In a sweet breakthrough for India’s horticultural exports, the first-ever consignment of rose-scented litchis from Pathankot, Punjab, was successfully shipped to Doha, Qatar, and Dubai, UAE, on June 23, 2025. This milestone marks a major step in India’s agri-export journey, showcasing premium fruit varieties on global shelves.
The shipment was jointly flagged off by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Department of Horticulture, Punjab, under the broader support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Key Highlights:
- 1 metric tonne of rose-scented litchi exported to Qatar, and 0.5 metric tonnes to UAE from Pathankot.
- Sourced from progressive farmer Mr. Prabhat Singh of Sujanpur, ensuring traceable and premium quality.
- Shipment supported by APEDA, Punjab Horticulture Dept., and retail giant Lulu Group.
- Punjab contributed 71,490 MT (12.39%) to India’s total litchi production in FY24, as per the National Horticulture Board.
- India’s fruit and vegetable exports touched ₹33,085 crore (US$ 3.87 billion) in FY25 — up 5.67% YoY.
- While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges dominate, new heroes like litchi, cherries, and jamun are gaining traction globally.
Why It Matters:
This dual-export event not only highlights India’s growing global footprint in high-value horticultural products but also opens up new revenue channels for farmers, especially in northern states like Punjab. It reflects the success of India’s targeted agri-export policies, value-chain support from APEDA, and collaboration with private players.
“This shipment is a testament to the export potential of Indian fruits beyond traditional varieties,” said an official from APEDA. “We aim to continuously strengthen global linkages for our farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.”