APEDA facilitates first export of J&K Areko cherries, Scentrose plums to UAE
New Delhi, July 5
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has facilitated the first export shipment of premium Areko cherries and Scentrose plums from Jammu and Kashmir to the United Arab Emirates, with the agency saying the move will open new international market opportunities for growers and improve their earnings.
According to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry release, the consignment comprised one metric tonne of premium stone fruits sourced from farmers in Shopian and Pulwama districts and was shipped to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The export of Areko cherries and Scentrose plums to the UAE marks another step towards expanding India's fresh fruit exports and enhancing farmers' income, it said.
Congratulating the farmers and the exporter, APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said, "Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as an important hub for premium horticultural produce with immense export potential."
He added, "APEDA remains committed to facilitating market access for farmers through export promotion initiatives, quality enhancement and global buyer outreach. The export of Areko Cherries and Scentrose Plums to the UAE reflects the growing international demand for India's premium fruits and will create new opportunities for growers while contributing to higher incomes through better price realisation."
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry release said the export initiative is expected to benefit farmers by providing access to premium international markets and ensuring better price realisation.
It said growers associated with the export supply chain realised "nearly 60 per cent higher returns for cherries and 120 per cent higher returns for plums compared to prevailing domestic market prices," demonstrating the value created through export-led market access.
The release said the successful shipment is expected to create new export opportunities for growers in Shopian and Pulwama, encourage wider adoption of export-oriented production practices and strengthen the global presence of Jammu and Kashmir's premium stone fruits.
According to the release, APEDA continues to promote exports of agricultural produce through market linkage initiatives, quality assurance support, buyer outreach programmes and export facilitation measures.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Glad to see APEDA working properly. But I hope this isn't just another photo-op headline. The real test will be if small farmers can actually access these premium markets consistently, not just the big growers who have connections. Need transparent supply chains.
Finally! Kashmir's cherries are world-class. I've had them locally and they're far superior to many imports. This is long overdue. Next step should be markets in Europe and Southeast Asia. Let's see our horticulture get its due globally. 🚀🇮🇳
While this is positive, let's also talk about the logistics. Fruit exports need cold chain infrastructure, and Jammu & Kashmir has been neglected on that front for decades. Unless we invest in packhouses, ripening chambers, and refrigerated transport, this will remain a small-scale affair. Hope APEDA follows up with real infrastructure support.
UAE is a good start, but the real prize is Europe and the Gulf states with bigger populations. Also, why not focus on branding them as 'Kashmir Valley Premium' - that name itself sells. We export Darjeeling tea, basmati, Alphonso mangoes - add Kashmiri cherries and plums to that list now! Great news indeed. 👍
The 60-120% higher returns are eye-opening. This is exactly the kind of 'vocal for local but global for profit' model we need. But hope the farmers aren't pressured into monocropping for exports and can still sell domestically. Diversification keeps them safe. Good step overall.
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