In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products, a consignment of Dahanu Gholvad Sapota from Palghar district of Maharashtra was on Wednesday (19 May) shipped to the United Kingdom.

GI certification of Gholvad Sapota is held by Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh and the fruit is known for its sweet and unique taste. It is believed that the unique taste is derived from calcium rich soil of Gholvad village.

Currently in the Palghar district, around 5,000 hectares of land is under sapota or plantation. Out of almost 5,000 farmers who grow Sapota, 147 farmers are authorized GI users.

“The Dahanu Gholvad Sapota, sourced from the authorized GI users, were sorted and graded from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) assisted and registered packhouse facility at M/s Kay Bee Agro International Private Limited, Tapi (Gujarat) and exported by M/s Kay Bee exports,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

At present, the demand in the importing countries are mainly from the ethnic population and Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA said that export can increase many folds if the mainstream buyers are also targeted as Sapota can be grown throughout the year unlike other fruits.

APEDA has been thrust on promotion of exports of GI products. GI products with its uniqueness, intrinsic value and practically no competition from outsiders, offers good potential for export.

Sapota is grown in many states- Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka is known to be the highest grower of the fruit, followed by Maharashtra. It can be used in fruit salads, blended into milk or yogurt, as a smoothie or processed to make a jam out of it.

Earlier this month, a consignment of 2.5 Metric Tonne of GI certified Banganapalli and Suvarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea.