First trial shipment of fresh pomegranate exported to US: Commerce ministry

livemint.com:

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s fruit exports prospects, the commerce ministry on Tuesday said the first trial shipment of fresh pomegranate has been sent to the US through airways. The shipment was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev said that the increase in pomegranate exports to the US would result in higher price realisation and increase in farmers‘ income.

There has been encouraging response from the importers of the pomegranate shipment. The trial shipment of pomegranate was carried out by the APEDA registered ‘INI Farms’, which are among the top exporters of fruits and vegetables from India. It has built a value chain of banana and pomegranate by working directly with farmers.

As a part of Agrostar group, complete services from agronomy, agri-inputs and off-take is provided to farmers with the produce exported to over 35 countries across the world. ‘’As the long-distance market and high cost was prohibitive in commencing commercial operations, the export of trial shipment of pomegranate would help in building capacities among Indian exporters and US importers by ensuring that quality fruits are exported,‘’ the ministry said. Buoyed by the acceptance of Indian mangoes in the US, exporters are hopeful that pomegranate would also script a similar success story.