Indian Economy News

APEDA Facilitates First Export of GI-Tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the first export consignment of 25 metric tonnes of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Joha rice from the state of Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy. The shipment was dispatched on March 12, 2026, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam. Joha rice, an indigenous aromatic rice variety known for its distinctive fragrance and fine grain texture, received the GI tag in 2017 and has since gained recognition in premium domestic and international markets. The initiative reflects growing efforts to promote unique agricultural products from India’s North-Eastern region in global markets.

In Assam, Joha rice is cultivated across around 21,662 hectares with an estimated production of about 43,298 metric tonnes in FY25. Key producing districts include Nagaon, Baksa, Goalpara, Sivasagar, Majuli, Chirang, and Golaghat. APEDA has been actively working to strengthen the international presence of the variety through targeted export promotion. Before this shipment, the authority facilitated the export of 1 metric tonne of GI-tagged Joha rice to Vietnam and 2 metric tonnes to Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The latest shipment was exported by Safe Agritrade Private Limited and processed at Pratik Agro Food Processing in Guwahati. The initiative aims to enhance market linkages between producers and global buyers while improving price realisation and export opportunities for farmers in the region.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.