India’s fruit exports expand into western markets with GI tags driving growth

India’s agricultural exports have reached new markets under the Modi government, with shipments of fruits entering Western countries for the first time and rice exports recording substantial growth, boosting farmers’ incomes.

A senior agriculture ministry official stated that these exports, ranging from exotic fruits to traditional staples, align with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to create new opportunities for Indian farmers.

In a recent milestone, India shipped its first consignments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates to Australia via sea. This development is expected to enable bulk exports at lower transport costs, expanding India’s fresh fruit market in Australia and strengthening its presence in global supply chains.

Indian pomegranates have already gained popularity in Western markets following the trial shipment of Bhagwa pomegranates to the United States in 2023. Maharashtra’s Solapur district accounts for nearly 50% of the country’s pomegranate exports.

The official noted that the government’s Geographical Indication (GI) tagging has played a key role in promoting India’s distinctive fruits. For instance, Purandar figs, known for their unique taste and texture, are gaining traction in Europe. In 2024, India exported its first ready-to-drink fig juice made from Purandar figs to Poland, following an earlier shipment to Germany in 2022.

In 2022, India also exported the first consignment of GI-tagged “Vazhakulam Pineapple” from Kerala’s Ernakulam district to Dubai and Sharjah, opening up new opportunities for pineapple farmers.

As part of efforts to diversify fruit exports, India shipped its fibre- and mineral-rich dragon fruit, locally known as ‘Kamalam,’ to London and Bahrain in 2021. The consignment to London was sourced from Gujarat’s Kutch region, while the shipment to Bahrain came from West Midnapore, West Bengal.

The northeastern region has also gained from this export drive. In 2021, India exported its first shipment of Burmese grapes, known as ‘leteku’ in Assamese, from Guwahati to Dubai. The same year, fresh jackfruit from Tripura was shipped to Germany, marking the first export of its kind. Additionally, a consignment of ‘Raja Mircha,’ also known as king chilli, from Nagaland was exported to London via Guwahati despite the challenges posed by its perishable nature.

India’s rice exports have also seen robust growth. In 2021, the first consignment of iron-rich ‘red rice,’ grown without chemical fertilizers in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley, was exported to the United States. Known locally as ‘Bao-dhaan,’ red rice is a staple in Assamese cuisine.

The latest data shows that India’s total rice exports rose by 44.61% to $1.37 billion in January 2025, compared to $0.95 billion in January 2024. This growth has made rice one of the leading contributors to India’s merchandise exports, reflecting the strength of the country’s agricultural sector.