India sets an Export target of 1 billion dollars for bananas

India has set a target of exporting One billion US dollars worth bananas in the next five years after the export of trial shipment of the fruit from Baramati in Maharashtra to Netherlands recently through the sea route according to media reports

Banana exports from India are currently taking place through expensive air freight due to low volumes and different ripening periods in various parts of the country. The volumes are bound to increase once it took the sea route where the freights are low

India is developing sea protocols for fresh fruits and vegetables like bananas, mangoes, pomegranates and jackfruit to promote their exports through ocean routes, in a bid to increase volumes

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), along with other stakeholders, has developed these protocols for bananas. APEDA is an arm of the commerce ministry.

"With the successful trial shipment, India aims to export bananas worth over USD one billion in the next five years, opening doors to a diversified market portfolio through sea route," the official said.

The trial shipment reached Rotterdam, Netherlands on December 5. The consignment was shipped from Baramati, Maharashtra.

India's banana export destinations extend beyond the Middle East, with potential opportunities in major global players like the USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, China, the Netherlands, the UK, and France.

Despite being the world's largest banana producer, India's export share is currently just one per cent in the global market, even though the country accounts for 26.45 per cent of the world's banana production at 35.36 million metric tons.

India exported bananas worth USD 176 million US dollars, equivalent to 0.36 MMT during the last financial year. The main banana producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.