GI-tagged Mithila Makhana makes first sea shipment from Bihar to Australia
- IBEF
- August 10, 2026
GI-tagged Mithila Makhana has been exported from Bihar to Australia by sea for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the state’s agricultural exports and global market access. The 18-metric-tonne consignment, packed in seven containers, was procured directly from farmers in Darbhanga and provided them with nearly 18% higher returns than the prevailing market price. The shipment was facilitated with the support of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and was flagged off by Bihar Agriculture Minister Mr. Vijay Kumar Sinha from the Integrated Unit of Irradiation Cum Packhouse at Bihta, Patna. The initiative is aimed at connecting Bihar’s farmers directly with international markets and strengthening the state’s transition from production to export-oriented agriculture. The shipment also highlights the growing international demand for Bihar’s agricultural products and the potential of GI-tagged products to gain wider recognition in global markets.
The initiative is supported by modern export infrastructure, including facilities for irradiation, quality testing, packaging and logistics, which help prepare agricultural products in line with international quality standards. The Bihar Agriculture Department noted that the initiative, which began with Makhana, could create opportunities for other agricultural products from the state to enter international markets. APEDA is working with State Governments, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), processors and other stakeholders to strengthen Bihar’s agri-export ecosystem through capacity building, export infrastructure, quality compliance, market linkages and value addition. These efforts are expected to expand international market access for Bihar’s agricultural products while creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers, processors and exporters. The first sea shipment to Australia therefore represents a step towards strengthening value-added agricultural exports and improving the global competitiveness of Bihar’s farm products.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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