Farmers from eastern India have completed a pilot export of fresh produce to Dubai, marking a new international trade route for horticulture growers in Odisha.
The 1,000-kg consignment was shipped from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and sourced from farmers in Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts. Products included garlic and French beans, exported for the first time from the state, alongside baby potatoes, ivy gourd, pointed gourd, and papaya.
The shipment was organised with support from Odisha’s Directorate of Horticulture and coordinated through farmer producer organisations (FPOs), bringing small growers directly into an export-led supply chain.
The export was carried out under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project, implemented by Palladium with backing from the state’s Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment and support from APEDA. The programme focused on export documentation, certification, and regulatory compliance required for international fresh produce trade.
Agri-business startup Villa Mart Private Limited handled sourcing and export execution, linking FPO farmers with overseas buyers through an air-freight model designed for time-sensitive produce.
Officials involved in the dispatch said the pilot demonstrates how structured support can help regional produce meet international standards and access global markets without disrupting existing domestic supply channels.
The export also aligns with wider trends across the Asia fresh produce market, where new origins are increasingly supplying Gulf importers through smaller, high-frequency air shipments rather than large consolidated volumes.
State agriculture authorities indicated that similar shipments may follow if buyer demand remains stable and growers can maintain consistency in quality and volumes.
Why It Matters
For global supermarket buyers and importers, this shipment highlights India’s growing role as a diversified fresh produce origin beyond traditional export hubs. For farmers, it shows how FPO-led models can reduce reliance on local wholesale markets and open higher-value export channels.
If scaled, the approach could strengthen India’s position in premium and seasonal produce segments serving Middle East retail and foodservice markets.
Editor’s note: This article is based on official programme and export dispatch information released by Odisha agriculture authorities and project partners.
