Ladakh exports first fresh apricot consignment to the UAE; aims to strengthen horticulture exports
- IBEF
- July 16, 2026
Ladakh has exported its first consignment of fresh apricots to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant milestone for the Union Territory’s horticulture sector. The inaugural shipment of five metric tonnes was flagged off under an agreement signed between the Ladakh Administration and the UAE-based Lulu Group in April 2026. The initiative is expected to provide Ladakh’s globally recognised Raktsey apricots with greater international visibility while enabling farmers to access overseas markets and realise better prices for their produce. The export programme is also expected to streamline the supply chain, with exporters managing harvesting, sorting, packing, transportation and marketing, allowing growers to focus on cultivation.
Under the agreement, more than 1,000 metric tonnes of apricots are expected to be exported during the current season, a substantial increase from the 1,500 kg exported over the previous two years. The Ladakh Administration is also facilitating logistics through a dedicated control room and is working towards establishing a green corridor to reduce transportation time from orchards to Delhi. In addition, efforts are underway to establish a world-class apricot processing unit in Ladakh to address the fruit’s short shelf life, promote value addition and enhance export competitiveness. The initiative is expected to strengthen the region’s horticulture value chain, improve farmers’ incomes and expand the global presence of Ladakh’s premium fruit 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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