India Aims for $1 Billion in Banana Exports Following Successful Sea Route Trials
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New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) India has recorded a tenfold increase in banana exports over the last decade and is now setting its sights on $1 billion in exports within the next five years, after successful trial shipments to the Netherlands through the sea route, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
With the sea route now operational, Russia is anticipated to become a significant market for Indian banana exports.
Currently, India relies on air transport, which is costly and restricts the volume of fruit that can be exported.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, India exported bananas valued at US$ 300 million, marking a considerable rise from US$ 176 million in 2022-23. The country's share in global banana exports has increased from a mere 0.21 percent in 2013 to 1.74 percent in 2023, underscoring its expanding footprint in the international market, as per data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
To boost export volumes, APEDA is formulating sea protocols for fresh produce, including bananas, mangoes, pomegranates, and jackfruit. These protocols are intended to simplify ocean transport, making it easier for Indian farmers to access global markets.
The Indian government is vigorously supporting banana cultivation and export through diverse initiatives such as financial aid for farmers, enhancements in infrastructure, and improved market access. As local farmers embrace modern farming techniques, they are yielding larger quantities of higher-quality bananas, establishing India as a vital player in the global banana sector.
Additionally, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a key exporter of bananas. The state government has proactively promoted banana farming and has designated it as the One District One Product (ODOP) for Kushinagar.
This initiative provides significant advantages for banana farmers in the state, offering subsidies as incentives to cultivate high-quality bananas that align with market requirements.
In the Purvanchal and Awadh regions of Uttar Pradesh, districts such as Kushinagar, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, and Barabanki are heavily involved in banana cultivation, according to the state government.
Over the past fifteen years, the area dedicated to banana farming has expanded. Furthermore, the adoption of superior varieties and modern agricultural practices has enhanced the quality and yield of the crop, as stated.
