India Sends First Rose-Scented Litchi Consignment From Punjab's Pathankot To Qatar

In a major push to India’s horticulture exports, the first consignment of rose-scented litchis from Pathankot, Punjab, was flagged off to Doha in Qatar on Monday (23 June), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement on Friday (27 June).

Alongside the Qatar shipment, 0.5 metric tonnes of litchi was also exported to Dubai, UAE, strengthening India’s position in premium fresh fruit markets.

Punjab produced 71,490 metric tonnes of litchi in FY 2023 to 24, contributing over 12 per cent to India’s total litchi output.

The area under cultivation spanned 4,327 hectares with an average yield of 16,523 kg/ha, according to the National Horticulture Board.

India exported 639.53 metric tonnes of litchis during the same period.

The flagged-off consignment, a reefer pallet of premium litchis, is expected to open new export avenues for local farmers, especially in regions like Pathankot, which offer ideal agro-climatic conditions for quality litchi cultivation.

In FY 2024 to 25 (April to March), India’s fruit and vegetable exports stood at $3.87 billion, up 5.67 per cent from the previous year.

While bananas, mangoes, grapes, and oranges dominate exports, fruits like litchi, jamun, and cherries are gaining momentum internationally.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this initiative is part of the Government of India’s broader push to enhance the competitiveness of Indian produce, empower farmers, and diversify the agri-export basket.

Facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the initiative marks a significant step in expanding India’s global agri-export footprint.

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