The consignment was air-shipped from the Vashi market in Navi Mumbai to New York as part of a pilot project
In partnership with the National Plant Protection Organisation of India, US-APHIS, the Maharashtra government, and the Agriculture Marketing Board and National Research Centre on Pomegranate, APEDA facilitated the export of the first trial consignment of pomegranate to the US by air route. The shipment, consisting of 150 boxes (450 kg) of the ‘Bhagwa’ variety of pomegranate with high antioxidant content from Maharashtra, was transported by APEDA-registered INI farms, one of the largest exporters of fruits and vegetables in India. Bhagwa, the most popular pomegranate variety in India, has gained significant demand. The consignment was air-shipped from the Vashi market in Navi Mumbai to New York as part of a pilot project.
In 2017-18, the US banned Indian pomegranate due to concerns over fruit fly infestation in the pomegranate seeds. However, after the Indian government’s efforts to address the issue with the US, the ban was lifted in 2022 once quality standards were met.
According to APEDA, Indian pomegranate production is growing at a rate of 20 to 25 per cent annually, with increasing demand both domestically and in the export market. India is a significant player in destinations such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and is known for its unique pomegranate varieties. UAE is the largest importer of Indian pomegranates, accounting for approximately 32 per cent of Indian global exports. As India produces pomegranates year-round, its production basket is larger than in other countries.
