India expands global fruit and vegetable exports by 47.3% in four years

India's fruit and vegetable exports grew by 47.3% in volume between 2019-20 and 2023-24, according to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This increase is largely due to financial support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which operates under the Department of Commerce.

Through the Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme, APEDA provides funding for essential export infrastructure such as packhouses, pre-cooling units, cold storage, and treatment facilities to help meet international quality standards.

Additionally, APEDA supports quality improvement by funding laboratory equipment, quality management systems, and data-tracking devices. Testing for water, soil, and pesticide residues ensures products comply with strict import regulations.

To boost global reach, APEDA helps exporters participate in international trade fairs, connect with buyers, and improve packaging standards. As a result, Indian fruits and vegetables were exported to 123 countries in 2023-24, entering 17 new markets over the past three years, including Brazil, Georgia, and Ghana.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and APEDA are also working to identify key export products and target countries for trade negotiations. Efforts are underway to develop sea transport protocols, which will reduce logistics costs and enable higher export volumes.

source: aninews.in

photo: timesofindia.indiatimes.com