India exports Neelam, Totapuri mangoes to Maldives for first time
New Delhi, July 31
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of Karnataka's Neelam and Totapuri mangoes to the Maldives to promote India's late-season mango varieties in overseas markets, an official statement said on Friday.
The one-metric-tonne consignment was flagged off on July 30 by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev and was sourced directly from farmers associated with Prakruthimaya Farmers Producer Company Ltd. in Kolar district of Karnataka, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.
The shipment was exported by Ahalya Devi Ventures, led by entrepreneur Ashwini A, highlighting the growing participation of women-led businesses in India's agricultural exports.
According to APEDA, the initiative is expected to strengthen India's mango export basket by expanding the global reach of Karnataka's late-season varieties, which are harvested from late June to the end of July.
Neelam mangoes are known for their sweet, juicy pulp and rich aroma, while Totapuri is valued for its distinctive shape, sweet-tangy taste and suitability for both fresh consumption and food processing.
The government further noted that export also demonstrates the growing role of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in connecting farmers with international markets through organised aggregation, quality production and export-oriented supply chains.
It said farmers associated with the FPC realised more than 50 per cent higher returns through the export initiative compared to conventional domestic market channels, underlining the benefits of direct procurement and stronger export linkages.
The development is expected to encourage greater participation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), FPCs, exporters and agri-entrepreneurs in tapping global markets for premium horticultural produce.
Moreover, APEDA will continue working with state governments, exporters and farmer organisations to strengthen export infrastructure, improve market access and promote Indian fruits and other agricultural products in international markets.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, our late-season varieties are getting the spotlight! Neelam mangoes are a household favorite in Karnataka, and it's great that they're now being introduced in international markets. More than 50% higher returns for farmers is fantastic. Hope this expands to more countries.
This is quite interesting. India's agricultural exports are gradually diversifying into niche markets. Linking farmer producer companies directly with export-oriented supply chains seems to be a sustainable model for growth.
Happy to see the push for FPCs and women entrepreneurs in agri-exports! But I hope we also focus on strengthening logistics and cold chains, otherwise these small batches won't scale up. Still, good starting point 🇮🇳
I've tasted Totapuri mangoes – they're great for chutneys and juices. Nice to see them exported rather than just being sold locally. The diversity of Indian mango varieties is truly special.
Bahut achha! Kolar farmers deserve this recognition. But we need to look beyond just the Maldives – there’s a huge market in the Gulf and even Europe for these varieties. Slowly but surely, we are making progress.
M Matthew K Solid move We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.