this dominance, India's share in global makhana exports is disproportionately low. Only around 1–2% of the country's produce is exported. As the demand for plant-based, gluten-free, and functional food grows internationally, India has a significant opportunity to strengthen its position in the global makhana trade. The rise in India's agricultural exports will help improve farmer incomes, generate rural employment, and establish the country's dominance in niche, yet growing global food categories.
Mint
27-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
India exports first batch of rose-scented litchis to Qatar
New Delhi: India has dispatched its first-ever consignment of rose-scented litchis to Qatar, marking a significant step in its push to expand exports of high-value horticultural produce, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday. The shipment, comprising one tonne of the premium litchis from Pathankot, Punjab, was sent to Doha on 23 June, with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda). A smaller, half-tonne batch was simultaneously exported to Dubai. The fruit—known for its delicate floral aroma and juicy sweetness—has long been associated with Bihar's Mithila region. Litchis are believed to have arrived in India from China over 300 years ago, travelling through Assam and Bengal before taking root in Bihar. But the centre of gravity for litchi cultivation has shifted. Once India's undisputed leader in litchi production, Bihar's output has declined sharply—falling 43% over the past decade. From accounting for nearly two-thirds of India's litchis in 2001-02, the state now contributes less than a quarter. States like Punjab, Jharkhand, and Odisha have stepped in to fill the gap. The rose-scented litchis shipped to Qatar were grown by farmer Prabhat Singh in Sujanpur, with support from the Punjab horticulture department and retail major Lulu Group. The fruit was packed in refrigerated containers to preserve freshness and meet export standards. "This milestone initiative underscores the excellence of India's horticultural produce and highlights the country's growing agri-export capabilities," the ministry said in a statement. 'It offers immense opportunities for farming communities by providing international market access for their fresh and high-value produce.' India's overall fruit and vegetable exports rose to $3.87 billion in FY25, a 5.7% increase over the previous year. While traditional favourites like mangoes and bananas still lead the charts, newer offerings such as cherries, jamun, and now rose-scented litchis are gaining ground. "These efforts reflect the government commitment to expanding the agri-export basket, empowering farmers, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian produce," the statement said. "With focused interventions, Apeda continues to play a key role in enabling market access for FPOs, FPCs, and agri-exporters—solidifying India's position as a global leader in agricultural and processed food products," it added.
Mint
26-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
India to develop sea protocol to boost mango exports and reduce spoilage
India, a major exporter of mangoes, is developing a protocol to transport the fruit by sea to overseas destinations while maintaining their quality and preventing losses due to spoilage. Sea protocol trials have been successfully carried out with bananas and pomegranates shipped from Indian ports to Rotterdam in the Netherlands and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach, Sudhanshu, secretary of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), toldMint on the sidelines of a conference on agri-exports. "Now we are developing sea protocols for mangoes, which will definitely boost the export of the fruit," he said. Apeda has teamed up with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to work out the sea protocol for mango exports. "This is part of the government's efforts to develop sea protocols for increasing exports of fresh produce including fruits and vegetables at lower cost to distant markets," said Sudhanshu. The protocols involve norms to ensure that fresh produce reaches their destination in optimal condition when transported by sea. They address factors such as harvesting time, maturity stage, temperature control during transit, and ripening at the destination. Sending consignments by sea is much cheaper than transporting them by air and also enables larger quantities to be dispatched. "The US is emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for Indian mangoes. The freight charges for exporting 700 kg of mangoes to the US by air is almost similar to sending 14-15 tonnes of mangoes through sea route," said Ekram Husain, vice-president of the VAFA Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Exporters Association (Maharashtra). Additionally, transporting shipments by air attracts 18% GST compared with 5% for shipments sent by sea. India exported mangoes worth $56.34 million in FY25, about 6.3% lower than $60.14 million in FY24. According to Husain, sending mango shipments by sea will boost exports to countries such as the US, Canada, New Zealand and Japan and benefit Indian farmers. India produces 40% of the world's mangoes, the most by any country, but it also has a large domestic consumption market. The major mango-growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, and West Bengal. Apeda is also working with research institutes to increase the shelf life of litchis, a highly perishable fruit. India is the second-largest producer of litchis, after China. Bihar is the leading producer of litchis in India, with an over-40% share. "We are also working with research institutes to increase the shelf life of a litchi from 4-5 days to 15 days. This will increase the availability of the fruits not only across the country but would also be exported," Sudhanshu added. Agriculture and farmers' welfare minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told litchi farmers in Bihar on 2 June that the government would take steps to address the short shelf life of litchis. The minister directed ICAR scientists to develop techniques that would extend the shelf life of litchis and enable farmers to get fair prices.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Another red juicy jewel for the crown: Punjab's famed litchis rule Britannia
CHANDIGARH: Punjab's juicy jewels have found a London calling. Following last year's successful debut in England and its conquest with gentle sweetness, Punjab's famed litchis may soon find a place on fruit shelves around the world. The state horticulture department, in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), is actively working to expand export markets for the sweet, ruby-red fruit grown in the foothills of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur. Punjab cultivates litchi across 3,250 hectares, yielding about 13,000 metric tonnes annually. The state's two prominent varieties - Dehradun and Calcuttia - are known for their colour, texture and natural sweetness, which experts say rival or exceed those from India's other major litchi-producing regions. Shailender Kaur, director of horticulture for Punjab, said training sessions are being held to help farmers meet international export standards. "We're working closely with Apeda to explore more markets beyond England," she said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo "Farmers are being guided on plantation techniques, post-harvest handling, and packaging to ensure quality." Apeda officials said another training session is scheduled for the last week of April. The goal, they said, is to prepare growers for more stringent global requirements and help streamline licensing and export logistics. The empire peels back Last June, a 10-quintal consignment was shipped from Amritsar to England, sourced from progressive farmer Rakesh Dadwal of Muradpur village in Pathankot. The fruit was dispatched through Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport and received encouraging feedback from buyers in London. Encouraged by the response, the state now plans to scale efforts by sending small batches to new international destinations. "The aim is to create awareness about Punjab litchis in overseas markets," a senior government official said. "Once established, it could open up more lucrative opportunities for local farmers." Among them is Amarjit Singh Kang, a grower hoping for better returns in coming years. "Right now, it's break-even," he said. "But even that's better than the domestic market. We sold at Rs 100 per kg here, but in London it fetched Rs 500." Punjab's litchis are in demand in Indian metrosbut the state is betting big on its global future.
