The export has enabled farmers to realise nearly 50 per cent higher prices compared to local markets, reinforcing the income-enhancing potential of structured agri-exports.

Odisha’s farmers have taken a significant step towards global market integration with the first-time export of 51 kg of fresh strawberries from Dhenkanal district to London, United Kingdom. The consignment was dispatched during the district-level Flower Show held in Dhenkanal. Beyond opening new international market pathways, the export has enabled farmers to realise nearly 50 per cent higher prices compared to local markets, reinforcing the income-enhancing potential of structured agri-exports.

The strawberries were cultivated and aggregated by Saptasajya Agro Producer Company Limited, a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) from Dhenkanal, demonstrating the strength of organised farmer collectives in producing export-quality horticultural crops.

The export was supported by the Directorate of Horticulture under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE) through the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organization (PSFPO) project, supported by Gates Foundation and implemented by Palladium, with support from APEDA and the World Trade Center (WTC). Facilitation support was also extended by the Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM), enabling farmers to access structured and premium market opportunities.

This export is particularly significant as fresh strawberries from Odisha have reached overseas markets for the first time, underscoring the state’s growing diversification into premium, high-value horticultural crops and the increasing confidence of farmers in meeting stringent international quality and compliance standards.

The consignment was flagged off by the Collector and District Magistrate, Dhenkanal, Ashish Ishwar Patil, who expressed his excitement over the achievement and described it as an outstanding milestone for the district. “He acknowledged the critical support provided by Palladium under the PSFPO project in enabling farmer collectives to access international markets and stated that such initiatives would further accelerate agri-export activities in the coming years. He also assured that the district administration would extend full support to scale up similar farmer-led export initiatives.”

The flag-off ceremony was attended by the Deputy Director of Horticulture (DDH), Dhenkanal, Shri Debaprasad Routray; Assistant Engineer, Agriculture, Shri Ashutosh Behera; Shri Sudiptee Ranjan Biswal, Director, Saptasajya Agro Producer Company Limited; and representatives of Palladium, highlighting the strong inter-departmental and institutional collaboration behind this milestone.

Such initiatives open new income avenues for farmers, strengthen rural enterprises, and position Odisha as a competitive supplier of fresh horticultural produce in global markets.

Strawberries are widely valued for their freshness, rich nutritional profile, and antioxidant properties, with strong demand across premium fresh fruit, food processing, and hospitality sectors worldwide. Their successful export reflects a strategic focus on crops that offer higher returns to farmers while responding to global demand for safe, nutritious, and responsibly sourced produce.