APEDA and Punjab Government facilitate milestone shipment from Pathankot to Doha and Dubai, marking a breakthrough for Indian fruit exports
In a significant boost to India’s horticultural ambitions, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with the Punjab Horticulture Department, has flagged off the first-ever consignment of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot, Punjab to Doha, Qatar. The landmark event took place on June 23, 2025 and marks India’s expanding influence in high-value fresh fruit exports, reported businessworld.in.
The initial shipment included 1 metric tonne of aromatic litchis to Doha, alongside an additional 0.5 metric tonne dispatched to Dubai, UAE, showcasing the growing demand for Indian specialty fruits in premium Middle Eastern markets.
This milestone was made possible through the coordinated efforts of APEDA, the Department of Horticulture (Punjab), retail giant Lulu Group, and progressive farmer Shri Prabhat Singh of Sujanpur, whose top-grade produce met stringent export standards. Singh’s success reflects the promising potential of Pathankot as a key horticultural hub.
India’s first export of rose-scented litchis to Qatar and Dubai signals global market entry for Pathankot’s premium fruit growers
According to the National Horticulture Board, Punjab produced 71,490 metric tonnes of litchi in FY 2023–24, accounting for 12.39% of India’s total litchi output. Spread over 4,327 hectares, Punjab’s litchi farms yielded an impressive 16,523 kg/ha on average. Nationally, 639.53 metric tonnes of litchi were exported during the same fiscal year.
The latest export effort comes on the back of rising momentum in India’s broader agri-export space. In FY 2024–25, India recorded USD 3.87 billion in fruit and vegetable exports, a 5.67% increase over the previous year. While traditional export items such as mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges dominate the charts, niche fruits like litchis, cherries, and jamun are gaining steady ground internationally.
The Government of India, through APEDA, has emphasized a multi-pronged strategy—broadening the export basket, supporting FPOs/FPCs, and improving global access for Indian farmers. With initiatives like the Pathankot litchi export, India reaffirms its growing role in global horticultural trade, offering premium, diversified produce to new markets.
