India's first sea shipment of millet foods reaches New Zealand from Karnataka
Synopsis
India has shipped its first-ever sea consignment of value-added, ready-to-cook millet foods to New Zealand — a quiet but significant step that moves India's millet story beyond raw grain exports. Bengaluru-based Infini Agrotek LLP's one-tonne shipment, facilitated by APEDA, is the clearest sign yet that India's International Year of Millets push is translating into real export commerce.
Key Takeaways
APEDA facilitated India's first-ever sea shipment of value-added millet products on 4 June 2025 .
Infini Agrotek LLP , Bengaluru , exported 1 metric tonne of ready-to-cook millet foods to New Zealand .
The export order resulted from participation in World Food India 2025 , Indus Food 2025 , and Gulfood 2026 .
The shipment was virtually flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev .
The initiative is expected to benefit millet-growing farmers in Karnataka through improved demand and market access.
India has achieved a landmark in agri-food exports as the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the country's first-ever sea shipment of ready-to-cook, value-added millet products from Karnataka to New Zealand, according to an official statement issued on Thursday, 4 June 2025. The milestone signals growing global appetite for India's traditional grains in processed, export-ready formats.
The Shipment
The consignment, comprising one metric tonne of value-added millet-based products, was dispatched by Infini Agrotek LLP, Bengaluru, on Wednesday. The shipment was virtually flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, who congratulated the company on the achievement and commended its efforts in developing innovative millet-based products for international markets.
The product range includes botanical-infused millet functional foods — a category that blends India's nutritional heritage with modern ready-to-cook convenience, catering to health-conscious consumers in markets like New Zealand.
How the Export Order Was Secured
Infini Agrotek LLP actively participated in several APEDA-supported trade promotion events, including World Food India 2025, Indus Food 2025, and Gulfood 2026. These exhibitions provided the company a platform to connect with international buyers, expand its customer base, and build a footprint in global markets. According to the official statement, the New Zealand order is a direct outcome of this sustained market outreach and business networking.
During the flagging-off interaction, Abhishek Dev encouraged the exporter to continue leveraging APEDA's export promotion schemes and to participate in upcoming trade fairs to further widen market reach.
Why This Matters for India's Millet Sector
Millets have steadily risen as a strategic pillar of India's agricultural export basket, driven by their nutritional density, climate resilience, and surging global consumer demand. The development of value-added millet products — moving beyond raw grain exports — is creating new revenue streams for farmers, food processors, and exporters alike.
This shipment is expected to benefit millet-growing farming communities in Karnataka through enhanced demand and improved market access. Notably, India had declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, and the push to export processed millet foods is seen as a continuation of that diplomatic and commercial momentum.
Broader Impact on Agri-Food Exports
According to the official statement, such initiatives contribute to strengthening India's agri-export ecosystem while generating opportunities across the millet value chain — from cultivation and processing to packaging and logistics. The successful sea shipment also demonstrates that value-added millet products can be commercially viable in long-haul export corridors, not just air-freight routes.
As global demand for functional and health foods continues to rise, India's millet sector is increasingly well-positioned to capture a larger share of the international market. APEDA is expected to scale up similar facilitation efforts across other export destinations in the coming months.
Point of View
Yet most export activity has remained in raw or minimally processed grain — low-margin and weather-dependent. A sea-freight consignment of ready-to-cook, botanical-infused millet foods to New Zealand suggests the value-added segment is finally finding commercial traction. The real question is scalability: one metric tonne is a proof-of-concept, not a supply chain. APEDA's ability to replicate this across more exporters and more destinations — particularly in the EU and North America — will determine whether India's millet diplomacy converts into durable export revenue for farmers.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India's first sea shipment of millet foods to New Zealand?
It is a one-metric-tonne consignment of ready-to-cook, value-added millet products exported by Bengaluru-based Infini Agrotek LLP to New Zealand — the first time such products have been shipped from India by sea. The shipment was facilitated by APEDA and flagged off on 4 June 2025.
Who facilitated and flagged off the millet export shipment?
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the shipment. APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev virtually flagged it off and congratulated Infini Agrotek LLP on the milestone.
How did Infini Agrotek LLP secure the New Zealand export order?
The company participated in APEDA-supported trade events including World Food India 2025, Indus Food 2025, and Gulfood 2026, where it connected with international buyers. The New Zealand order is a direct outcome of that sustained market outreach, according to the official statement.
Why is this millet shipment significant for Indian farmers?
The export of value-added millet products is expected to generate enhanced demand for millet-growing farmers in Karnataka by improving market access and creating new revenue streams across the millet value chain — from cultivation to processing and packaging.
What types of millet products were exported?
The consignment included botanical-infused millet functional foods in a ready-to-cook format, combining traditional Indian grains with modern health-food positioning to cater to international consumers.
