India's Makhana exports cross 7,000 MT to 20+ countries in FY26
Synopsis
India's Makhana sector has quietly gone global — over 7,000 metric tonnes shipped to 20-plus countries in FY26, and now a first-ever commercial sea consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana has landed in Australia. Farmers in Darbhanga are already seeing 18% higher returns, signalling that a GI tag plus direct export linkages can meaningfully move the needle on rural incomes.
Key Takeaways
India exported over 7,000 metric tonnes of Makhana to more than 20 countries , including the US , Middle East , and Africa , in FY26 .
Bihar contributes nearly 85% of India's Makhana production.
APEDA facilitated the first-ever commercial sea shipment of 18 MT of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihta, Bihar to Australia .
Export-linked value chains have delivered nearly 18% higher returns to farmers compared to domestic market rates.
A dedicated HS Code for Makhana under the Finance Bill, 2025 came into effect from July 2024 , aiding trade classification.
Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha pledged continued state support to the Phori community and the broader Makhana value chain.
India exported more than 7,000 metric tonnes of Makhana and value-added Makhana products to over 20 international destinations — including the United States, the Middle East, and Africa — in FY26, the government announced on 8 August. The disclosure underscores the rapid globalisation of a crop that was, until recently, largely confined to domestic markets.
Bihar at the Centre of Makhana Trade
Bihar accounts for nearly 85 per cent of India's total Makhana production, making it the undisputed hub of the sector. To sharpen the crop's competitive edge in global trade, a dedicated Harmonised System (HS) Code for Makhana was introduced under the Finance Bill, 2025, coming into effect from July 2024. The separate classification is expected to ease customs processing and improve traceability for importing nations.
Historic Sea Shipment to Australia
In a landmark development, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever commercial sea shipment of 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar, to Australia. The consignment was sourced directly from Makhana growers in Darbhanga district, according to the Commerce Ministry.
The initiative has enabled participating farmers to realise nearly 18 per cent higher returns than prevailing domestic market rates — a direct benefit attributed to export-oriented value chains and direct market linkages bypassing traditional intermediaries.
What the Government Said
Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha described Makhana as 'the identity of Bihar,' stressing that greater participation of Bihar-based exporters in international trade would enable farmers to secure better price realisation. He underlined the importance of adhering to quality standards to meet global market requirements.
Sinha also reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening the Makhana value chain — covering growers, processors, and exporters — and pledged continued support to the Phori community, whose traditional processing skills are integral to the crop's preparation and quality.
Impact on Farmers and What Comes Next
The export push is positioned as a model for linking agricultural communities directly to international demand. By securing GI-tag recognition for Mithila Makhana, Bihar has added a layer of premium branding that commands higher prices in discerning markets such as Australia and the Middle East. This comes amid a broader government push to expand agri-exports and reduce post-harvest losses through value addition.
With a dedicated HS Code now in place and the first sea-route shipment successfully completed, industry observers expect export volumes to scale further in FY27, particularly as awareness of Makhana's superfood credentials grows in Western and Gulf markets.
Point of View
000-MT export figure is notable, but the more consequential detail is the 18% income premium farmers are realising through direct export linkages — that is the model India has struggled to replicate at scale across other crops. The GI tag for Mithila Makhana gives Bihar a rare branding lever, but sustained premiums depend on consistent quality certification and cold-chain infrastructure that the state is still building out. The dedicated HS Code is an administrative fix long overdue; its real value will show in whether it reduces customs friction in target markets. If APEDA can convert this pilot sea shipment into a regular corridor, Makhana could become a template for how niche Indian agri-products break into premium global markets — but the Phori community's traditional processing skills need formal skilling investment, not just rhetorical acknowledgement.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Makhana did India export in FY26?
India exported more than 7,000 metric tonnes of Makhana and value-added Makhana products to over 20 international destinations in FY26, including the US, the Middle East, and Africa, according to the government.
What is the significance of the sea shipment of Mithila Makhana to Australia?
It marks the first-ever commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana, involving 18 metric tonnes dispatched from the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar. The shipment is significant because it opens a cost-effective bulk-export route and strengthens the international profile of Bihar's flagship GI product.
How much more income are Makhana farmers earning through exports?
Farmers participating in export-linked value chains have reportedly earned nearly 18% higher returns than prevailing domestic market rates, according to the Commerce Ministry. This premium is attributed to direct market linkages that reduce dependence on intermediaries.
What is the new HS Code for Makhana and why does it matter?
A dedicated Harmonised System (HS) Code for Makhana was introduced under the Finance Bill, 2025, and came into effect from July 2024. It matters because a separate trade classification improves customs processing, traceability, and data collection for Makhana exports globally.
Which district in Bihar supplies Makhana for export?
The consignment shipped to Australia was sourced from Makhana growers in Darbhanga district, one of the primary Makhana-producing regions in Bihar, which accounts for nearly 85% of India's total Makhana output.
