APEDA ships Himachal pomegranates, Arunachal kiwi to Dubai market
Synopsis
For the first time, Sinduri pomegranates from Himachal Pradesh's Kullu and kiwis from Arunachal Pradesh's Ziro have landed on Dubai shelves — and the 600-odd farmers behind the pomegranate shipment pocketed 50% more than the domestic market would have paid. It is a small volume, but a meaningful proof of concept for India's hill-state and northeastern horticulture.
Key Takeaways
APEDA facilitated the export of 1.3 MT of Sinduri pomegranates from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh and 1.5 MT of kiwi from Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh to Dubai, UAE .
The pomegranate consignment — 650 boxes of 2 kg each — was exported by Amama Exports , sourced via the Bhuntar FPO linked to roughly 600 farmers .
Participating pomegranate farmers achieved 50% higher price realisation compared with the domestic market benchmark.
The kiwi consignment was displayed at LuLu Hypermarket, Al Qusais , under the branding initiative 'Kiwi: USP of Arunachal Pradesh' , backed by MDoNER .
Arunachal Pradesh grows Hayward, Monty, Allison and Bruno kiwi varieties; the Hayward variety has shown the strongest international demand.
Both consignments are trial shipments intended to assess market response before scaling up exports.
India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first consignments of Sinduri variety pomegranates from Himachal Pradesh and kiwi fruit from Arunachal Pradesh to the Dubai market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a Commerce Ministry statement issued on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. The twin shipments mark a significant step in connecting India's northeastern and hill-state farmers with premium international export channels.
What Was Exported and in What Volume
The pomegranate consignment comprised 1.3 metric tonnes (MT) — specifically 650 boxes of 2 kg each — of the Sinduri variety, sourced from Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. The export was carried out by Uttar Pradesh-based Amama Exports, which procured the fruit directly from local farmers and the Bhuntar Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), an umbrella body linked to approximately 600 farmers. Separately, a trial shipment of 1.5 MT of kiwi from Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh successfully reached Dubai, where it was showcased at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Qusais.
Impact on Farmer Incomes
The pomegranate export initiative delivered a measurable economic benefit to participating growers: farmers reportedly achieved 50 per cent higher price realisation compared with the prevailing domestic market benchmark. This outcome underscores the potential of direct procurement models — bypassing traditional intermediaries — and the role of collective structures like FPOs in strengthening market linkages. The Kullu district horticulture administration facilitated procurement and logistical coordination, the Commerce Ministry statement noted.
The Sinduri and Kiwi Varieties: What Makes Them Export-Ready
The Sinduri variety is cultivated in Himachal Pradesh alongside the Bhagwa and Kandhari varieties. It is characterised by an attractive red skin, juicy arils, and a sweet-tart flavour that lends itself to fresh consumption and, according to officials, to export market demand. For kiwi, Arunachal Pradesh grows several varieties — Hayward, Monty, Allison, and Bruno — with the Hayward variety reportedly showing the strongest international demand. The state's high-altitude growing conditions and natural environment contribute to distinctive fruit quality and flavour.
Branding and Policy Backing
The kiwi export initiative was undertaken under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) as part of a branding push titled 'Kiwi: USP of Arunachal Pradesh', implemented in collaboration with the state government. The programme aims to assess consumer response in international markets, develop stronger market linkages, and expand export opportunities for local kiwi growers. Officials indicated that the trial consignment will provide the basis for evaluating market response and identifying requirements for scaling up Arunachal Pradesh's kiwi presence overseas.
What Comes Next
Both initiatives are positioned as exploratory — designed to validate demand before committing to larger, recurring shipments. Future steps include assessing buyer feedback from the Dubai market, identifying gaps in cold-chain and packaging standards, and potentially expanding to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. The outcomes of these trial runs are expected to inform APEDA's broader strategy for promoting India's hill and northeastern horticultural produce on the global stage.
Point of View
Cutting out layers of middlemen that have historically compressed grower margins. The harder question is whether cold-chain infrastructure, consistent quality control, and buyer development can sustain this at scale; one trial shipment to a single hypermarket is not a supply chain. If the government can replicate this margin uplift for the thousands of pomegranate and kiwi growers across these regions, it will be a genuine agri-export success story — but the institutional follow-through has historically been the weak link in India's horticulture export ambitions.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did APEDA export to Dubai and in what quantities?
APEDA facilitated the export of 1.3 metric tonnes of Sinduri variety pomegranates from Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, and a trial shipment of 1.5 metric tonnes of kiwi from Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, both destined for Dubai in the UAE. The pomegranate consignment comprised 650 boxes of 2 kg each.
How much more did farmers earn compared to selling domestically?
Participating pomegranate farmers achieved 50% higher price realisation compared with the prevailing domestic market benchmark, according to the Commerce Ministry statement. This uplift was made possible by direct procurement from farmers and the Bhuntar FPO, bypassing traditional intermediaries.
Where was the Arunachal Pradesh kiwi displayed in Dubai?
The 1.5-metric-tonne kiwi consignment from Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh was showcased at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Qusais, Dubai. The initiative is part of the 'Kiwi: USP of Arunachal Pradesh' branding programme under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).
Which pomegranate and kiwi varieties were exported?
The Sinduri variety of pomegranate — known for its red skin, juicy arils, and sweet-tart flavour — was exported from Himachal Pradesh. For kiwi, Arunachal Pradesh grows the Hayward, Monty, Allison, and Bruno varieties, with the Hayward variety showing the strongest demand in international markets.
What is the significance of these trial exports?
Both shipments are trial consignments designed to test buyer demand, consumer response, and logistical viability before scaling up to larger, recurring exports. The outcomes are expected to guide APEDA's strategy for promoting hill-state and northeastern Indian horticultural produce in the Gulf and beyond.
