India Makes First Commercial Shipment Of Pomegranates To US

MUMBAI (IANS) – India has successfully flagged off its first commercial trial shipment of pomegranates to the US via sea under the aegis of the Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority from Vashi in Navi Mumbai.

The pomegranate shipment comprising 4200 boxes (12.6 tons) by InI Farms was flagged off here on March 1.

India, one of the largest producers of pomegranates in the world, is also now aiming to be amongst the top pomegranate exporting countries. The country is a key player with its market expanding in the EU, Middle East, and Asian countries.

“We are grateful to the efforts of the USDA officials who helped us implement the right practices. We also developed sea protocols which have helped us build a 60-day shelf life of the product and preserve its quality,” officials said adding, “With the success of this first commercial sea trial shipment of pomegranates to the US, we are hopeful that it will open up many more opportunities for fruit and vegetable exports to the US.”

InI Farms – a top exporter of fruits and vegetables from India with their produce being exported to over 25 countries worldwide.

In India, the major pomegranate producing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh with Maharashtra contributing to more than 50 percent of the production share.