Himachal pomegranates, Arunachal kiwis reach Dubai; pomegranate growers get 50% higher price

A new route is opening in foreign markets for Indian fruit. Fresh consignments of pomegranates from Himachal Pradesh and kiwis from Arunachal Pradesh have reached Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The exports were made possible with the support of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of the Centre. It is hoped that this will open new doors in foreign markets for the country's farmers.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced this on Tuesday. According to the ministry, APEDA helped send 1.3 metric tonnes of Sindhuri-variety pomegranates from Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh to Dubai. Similarly, a trial consignment of 1.5 metric tonnes of kiwi was sent to Dubai from Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh.

The pomegranate consignment comprised 650 boxes of 2 kg each. It was exported by Amama Exports, a company from Uttar Pradesh. The venture links local growers and a farmer producer organisation (FPO) with the exporter. This has given fruit growers in Himachal Pradesh a chance to reach the international market.

The pomegranates were bought directly from local farmers and the Bhuntar FPO, which has about 600 farmers associated with it. The Kullu district horticulture administration helped with procurement and coordination. The ministry said farmers who took part in the export received a price 50 per cent higher than the prevailing rate in the domestic market.

Sindhuri is considered the main pomegranate variety in Himachal Pradesh. Bhagwa and Kandhari varieties are also grown. The Sindhuri pomegranate has an attractive red skin, juicy seeds and a sweet-sour taste. Because of these qualities, demand for it is likely to build in the fresh fruit market.

Meanwhile, the 1.5-metric-tonne kiwi consignment sent from Arunachal Pradesh has also reached Dubai successfully. It has been put on sale at the Lulu Hypermarket in Al Qusais. The initiative will be important in gauging the response the fruit gets in the international market.

A branding campaign called "Kiwi: Arunachal Pradesh's USP" is under way at the initiative of the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, promoting kiwi production in the state. Run with the state government's support, the campaign aims to win Arunachal kiwi a place in the international market, learn customers' response and increase export opportunities for local growers.

The weather and natural conditions in the high-altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh are described as suitable for kiwi cultivation. The quality and taste of the kiwi grown there are said to be special. Hayward, Monty, Allison and Bruno varieties are grown in the state, of which Hayward is in good demand in the international market.

The trial export is an attempt to connect local kiwi growers with foreign markets. Plans for further exports will be made after studying the response of Dubai customers and what exports require. This will give local growers additional options for selling and is likely to raise their incomes.