In a major milestone for Uttarakhand’s agricultural exports, the state government has successfully dispatched its first trial shipment of 1.2 metric tons of the rare and prized King Roat variety of apples from Pauri Garhwal to Dubai, UAE. This marks a significant attempt by Uttarakhand to diversify and expand its agri-export basket beyond traditional products like jaggery, spices, and pulses.
The flagging off ceremony was held in Dehradun and led by Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal, in collaboration with the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. APEDA is also fast-tracking the establishment of a regional office in Dehradun to support a growing ecosystem of farmers and exporters engaged in fresh fruit and organic product exports.
About King Roat Apples and Their Export Potential
The King Roat apples hail from the high-altitude orchards of Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand and are renowned for their crisp texture, natural sweetness, and rich taste. Despite their unique qualities, these apples have remained mostly confined to domestic markets due to infrastructural and logistical challenges. The trial shipment to Dubai intends to change that dynamic.
The UAE market is a strategic entry point, promising access to consumers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and beyond. With increasing demand for exotic and high-quality fruits, Uttarakhand’s foothold in the Middle East could pave the way for further exports to Southeast Asian and European markets in the years ahead.
Government Support and Strategic Initiatives
The Indian government, through APEDA and the Ministry of Commerce, has been encouraging diversification of the country’s agri-export portfolio by promoting region-specific unique products such as the Garhwali King Roat apple. The government’s active involvement extends to technical capacity-building, good agricultural practices training, organic certification facilitation, and cold-chain management improvements for better post-harvest handling.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal highlighted that these efforts not only uplift farmers’ incomes in Uttarakhand but also elevate the state as a key player in India’s agricultural export strategy. Initiatives like MoUs with major international retail chains, including the Lulu Group operating in the Middle East, are part of the outreach to create reliable export and retailing pathways for Uttarakhand’s produce.
Broader Impacts on Uttarakhand’s Agricultural Exports
The King Roat apple export trial aligns with Uttarakhand’s broader goal to develop its agribusiness ecosystem. Apart from apples, the roadmap includes promoting exports of millets, pulses, aromatic plants, honey, kiwi, mango, litchi, and various vegetables. These diversified agricultural exports will boost farmers’ livelihoods and generate new revenue streams for the state.
The success of this shipment will help refine cold chain logistics, improve infrastructural linkages, and encourage more farmers to adopt international quality standards, thereby expanding the volume and scale of fresh fruit exports in years to come.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the export of King Roat apples heralds optimism, challenges remain, notably in strengthening supply chains, maintaining post-harvest freshness, and ensuring timely delivery to overseas markets. Government backing through APEDA’s regional presence and technical support is expected to address these bottlenecks.
Conclusion: An Export Frontier Opens for Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand’s shipment of King Roat apples to the UAE marks a historic step in globalizing the state’s agricultural produce and offers promising prospects for farmers and exporters. This strategic export expansion not only diversifies the state’s agri-business but also represents India’s broader ambition to boost farm incomes through organic, niche, and high-value product exports.
Relevant Sources: IndiaSeaTradeNews, Indian Express, Fresh Plaza, New Indian Express, Assam Tribune
