APEDA facilitates India’s first commercial trial shipment of Sangola pomegranates to US via sea
On 28 February 2024, India successfully flagged off its first commercial trial shipment of pomegranates to the US via sea under the aegis of Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) by InI Farms from IFC facility, MSAMB, Vashi (Navi Mumbai). Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA flagged off the Pomegranate shipment comprising of 4200 boxes (12.6 tons).
The
ceremony was graced by dignitaries from the Maharashtra State Agricultural
Marketing Board (MSAMB), Regional Plant Quarantine Station (RPQS- MoA&FW),
State Agriculture Department (Govt of Maharashtra), NRC Pomegranate, US
Consulate and InI Farms.
Last
year APEDA successfully carried out an air shipment of pomegranates with
irradiation treatment and static trial in association with ICAR-NRC Pomegranate
Solapur as technical partner. Based on the successful result of the static
trial, APEDA aimed for a successful sign off for this consignment via sea
opening trade relations to potential markets for Indian pomegranates.
India, one of the largest producers of pomegranates
in the world and is also now aiming to be amongst the top pomegranate exporting
countries in the world. India is a key player growing in the EU, Middle East
and Asian Markets.
The
trial air shipment, static sea trial and the sea container were executed by
APEDA registered InI Farms - a top exporter of fruits and vegetables from India
with their produce being exported to over 25 countries worldwide. Over the
years, the firm has made extensive efforts to enhance the quality and shelf
life of Pomegranates to meet the strict standards of the global markets. As
part of the Agrostar group, InI Farms has established a value chain for pomegranates
by working directly with farmers in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and
Rajasthan.
The
fruit was sourced from Anarnet registered farmers from Sangola in Maharashtra.
Significantly, the premium received by farmers was 20% compared to other export
markets and 35% compared to domestic market.
Pomegranate is an important agri-produce of India, the rich history associated with fruit and its nutrition value contribute to its popular demand. India produces some of the best varieties of Pomegranate in terms of quality with soft fleshy seeds, low acidity and attractive color. Bhagwa Pomegranate is considered amongst the best varieties around the world. In the last decade, India has increased the area as well as the production of Pomegranate and seen an increase in exports. In the pomegranate market, India holds a significant advantage of being able to supply pomegranates throughout the year with trained farmer for expert quality product. pomegranate production in the recent years has been growing at a healthy rate of 20-25%. In India, the major pomegranate producing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh with Maharashtra contributing to more than 50% of the production share.
APEDA
has facilitated pomegranates exports worth $58.36 Million in 2022-23 to United
Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Bahrain, and Oman.
APEDA
has been actively working on improving the supply chain bottlenecks for pomegranates
export; the establishment of Export Promotion Forums (EPF) for pomegranate is
an impetus to exports of Pomegranates. The EPF has representatives of the
Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, state governments, national
referral laboratories and top ten leading exporters of the product. The
initiative taken by APEDA for sea consignment will build trust between Indian
exporters and foreign importers in regards to quality assurance.