India Flags Off First Consignment of Rose-Scented Litchi from Pathankot to Qatar

In a significant development for India’s horticultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Punjab, flagged off the first consignment of one metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot, Punjab, to Doha, Qatar, on June 23, 2025. Additionally, half a metric tonne of litchi was exported from Pathankot to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a dual export milestone and highlighting India’s expanding presence in global fresh fruit markets.
This initiative reflects the quality of Indian horticultural produce and offers significant opportunities for farming communities by enhancing international market access for fresh, high-value products. APEDA facilitated the shipment in partnership with the Punjab Department of Horticulture, Lulu Group, and progressive farmer Mr. Prabhat Singh from Sujanpur, who supplied the premium produce. According to the National Horticulture Board, Punjab contributed 71,490 metric tonnes to India’s litchi production in FY24, representing 12.39% of the national output. India’s total fruit and vegetable exports in FY25 reached Rs. 33,085 crore (US$ 3.87 billion), a 5.67% increase over the previous year. While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges remain key exports, fruits such as cherries, jamun, and litchis are increasingly gaining international market share. These efforts exemplify the Government of India’s focus on expanding the agriculture export basket and empowering farmers, with APEDA playing a pivotal role in facilitating market access and strengthening India’s global competitiveness in agricultural and processed food products.

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