APEDA Facilitates First Commercial Sea Shipment of Indian Pomegranates to USA

Key Highlights

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has successfully facilitated the first commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates to the USA.
• The shipment originated from Maharashtra, India.
• It consisted of 4,620 boxes of the Indian Bhagwa variety of pomegranates, weighing approximately 14 tons.
• The shipment reached the U.S. East Coast in the second week of March, within five weeks of departure.

Significance

• This event marks a significant milestone for India’s fresh fruit exports.
• Represents a successful expansion of market access for Indian pomegranates in the USA.

Collaborative Efforts

• The success was achieved through collaboration between APEDA and several organizations:
  • United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • National Plant Protection Organization
  • National Research Centre for Pomegranate, Solapur

Previous Trials and Developments

• Prior to the commercial shipment, a trial shipment was conducted by air.
• APEDA collaborated with ICAR-National Research Centre for Pomegranate to enhance the shelf life of pomegranates up to 60 days.
• This trial's success paved the way for the first commercial sea shipment.

Additional Information

• The shipment was a result of India gaining market access for pomegranates in the USA during the 2023 season.