GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes make first commercial export to UAE
Synopsis
For the first time, GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes from Madhya Pradesh have landed in the UAE — and farmers are already earning ₹40–50 more per kg than local market rates. It is a small consignment of one metric tonne, but the supply chain built behind it — linking Rewa growers, an UP pack house, Varanasi Airport, and a UAE buyer — could become a replicable template for India's underexplored central-Indian produce.
Key Takeaways
APEDA facilitated the first commercial export of GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to the UAE on 27 June .
The consignment comprised one metric tonne , exported by M/s Salt Range Foods Pvt.
Farmers received ₹150 per kg — a premium of ₹40–50 per kg over local market rates of ₹100–110 per kg .
Mangoes were sourced from Rewa district , packed in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh , and airlifted from Varanasi Airport .
The GI tag gives the variety a protected identity in international trade, enabling premium pricing.
APEDA aims to establish regular seasonal exports of the variety to the UAE and beyond.
Madhya Pradesh's prized Rewa Sundarja mangoes, now carrying a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, have made their first commercial export to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed on 27 June. The milestone shipment, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), marks the variety's formal entry into international markets.
About the Rewa Sundarja Mango
The Rewa Sundarja is distinguished by its exceptional sweetness, rich aroma, fibreless pulp, and distinctive flavour — qualities that have long made it a sought-after variety within the region. The GI tag now provides it with a legally protected identity in international trade, setting it apart from generic mango exports and enabling premium pricing.
Key Details of the Consignment
The shipment comprised one metric tonne of GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes, exported by M/s Salt Range Foods Pvt. Ltd. The mangoes were sourced from Seondha Farmer Producer Company Limited and farmer Sonu Gupta of Govindgarh in Rewa district. They were processed, graded, and packed at the APEDA-facilitated pack house of Trisagar Farmer Producer Company in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, before being transported to Varanasi Airport for air shipment to the UAE.
Premium Pricing Boosts Farmer Incomes
Growers received ₹150 per kilogram from the exporter — a premium of ₹40–50 per kg over prevailing local market rates of approximately ₹100–110 per kg. According to the official statement, this price differential is expected to boost farmer incomes and encourage the adoption of export-grade production and post-harvest practices across the region. Notably, the coordinated effort involved APEDA, the Department of Horticulture, Madhya Pradesh, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), pack house operators, and international buyers — a supply chain built over several months.
Significance of the GI Tag
The successful export underscores the commercial value of GI registration for region-specific agricultural products. The GI tag creates a distinct identity in global markets, enabling producers to command higher prices and resist imitation. This is the same mechanism that has elevated products like Darjeeling tea and Alphonso mangoes in export markets. According to the ministry statement, 'This landmark shipment marks the beginning of the international journey of the Rewa Sundarja Mango and is expected to pave the way for regular exports in the coming seasons.'
What Comes Next
APEDA and the Madhya Pradesh horticulture department are expected to build on this first consignment to establish a regular export corridor for the variety. With a buyer already identified in the UAE, the groundwork for seasonal repeat shipments is in place. The success of this pilot could also prompt other GI-tagged Indian produce from central India to explore similar export linkages.
Point of View
But the architecture behind this shipment — GI certification, FPO aggregation, a certified pack house, phytosanitary clearance, and a confirmed international buyer — is exactly the kind of end-to-end supply chain India has struggled to replicate at scale for non-Alphonso mangoes. The ₹150-per-kg farm gate price is the real headline: a 40% premium over local rates is the kind of income signal that changes cropping decisions. The question is whether APEDA can institutionalise this corridor before the season ends, or whether it remains a well-photographed pilot that does not scale.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Rewa Sundarja mangoes and why do they have a GI tag?
Rewa Sundarja is a mango variety from Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh, known for its sweetness, rich aroma, and fibreless pulp. The Geographical Indication (GI) tag gives it a legally protected identity in trade, certifying its regional origin and distinct qualities — similar to how Darjeeling tea or Alphonso mangoes are protected.
Who facilitated the first export of Rewa Sundarja mangoes to the UAE?
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), working with the Madhya Pradesh Department of Horticulture, Farmer Producer Organisations, and pack house operators, facilitated the export. The consignment was shipped by M/s Salt Range Foods Pvt. Ltd.
How much did farmers earn from this export?
Farmers received ₹150 per kilogram from the exporter, compared to prevailing local market rates of approximately ₹100–110 per kg — a premium of ₹40–50 per kg. This income boost is expected to encourage more growers to adopt export-grade practices.
Where were the mangoes processed before export?
The mangoes were sourced from Seondha Farmer Producer Company Limited and farmer Sonu Gupta in Govindgarh, Rewa district. They were then processed, graded, and packed at the APEDA-facilitated pack house of Trisagar Farmer Producer Company in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, before being airlifted from Varanasi Airport.
Will Rewa Sundarja mangoes be exported regularly to the UAE?
According to the official statement, this first shipment is expected to 'pave the way for regular exports in the coming seasons.' APEDA has already identified a buyer in the UAE and is working to establish a sustained export corridor for the variety.
