The first commercial shipment of Ladakh’s premium Raktsey apricots to the UAE signals a major leap in India’s high-value horticultural exports, with plans to scale shipments to over 1,000 metric tonnes this season

Ladakh has taken a significant step towards expanding its horticultural exports with the launch of its first commercial shipment of fresh Raktsey apricots to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the region’s entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing premium fresh produce markets. The inaugural consignment of five metric tonnes was flagged off from Ladakh Bhawan in New Delhi under a strategic export partnership signed earlier this year between the Union Territory administration and UAE-based retail major Lulu Group.

The initiative is expected to transform the commercial prospects of Ladakh’s iconic apricot variety by creating direct access to international consumers while enhancing farmgate returns for growers. The export programme aims to position the high-altitude fruit as a premium global offering, leveraging its distinctive flavour, sweetness and nutritional profile developed under Ladakh’s unique climatic conditions.

The agreement envisions the export of more than 1,000 metric tonnes of apricots during the current harvest season, representing a dramatic increase from the modest export volumes recorded over the past two years. The scale-up reflects a coordinated effort to integrate Ladakh’s horticulture sector into international supply chains through organised procurement, logistics and market access.

Under the export model, participating farmers focus exclusively on orchard management and harvesting, while exporters undertake post-harvest operations including sorting, grading, packaging, transportation and overseas marketing. The arrangement is designed to reduce logistical burdens on growers while ensuring quality standards required by export markets.

To support seamless movement of fresh produce, the Ladakh administration has established a dedicated monitoring mechanism to oversee the transportation of apricots from orchards to Delhi. Efforts are also underway to facilitate faster transit through green corridor arrangements and improved logistics infrastructure, enabling consignments to reach export gateways within two to three days and preserving fruit quality.

Beyond fresh exports, the administration is prioritising value addition to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Ladakh’s horticulture sector. Plans are being pursued to establish a world-class apricot processing facility within the Union Territory, addressing challenges related to perishability while creating opportunities for processed products with longer shelf life and higher export value.

The initiative has been supported through collaboration among the Ladakh administration, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and Lulu Group. The partnership is expected to create a sustainable export ecosystem for one of Ladakh’s most distinctive horticultural products, opening new income opportunities for growers while enhancing India’s presence in premium international fruit markets.