APEDA facilitates first commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates from Maharashtra to USA

New Delhi: In a historic initiative towards introducing Indian Pomegranates to distant markets, a landmark commercial sea shipment of the prized Indian Bhagwa variety of Pomegranate has successfully arrived in New York, marking a significant milestone for India’s Fresh Fruits exports. With growing international demand for premium quality of Fresh Fruits, the arrival of this shipment heralds the potential of Indian Pomegranates becoming a preferred choice in the competitive U.S. market.

The Pomegranate season, which traditionally saw air freight as the primary mode of transportation, shifted gears in recent weeks to embrace the cost-effective and sustainable sea freight mode.

After India had been granted market access by USA for Pomegranates, during the season in 2023, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO – India) and National Research Centre for Pomegranate, Solapur (NRCP) successfully conducted the trial shipment of Pomegranate to USA by air.

Owing to the success of the static trial to enhance the shelf life of Pomegranates for up to 60 days by APEDA in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Pomegranate, India had successfully flagged off its first trial commercial sea shipment of Pomegranates comprising of 4200 boxes i.e. 12.6 tons to the U.S. in collaboration with InI Farms from Irradiation Facility Center (IFC), Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), Vashi, Navi Mumbai in February, 2024.

APEDA facilitated the USDA pre-clearance program for Pomegranates in December, 2024 which played a pivotal role in easing the logistical and regulatory hurdles for Indian agriculture exporters and enabled them to enter the U.S. market. APEDA’s proactive approach in inviting the USDA inspectors for the pre-clearance process three months in advance ensured the smooth and timely arrival of the shipment

The inaugural sea shipment of 4,620 boxes of Indian Pomegranates, weighing approximately 14 tons reached the U.S. East Coast in the second week of March, well within five weeks of the point of departure. The shipment was met with exceptional enthusiasm in New York. The arrival quality was reported as “excellent” and customers were captivated by the remarkable visual appeal and the superior eating quality of the Indian Bhagwa variety of Pomegranates.

Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev remarked, “Government of India has been at the forefront in promoting Indian fresh fruits for the global market. APEDA has been supporting the export of Indian fruits like Mangoes and Pomegranates to USA by funding the pre-clearance program. Indian farmers will achieve better realisation when their fruit gets exported to premium international markets like USA. Indian mangoes have already reached annual exports of around 3500 tons and we hope that Pomegranates will also reach such strong numbers in the years to come”.

This consignment was sent by Kay Bee Exports, a leading exporter of fruits and vegetables from Mumbai and a registered exporter with APEDA. The Pomegranates in this consignment were directly sourced from the farms of Kay Bee Exports, ensuring that the benefits of this export reach Indian farmers at the grassroots level.

“We are thankful to APEDA for facilitating exports of Indian Pomegranates to USA. APEDA’s efforts have ranged from securing market access to setting up export protocols, co-ordinating with multiple stake-holders and organising the pre-clearance program in conjunction with USDA. Kay Bee is specialised in Pomegranates and hope to offer the best fruit that India has to offer. Our customers expect the best fruit quality and we always strive to do so” said Mr. Kaushal Khakhar, CEO, Kay Bee Exports on the successful shipment.

“While Indian Pomegranates have always been recognized for their taste, this shipment has proven that with the right quality and consistency, Indian fresh fruits can meet the discerning tastes of the American consumer,” said a representative from the Indian export consortium. “We are delighted with the reception in the market and are confident that this successful arrival will pave the way for an increase in volumes in the coming seasons.”

Looking ahead, the industry is optimistic that with continued marketing efforts and strategic promotional campaigns, Indian Pomegranates can carve a niche for themselves in the premium U.S. market. In light of the growing success, industry stakeholders sought APEDA’s continued support in launching promotional campaigns for the Indian Pomegranate in the coming year, with the aim of educating U.S. consumers on the fruit’s exceptional eating quality and diverse culinary applications.

India, being the second-largest producer of horticulture crops, sees major Pomegranate production in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. APEDA has established Export Promotion Forums (EPF) specifically for Pomegranates, aimed at boosting exports and removing supply chain bottlenecks. These EPF forums include representatives from the Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, state governments, national referral laboratories and the top ten leading exporters, ensuring a collaborative effort in promoting Pomegranate exports.

In the financial year 2023-24, India exported 72,011 metric tons of Pomegranates worth USD 69.08 million. This year, there has been a significant growth in Pomegranate exports from India registering a growth of 21% with a value of USD 59.76 million in the period April – January, 2024-2025. Key export destinations include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bahrain, Oman and USA.

Indian Pomegranates, particularly the Bhagwa variety, are renowned for their rich flavour, deep red colour and high nutritional value. These Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants and vital nutrients, making them a popular choice among health-conscious consumers worldwide.

The Government of India’s commitment to promoting the export of fresh fruits and vegetables, despite their perishable nature, is evident in their development of sea protocols to retain product attributes when exporting to long-distance destinations. This initiative not only reinforces India’s position in global markets but also directly supports Indian farmers by creating sustainable export opportunities.

The steady supply of high-quality fruit, coupled with continued marketing initiatives, will undoubtedly position Indian Pomegranates as a desirable choice for American consumers, ensuring their place on the U.S. retail shelves in years to come.