Jharkhand Exports Fresh Mangoes to UK for the First Time with APEDA Support
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Kolkata, June 7: In a significant boost to Jharkhand’s agricultural export potential, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has facilitated the State’s first-ever commercial export of fresh mangoes to the United Kingdom.
The inaugural consignment, flagged off in Kolkata on June 4, consists of 1.5 metric tonnes of premium Amrapali mangoes sourced from Beura Farmer Producer Company Ltd., an all-women Farmer Producer Company (FPC) based in Simdega district’s Bano Block. The shipment has been exported to London by Kolkata-based JGB Agrofresh Pvt. Ltd.
The achievement marks a major milestone for Jharkhand’s horticulture sector and highlights the growing role of women-led farmer collectives in accessing international markets.
According to APEDA, the export initiative followed an Export-Oriented Capacity Building Programme conducted on May 5 for Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and progressive farmers in Simdega district. The programme focused on export procedures, quality requirements, packaging standards, and overseas market opportunities.
Following the training programme, APEDA facilitated market linkage between Beura Farmer Producer Company Ltd. and the exporter, enabling direct procurement of export-quality mangoes from local farmers. The collaboration culminated in the successful shipment of the first consignment to the UK market.
Officials said the initiative has enabled the women-led producer company to become part of the international agricultural value chain while ensuring better price realization for farmers compared to domestic market rates.
The export is expected to encourage farmers in the region to adopt improved cultivation methods, better post-harvest handling practices, and international quality standards, thereby enhancing the export competitiveness of Jharkhand’s horticultural produce.
Jharkhand’s favourable agro-climatic conditions make it an important horticultural hub, and the Amrapali variety of mango grown in the State enjoys strong consumer acceptance due to its taste and quality. With this development, Jharkhand joins the ranks of Indian states exporting fresh fruits to global destinations.
APEDA has been actively promoting agricultural exports through capacity-building programmes, market development initiatives, quality enhancement measures, traceability systems, and export promotion activities. The authority has also been encouraging the participation of women-led and tribal producer organisations in international trade.
The successful export of fresh mangoes to the United Kingdom is being viewed as a promising step toward strengthening Jharkhand’s presence in global agricultural markets and creating new income opportunities for rural farming communities.
