India Expands Banana Export to Russia Through APEDA Facilitation

In a bid to bolster its agricultural exports, India has taken a significant stride in shipping bananas to Russia via sea, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). This move marks a promising venture into the Russian market, tapping into its growing interest in tropical fruits from India.

On February 17, 2024, APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev oversaw the flagging off of a consignment comprising 20 metric tons of bananas, amounting to 1540 boxes, from Maharashtra. The initiative, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Sub-tropical Horticulture (CISH), emphasized the utilization of sea protocols developed by CISH to ensure the fruit’s quality during transit.

Encouraging exporters to explore innovative shipping methods, Chairman Dev highlighted APEDA’s support, including financial assistance schemes tailored to aid women entrepreneurs in the field. The involvement of M/s. Gurukrupa Corporation Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based exporter, underscores the commitment to diversifying export avenues.

Russia’s expressed interest in procuring bananas from India signals a shift from its reliance on imports primarily sourced from Ecuador in Latin America. India, a major producer of bananas, eyes a broader global market beyond traditional destinations like Iran, Iraq, and the UAE.

With Andhra Pradesh leading banana production in India, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, the nation aims to leverage its agricultural prowess for substantial export growth. Despite India’s significant banana production share globally, its export footprint remains modest, capturing only 1% of the market.

However, ambitious targets set for the next five years envision India’s banana exports reaching USD 1 billion, promising a boon for farmers and the employment sector. APEDA’s strategic initiatives, including B2B exhibitions and market exploration campaigns, underscore its commitment to promoting agricultural exports.

The successful export of bananas to Russia marks a milestone in India’s agricultural export diversification efforts, propelled by APEDA’s proactive measures. As India strides towards becoming a key player in global agricultural trade, the development of efficient shipping protocols remains crucial in sustaining export momentum.