The first shipment of Indian pomegranates from Mumbai to Melbourne, Australia, was successfully completed, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said on Thursday.

As per APEDA in its statement, the export (made on August 31) not only proves India’s ability to meet global quality standards but also provides significant support to Indian farmers by opening up new sources of income.

The consignment was successfully cleared in Melbourne and was showcased at Fine Food Australia 2024 at the APEDA India Pavilion, further underlining the global appeal of Indian pomegranates. The 1.1 metric ton (MT) consignment consisted of 336 boxes (each weighing 3.5 kg).

During fiscal year 2023-24, India exported 72,011 tonnes of pomegranates worth $69.08 million to markets like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bahrain and Oman.

In 2020, Australia granted market access to Indian pomegranates, allowing Indian farmers to tap into a lucrative new market.

India, being the second largest producer of horticultural crops, records the largest production of pomegranates in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

APEDA, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has announced the establishment of Export Promotion Forums (EPFs) specifically dedicated to pomegranates, aimed at boosting exports and removing bottlenecks in the supply chain.

The government’s commitment to promoting the export of fresh fruits and vegetables, despite their perishable nature, is evident in the development of maritime protocols aimed at preserving the product’s characteristics when exported to distant destinations.

“This initiative not only strengthens India’s position in global markets but also directly supports Indian farmers by creating sustainable export opportunities,” APEDA said.

The pomegranates have been carefully packed at an Australian approved packaging facility in Ahmednagar, ensuring they meet the rigorous quality standards required by international markets.

(Based on data from IANS)