The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has facilitated the export of the first trial shipment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands via a sea route.
- The first export consignment of one container of bananas to the Netherlands was flagged off on 9th November, 2023) by APEDA Chairman from Baramati, Maharashtra.
About Banana
- Banana (Musa sp.) is the second most important fruit crop in India next to mango.
- Banana evolved in the humid tropical regions of S.E.Asia with India as one of its centres of origin.
- Modern edible varieties have evolved from the two species – Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana and their natural hybrids.
- Banana is a rich source of carbohydrate and is rich in vitamins particularly vitamin B. It is also a good source of potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The fruit is easy to digest, free from fat and cholesterol.
- Despite being the world’s largest banana producer, India’s export share is currently just one percent in the global market, even though the country accounts for 26.45 percent of the world’s banana production at 35.36 Million Metric Ton.
- In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported bananas worth USD 176 million, equivalent to 0.36 MMT.
- The major export destinations for Indian bananas include Iran, Iraq, UAE, Oman, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.
- Additionally, there are abundant export opportunities in countries such as the USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, China, the Netherlands, the UK, and France.
