The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports successfully completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates to Australia via sea.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this marks a major breakthrough in expanding market access for Indian fresh produce.

After getting the market access for export of Indian pomegranates to Australia, a work plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the export of pomegranates to Australia were signed in February 2024.

The first air shipment took place in July 2024, following the successful market access facilitation by APEDA and National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).

The air shipment helped assess market demand, which led to follow-up sea shipments to optimize cost efficiency. The first-ever sea-freight shipment departed from India on December 6, 2024 and arrived in Sydney on January 13, 2025 with 5.7 metric tons (MT) of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra, packed into 1,900 boxes, each containing 3 kg of premium fruit.

Another commercial sea shipment carrying 1,872 boxes (6.56 tons) of Bhagwa variety arrived in Brisbane, Australia, on January 6, 2025.

The use of bulk sea shipment ensured competitive pricing, benefiting farmers and creating sustainable trade opportunities.

Both shipments were integrated into ANARNET, India’s traceability system, ensuring transparency and building consumer confidence in international markets.

This successful export not only underscores India’s capabilities in meeting global quality standards but also provides a significant boost to Indian farmers by opening up new revenue streams.