In the next five years, India wants to export fresh bananas for $1 billion

 In the next five years, India wants to export fresh bananas for $1 billion

 In the next five years, India wants to export fresh bananas for $1 billion

Currently, the majority of fruits are shipped from India by air because of their limited supply and varying ripening times.

After successfully transporting fresh bananas by sea to the Netherlands, India now wants to boost banana exports to $1 billion USD over the next five years, according to an official.

Currently, the majority of fruits are shipped from India by air because of their limited supply and varying ripening times.

India is creating marine regulations for fresh produce, including bananas, mangoes, pomegranates, and jackfruits, to boost their exports via sea routes and improve volume.

The procedures involve knowing the trip duration, comprehending these commodities' ripening from a scientific standpoint, harvesting at a certain time, and educating the farmers. These guidelines will vary depending on the kind of fruit or vegetable.

These guidelines for bananas were created by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in cooperation with other stakeholders. APEDA is a division within the Ministry of Commerce.

India hopes to export bananas valued at over US$1 billion over the next five years, thanks to the successful trial shipment, which will allow it to access a wider range of markets via the maritime route, the official said.

On December 5, the testing cargo reached Rotterdam, Netherlands. The shipment originated in Baramati, Maharashtra.

According to the official, key international players including the US, Russia, Japan, Germany, China, the Netherlands, the UK, and France are among the countries to which India exports bananas, in addition to the Middle East.

Even though India produces more bananas than any other nation in the world—26.45% of the world's 35.36 million metric tons of banana production—its export share of the global market is now barely 1%.

India is projected to export 0.36 million metric tons (or USD 176 million) of bananas in 2022–2023.

The states that produce the most bananas are Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh has enormous potential for banana exports, according to assistant professor and agricultural economics specialist Chirala Shankar Rao.

According to the official, APEDA's ongoing initiatives, such as B2B shows and the creation of marine standards for other fruits, demonstrate a proactive strategy to support India's agricultural exports.