India Ships First Full-Scale Sea Consignment Of Pomegranates To US

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY— Move over mangoes and make way for the mighty pomegranate! In a sweet turn of events for Indian horticulture, the first full-scale sea shipment of 14 tons of “Bhagwa” pomegranates has docked in New York, fresh from the orchards of Maharashtra — and it’s got both farmers and fruit lovers cheering across continents.

This isn’t just any fruit shipment. It’s the beginning of a juicy new chapter in India-U.S. agri-trade diplomacy, blending science, logistics, and a splash of bold red ambition, if Indian officials are to be believed.

India, already the world’s second-largest producer of horticultural crops, has long been a powerhouse in pomegranates, with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh leading the charge. But while Indian pomegranates have graced tables in the Middle East and Europe, cracking the U.S. market via sea was a tougher nut — or seed — to crack.

Enter the Bhagwa pomegranate: known for its deep red color, sweet taste, and high antioxidant content. Named after the Sanskrit word for “radiant,” Bhagwa is finally getting the red-carpet treatment it deserves.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), along with the USDA-APHIS, India’s NPPO, and the ICAR-National Research Centre for Pomegranate (NRCP), orchestrated this transatlantic fruit odyssey.

Following successful air-freight and static trials that proved the fruit’s shelf life could be stretched to a travel-friendly 60 days, the first maritime shipment — 4,620 boxes worth — was given the green light. Packed in Navi Mumbai and shipped out through Kay Bee Exports, the fruit made its way across oceans in five weeks and arrived in top-notch shape.

“This is a game-changer,” said Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA. “Sea protocols for perishables like pomegranates can reduce logistics costs and unlock long-distance markets that were previously too expensive or risky.”

Pomegranates might not (yet) be as iconic as alphonso mangoes or Darjeeling tea, but their global demand is booming — especially in the U.S., where health-conscious consumers are embracing antioxidant-rich “superfruits.”

And with pre-clearance visits from USDA officials already in motion, the path has been paved for smoother future exports, Indian officials said.