• To boost India’s horticultural exports, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the flag-off of the first consignment of one tonne of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot in Punjab to Doha on June 23.

• In addition, 0.5 metric tonne of litchi was also exported to Dubai from Pathankot, marking a twin export achievement and reinforcing India’s potential in global fresh fruit markets.

• This initiative was facilitated by the authority in association with Punjab’s Department of Horticulture and Lulu Group.

• During 2023-24, Punjab’s litchi production stood at 71,490 tonnes, accounting for 12.39 per cent share of India's total litchi production.

• During the same year, a total of 639.53 tonnes of litchi were exported from India.

• The area under cultivation was 4,327 hectares with an average yield of 16,523 kg/ha.

• The government is taking a series of measures to promote exports of fruits and vegetables. In 2024-25, these exports rose by 5.67 per cent year-on-year to $3.87 billion.

• While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges continue to dominate fruit exports, cherries, jamun, and litchis are now increasingly finding their place in international markets.

What is APEDA?

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the government under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by Parliament in December 1985. The Act came into effect on February 13, 1986.

• APEDA, which replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC), has its headquarters in New Delhi.

• Its headquarters is situated in New Delhi. It has 16 regional offices across India.

APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility of export promotion and development of following scheduled products:

i) Fruits, Vegetables and their Products

ii) Meat and Meat Products

iii) Poultry and Poultry Products

iv) Dairy Products

v) Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products

vi) Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products

vii) Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds

viii) Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

ix) Cereal and Cereal Products

x) Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts

xi) Pickles, Papads and Chutneys

xii) Guar Gum

xiii) Floriculture and Floriculture Products

xiv) Herbal and Medicinal Plants

xv) De-oiled rice bran

xvi) Green pepper in brine

xvii) Cashew Nuts and its Products.

• In addition to this, APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor the import of sugar as well.

• APEDA also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic exports.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)