India Targets $1 Billion Worth Banana Exports Over The Next 5 Years

India has set a target to export fresh bananas worth $1 billion in the next five years. India had exported a trial consignment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands by sea route in the last month. India is now aiming to increase the export of this fruit to one billion US dollars in the next five years.

Export of fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas:

• At present, most of the fruits are exported from India by air route due to small quantity and different ripening periods. Due to its high transportation cost, it becomes expensive in foreign countries. Now efforts are being made to export it by sea route.
• India is developing maritime protocols for fresh fruits and vegetables such as bananas, mangoes, pomegranates and jackfruits to promote their exports through sea routes. The following are taken care of under this protocol:
  • Understanding travel time
  • Understanding the ripeness of these things scientifically
  • Harvesting at a particular time 
  • This includes providing training to farmers.
  • These protocols will differ for different fruits and vegetables.
• APEDA, along with other partners, has formulated protocols for bananas. APEDA is a branch of the Ministry of Commerce.
• The successful test shipment for this reached Rotterdam, Netherlands, from India on 5 December 2023. This consignment was sent from Baramati, Maharashtra. This will open the door to a diverse market portfolio through the sea route.

Indian Banana Export:

• The main export destinations of Indian bananas are the Middle East countries. India's banana export destinations have potential opportunities in major countries such as the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, China, Netherlands, UK and France.
• At present, India is the largest banana producing country in the world. Despite this, India's export share in the global market is currently only one percent. Even though the country's share in the world's 35.36 million metric tons of banana production is 26.45 percent.                   
• In 2022-23, India is expected to export bananas worth USD 176 million, equivalent to 0.36 MMT.                   

Main banana producing states in India:

• Major banana-producing states comprise Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. There is huge potential for banana export from Andhra Pradesh.

About APEDA: 

• APEDA was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.
• It functions under the control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Before APEDA, this work was done by the 'Processed Food Export Promotion Council'.
• In the year 2020, APEDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Small Farmers Agri-Business Association (SFAC).
• Headquarters: New Delhi.