Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 5: India’s fruit and vegetable exports have witnessed an extraordinary surge of 47.3% in volume between the financial years 2019-20 and 2023-24, according to the ministry of commerce & industry. This remarkable growth has been driven by the strategic financial assistance provided by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the department of commerce.
In an official statement, the ministry highlighted, “APEDA’s financial assistance schemes have been pivotal in boosting India’s fruit and vegetable exports, contributing to a 47.3% surge in global demand.”
APEDA has played a key role in empowering exporters through its Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme, offering financial aid to set up world-class export infrastructure, including:
• Packhouses with modern grading and packing lines
• Pre-cooling units and advanced cold storage facilities
• Refrigerated transportation for maintaining freshness
• Specialized treatment units like irradiation, vapor heat treatment, and hot water dip facilities
These facilities ensure that Indian produce meets global quality benchmarks, enhancing its competitiveness in international markets.
To further elevate product standards, APEDA extends support for:
• Acquiring laboratory testing equipment for rigorous quality checks
• Implementing quality management systems
• Utilizing smart devices for real-time farm data tracking
• Conducting tests for water quality, soil health, and pesticide residues to comply with the strict regulations of importing nations
APEDA also actively promotes Indian produce on global platforms through:
• Participation in international trade fairs
• Organizing buyer-seller meets
• Enhancing packaging standards to attract international buyers
In FY 2023-24, India’s fresh fruits and vegetables reached an impressive 123 countries. Over the last three years, Indian produce has successfully entered 17 new international markets, including:
• Brazil
• Georgia
• Uganda
• Papua New Guinea
• Czech Republic
• Ghana
To strengthen market penetration, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW) and APEDA have identified key products and target countries for strategic trade negotiations. Additionally, special efforts are being made to develop sea transport protocols to reduce logistics costs and support larger export volumes.
The ministry emphasized, “Developing sea protocols for horticultural products will significantly cut logistic expenses while enabling a higher volume of exports.”
APEDA maintains regular dialogues with importing country authorities, supported by Indian diplomatic missions worldwide. These discussions focus on:
• Facility registration for export compliance
• Adherence to phyto-sanitary regulations to meet international safety and quality standards
With these proactive initiatives, APEDA continues to be a driving force in strengthening India’s agricultural exports, positioning Indian fruits and vegetables as premium products in global markets.