India Strengthens Food Safety Standards To Boost Fruit Exports To The US

India is working to improve its food safety standards to secure greater market access for fruits such as grapes, bananas, and pomegranates in the United States. While discussions on a broader trade deal between the two countries continue, Indian officials are focusing on addressing stringent sanitary and phytosanitary measures that have historically led to shipment rejections.  

Key Challenges In Exporting Fruits To The US  

- The US has strict disease control measures, making it difficult for Indian grapes to gain acceptance in the American market  
- Indian farm exports often face rejection due to inconsistencies in documentation and compliance with mandatory irradiation processes  
- The geographical distance between India and the US, along with competition from Peruvian grapes, adds to the challenges of expanding exports  

Government Initiatives To Improve Standards  

- India is working on enhancing the safety protocols for perishable products such as grapes, bananas, and pomegranates to meet US import requirements  
- Officials are focusing on plugging loopholes in sanitary and phytosanitary measures to prevent shipment rejections  
- The government aims to replicate successful irradiation processes used for mango exports, though not all fruits can withstand the treatment  

Trade Expansion And Future Prospects  

- India exported fresh fruits worth $563.30 million globally in FY2024-25, with grapes accounting for $353.50 million  
- The US remains a minor market for Indian grapes, bananas, and pomegranates, with exports valued at $0.73 million, $0.05 million, and $3.88 million, respectively  
- India and the US are negotiating a trade deal under the "Mission 500" initiative, which aims to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030  

Future Outlook  

With ongoing efforts to improve food safety standards, India hopes to expand its fruit exports to the US in the coming years. Strengthening compliance measures and addressing documentation challenges will be crucial in securing greater market access.  

Sources: Moneycontrol, The Hindu, USDA.