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HomePosts Tagged "Purnima Khandelwal"
Agribusiness, Fruits, Horticulture, India, Opinions

By Purnima Khandelwal, CRO, Output business, AgroStar Group

With its extensive fruit production base and improvements in quality control, India is in a strong position to increase its market share internationally. Through the adoption of these trends and the utilisation of its innate advantages, the Indian fruit export industry might potentially achieve unparalleled expansion and make a substantial contribution to the global food chain. 2025 will see a dynamic fruit export business characterised by innovation, sustainability, and a customer-focused mindset.  

India’s horticulture sector is gaining global recognition, with its produce now more widely accepted in international markets. This progress results from significant advancements in cold chain infrastructure, quality assurance protocols, and collaborative efforts from both the public and private sectors. According to the FAO (2022), India is the world leader in the production of bananas (25.56 per cent), mangoes (44.46 per cent), and papayas (38.64 per cent), positioning the country with a strong production base and vast export potential.

India exported fresh fruits and vegetables worth Rs 15,039.27 crore ($1,814.58 million), including Rs 8,178.22 crore ($986.32 million) in fresh fruits and Rs 6,861.05 crore ($828.26 million) in vegetables in the 2023-24 fiscal year. With such a solid foundation, India’s horticultural exporters are poised for significant growth, which is crucial in elevating India’s standing in the global market. The global fruit export industry is undergoing a transformation driven by evolving consumer preferences, innovations in logistics, and an increasing focus on sustainability.

As we enter 2025, the fruit export market continues to evolve, presenting opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. Below are the key trends shaping the industry in 2025.

1. Commerce ministry’s push for exports and increasing role of enablers like APEDA: The Indian Commerce Ministry has recently intensified its efforts to boost exports of fresh fruits and vegetables, targeting key markets such as the US, the EU, and African countries. Aiming to double agricultural exports to $100 billion by 2030, the government is focusing on harnessing the potential of emerging markets across Africa while consolidating India’s position in established markets like Europe and North America. To ensure Indian produce meets international standards and reaches global markets efficiently, bodies like the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) play a vital role. APEDA is instrumental in streamlining the export process by implementing quality assurance measures, providing infrastructure subsidies, and facilitating compliance with global regulations. This shift is encouraging farmers to diversify from traditional crops to high-value cash crops, enhancing their income and contributing to addressing trade imbalances.

To read more click on:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Purnima Khandelwal, CRO, Output business, AgroStar

Horticulture, India, Start ups

Agrostar group and LuLu Group are already working on pomegranates and Guavas to bring Indian fruits to the supermarkets and hypermarkets of the LuLu Group in the Middle East.

In a landmark development for the Indian F&V/horticulture sector, INI Farms, part of the AgroStar group, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LuLu Group International, to build a direct farm-to-retail partnership for the Indian Cavendish Bananas. This is a further extension to a long-term partnership between the two groups already working on pomegranates and Guavas to bring Indian fruits to the supermarkets and hypermarkets of the LuLu Group in the Middle East.

The MoU signing on 23 January 2024, is a groundbreaking moment for Indian Banana exports as it marks the direct servicing of a reputed large global retailer like LuLu Group International by an Indian F&V Brand. The event kicked off earlier in the day with the Flag-Off of the first container from INI Farms’ packhouse in Baramati to LuLu Group UAE, followed by the MoU signing event at Pune, ushering in a new era of partnership and progress in the Indian F&V export business. The event was graced with the presence of Salim M.A., Director, LuLu Group International along with dignitaries such as Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Dr Brajesh Mishra, Head, Regional Plant Quarantine Station, Mumbai, along with other senior representatives from NABARD, Aavishkaar Group and Maharashtra Agriculture department.  

Under this strategic partnership, INI Farms working with the AgroStar network of farmers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, will adhere to the highest standards of quality required for its products to be in global supermarkets and ensure a year-round supply to meet the demand of the LuLu’s end consumers. The partnership highlights the capabilities of the AgroStar group to serve Indian farmers across the value chain and fulfill the quality expectations of customers across the world. AgroStar’s tech capability, strong farmer relationships, agronomy expertise and wide range of agri input products combined with INI Farms’ strong sourcing, post-harvest & supply chain capabilities and its global network of customers/retailers gives the AgroStar group a unique advantage in India’s AgTech landscape.

Sharing her thoughts on the momentous occasion, Purnima Khandelwal, CEO, INI Farms said, “This MoU is a significant milestone not just in the journey of INI Farms, but also for Banana and Guava farmers across the country. We are excited about the prospect of directly servicing a highly reputed global retailer like LuLu and ensuring the highest quality of Indian bananas and Guavas from our farms to their retail shelves. We are grateful for the faith and trust shown by LuLu Group and excited about the opportunities this collaboration can bring for Indian farmers.”

Speaking during the event, Shardul Sheth, Co-founder and CEO, AgroStar said: “INI Farms has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. Last year, we witnessed landmark developments like the first Indian consignment of our ‘Kimaye’ branded bananas being shipped to the Netherlands and becoming a pioneer in the industry to successfully ship great quality pomegranates to the USA among other achievements. Our collaboration with LuLu Group International is yet another important milestone and a testament to our capability to be able to supply F&V products of global quality standards to marquee retailers and end customers around the globe and our passion to continue to build deep and meaningful relationships servicing the seed to market linkage needs of our farmers.

Sharing his thoughts during the event, Salim M.A., Director, LuLu Group International said, “This MoU is not just a trade deal, it is about celebrating the rich agricultural diversity of our nation and supporting our hardworking farmers. LuLu Group International aims to be the pioneer in sustainable agriculture and set new standards in quality and innovation. We have been working with INI Farms for close to a decade and this MoU further strengthens our collaboration. Together, in collaboration with our farmers and partners we will explore new markets and contribute to the growth of the agriculture sector. This MoU is a milestone and I’m confident that our partnership will be marked by success.”

Dr. Sudhashu, Secretary, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industries shared his thoughts at the event, “The MoU signing, and Flag-Off event marks a historic moment for the Indian AgTech industry, representing a leap toward making banana exports the first billion-dollar fruit out of India in the next couple of years.”

Agrostar group and LuLu Group are already

Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups, Supply Chain, Trade

The success of this trial shipment promises to unlock fresh prospects for Indian banana farmers in a market as quality conscious as Europe.

 AgroStar, one of India’s foremost AgTech start-ups, working on the mission of Helping Farmers Win, is proud to announce a significant milestone achieved by its subsidiary, INI Farms. In an encouraging development for banana farmers in India, the first consignment of INI Farms’ ‘Kimaye’ branded bananas has been shipped to Fresh Del Monte in Europe, opening new horizons for the export of fresh Indian fruits.

The pilot was executed by INI Farms in collaboration with Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), along with support from ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow for technical assistance, Fresh Del Monte for marketing and distribution in Europe, and Maersk for logistics. The export venture was flagged off on 9th November by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev from Baramati, Maharashtra.

Over the years, APEDA-registered INI Farms has earned a reputation for its strong sourcing infrastructure with inbuilt SOPs and enhanced the quality and shelf life of bananas to meet the stringent requirements of the European market.

Sharing her thoughts on the momentous occasion, Purnima Khandelwal, CEO, INI Farms said, “We are delighted to partake in this trial shipment aimed at cementing India’s presence in the banana trade in Europe. The success of this trial shipment promises to unlock fresh prospects for our banana farmers in a market as quality conscious as Europe.

Over the years, our brand ‘Kimaye’ has become a well-known global consumer F&V brand out of India, synonymous with great quality and food safety. We are proud to join hands with thousands of banana farmers across India as we cater to the growing global demand for Indian bananas.”

Shardul Sheth, Co-founder & CEO, AgroStar, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “India is the largest producer of bananas in the world. We see massive opportunities in banana exports and its potential to transform the lives of banana farmers across the country. We are committed to working closely with our farmers and partners and make it the first billion-dollar revenue fruit category from India.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to APEDA, ICAR, and all our cherished partners. Their unwavering support and invaluable contributions have been pivotal in steering us towards this momentous occasion.”

“We are proud to be the first company to market and distribute Indian bananas in Europe and to be a member of the partnership that made this happen,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Opening a new source of bananas to the entire European continent is a huge milestone and we hope this is just the beginning. We see this as a win-win for all parties involved, including consumers and banana growers across India. Thank you to our partners in this endeavour whose expertise in various sectors made this possible.”

The success of this trial shipment promises