Page 14 - FPM May 2025

14 NEWS May 2025
Food Processing News Today
APEDA facilitates Ist shipment of Indian pomegranates from Mah to USA

n a historic initiative Pomegranate, India had fruits like Mangoes and can meet the discerning tastes In the financial year 2023-24,
towards introducing Indian successfully flagged off its first Pomegranates to USA by of the American consumer,” India exported 72,011 metric
IPomegranates to distant trial commercial sea shipment funding the pre-clearance said a representative from the tons of Pomegranates worth
m a r k e t s , a l a n d m a r k of Pomegranates comprising of program. Indian farmers will Indian export consortium. “We USD 69.08 million. This year,
commercial sea shipment of 4200 boxes i.e. 12.6 tons to the achieve better realisation when are delighted with the reception there has been a significant
the prized Indian Bhagwa U.S. in collaboration with InI their fruit gets exported to in the market and are confident growth in Pomegranate exports
variety of Pomegranate has Farms from Irradiation Facility premium international markets that this successful arrival will from India registering a growth
successfully arrived in New Center (IFC), Maharashtra like USA. Indian mangoes have pave the way for an increase in of 21% with a value of USD 59.76
York, marking a significant State Agricultural Marketing already reached annual exports volumes in the coming million in the period April –
milestone for India's Fresh Board (MSAMB), Vashi, Navi of around 3500 tons and we seasons.” January, 2024-2025. Key export
Fruits exports. With growing Mumbai in February, 2024. hope that Pomegranates will Looking ahead, the industry is destinations include the United
international demand for APEDA facilitated the USDA also reach such strong numbers optimistic that with continued A r a b E m i r a t e s ( U A E ) ,
premium quality of Fresh pre-clearance program for in the years to come". marketing efforts and strategic B a n g l a d e s h , N e p a l ,
Fruits, the arrival of this Pomegranates in December, This consignment was sent by promotional campaigns, Indian Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sri
shipment heralds the potential 2024 which played a pivotal Kay Bee Exports, a leading Pomegranates can carve a niche Lanka, Thailand, Bahrain, Oman
of Indian Pomegranates role in easing the logistical and exporter of fruits and for themselves in the premium and USA.
becoming a preferred choice in regulatory hurdles for Indian vegetables from Mumbai and a U.S. market. In light of the I n d i a n P o m e g r a n a t e s ,
the competitive U.S. market. agriculture exporters and registered exporter with growing success, industry particularly the Bhagwa variety,
The Pomegranate season, enabled them to enter the U.S. APEDA. The Pomegranates in stakeholders sought APEDA's are renowned for their rich
which traditionally saw air market. APEDA's proactive this consignment were directly continued support in launching flavour, deep red colour and
freight as the primary mode of approach in inviting the USDA sourced from the farms of Kay promotional campaigns for the high nutritional value. These
transportation, shifted gears in inspectors for the pre- Bee Exports, ensuring that the Indian Pomegranate in the Pomegranates are packed with
recent weeks to embrace the clearance process three benefits of this export reach coming year, with the aim of antioxidants and vital nutrients,
cost-effective and sustainable months in advance ensured the I n d i a n fa r m e rs at t h e educating U.S. consumers on making them a popular choice
sea freight mode. After India smooth and timely arrival of grassroots level. the fruit's exceptional eating among health-conscious
had been granted market the shipment. The inaugural "We are thankful to APEDA for quality and diverse culinary consumers worldwide.
a c c e s s b y U S A f o r sea shipment of 4,620 boxes of facilitating exports of Indian applications. The Government of India's
Pomegranates, during the I n d i a n P o m e g r a n a t e s , Pomegranates to USA. APEDA's India, being the second-largest commitment to promoting the
s e a s o n i n 2 0 2 3 , t h e weighing approximately 14 efforts have ranged from producer of horticulture crops, export of fresh fruits and
Agricultural and Processed tons reached the U.S. East securing market access to sees major Pomegranate vegetables, despite their
Fo o d P ro d u c t s E x p o r t Coast in the second week of setting up export protocols, co- production in states like perishable nature, is evident in
Development Authority March, well within five weeks ordinating with multiple stake- M a h a r a s h t r a , G u j a r a t , their development of sea
(APEDA) in collaboration with of the point of departure. The holders and organising the pre- Karnataka, Rajasthan and protocols to retain product
United States Department of shipment was met with c l e a r a n c e p r o g r a m i n Andhra Pradesh. APEDA has attributes when exporting to
Agriculture's Animal and Plant exceptional enthusiasm in New conjunction with USDA. Kay established Export Promotion long-distance destinations. This
Health Inspection Service York. The arrival quality was B e e i s s p e c i a l i s e d i n Forums (EPF) specifically for initiative not only reinforces
(USDA APHIS), National Plant reported as "excellent" and Pomegranates and hope to Pomegranates, aimed at India's position in global
Protection Organization (NPPO customers were captivated by offer the best fruit that India boosting exports and removing markets but also directly
- India) and National Research the remarkable visual appeal has to offer. Our customers supply chain bottlenecks. These supports Indian farmers by
Centre for Pomegranate, and the superior eating quality expect the best fruit quality and E P F f o r u m s i n c l u d e creating sustainable export
Solapur (NRCP) successfully of the Indian Bhagwa variety of we always strive to do so" said representatives from the opportunities.
conducted the trial shipment Pomegranates. Mr. Kaushal Khakhar, CEO, Kay Department of Commerce, The steady supply of high-
of Pomegranate to USA by air. Chairman, APEDA, Shri Bee Exports on the successful Department of Agriculture, quality fruit, coupled with
Owing to the success of the Abhishek Dev remarked, shipment. “While Indian state governments, national continued marketing initiatives,
static trial to enhance the shelf "Government of India has been Pomegranates have always referral laboratories and the top will undoubtedly position Indian
life of Pomegranates for up to at the forefront in promoting been recognized for their taste, ten leading exporters, ensuring Pomegranates as a desirable
6 0 d a y s b y A P E D A i n Indian fresh fruits for the global this shipment has proven that a collaborative effort in choice for American consumers,
collaboration with ICAR- market. APEDA has been with the right quality and promoting Pomegranate ensuring their place on the U.S.
National Research Centre for supporting the export of Indian consistency, Indian fresh fruits exports. retail shelves in years to come.
India's agrifoodtech startups attract USD 2.5 bn last year,

3-fold jump from 2023: Report

nvestments in India's As per the report, investment suited to the country given its investment," the report said. India USD 2.5 billion (+215 per
agrifoodtech startups in India's agrifoodtech dense urban settings and high According to a statement, cent), Singapore USD 172
Ijumped over 3-fold to USD startups stood at USD 2.5 population. agrifoodtech investment in million (+3 per cent), Mexico
2.5 billion last year, driven by billion in 2024 as against USD Midstream Technologies has developing markets reached USD 97 million (+250 per cent),
funds raised by quick 806 million in the preceding also been a high-performing USD 3.7 billion in 2024, up 63 Vietnam USD 87 million (+350
commerce company Zepto, year. category for India agrifoodtech per cent from 2023 and per cent), and Chile USD 58
according to a report. Zepto raised USD 1.4 accounting for 23 per cent million (+33 per cent).
Omnivore, in collaboration billion last year in multiple of global investment. India's eGrocery platform
with AgFunder, a global rounds. "Deal activity declined 8.4 Zepto was 2024's best-funded
investment platform, on "Top rounds for India in per cent YoY to 523 as the agrifoodtech company globally,
Wednesday released a report 2024 highlight continued industry closed fewer and raising nearly USD 1.4 billion
titled 'Developing Markets investment into eGrocery larger deals," it said. across three late-stage deals,
AgriFoodTech Investment and restaurant-related Investment increased in the statement said.
Report 2025'. startups, which are well- five of the top 10 countries:
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