In a significant boost to India’s horticulture exports, a consignment of rose-scented litchis from Pathankot, Punjab, was flagged off to Doha and Dubai on June 23. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Punjab, facilitated the first-ever export of 1 metric tonne of rose-scented litchis to Qatar, along with an additional 0.5 metric tonne consignment to the UAE, marking a notable achievement for Indian agri-exports.
The premium-quality litchis were supplied by progressive farmer Prabhat Singh from Sujanpur and were dispatched in temperature-controlled reefer pallets to ensure freshness and quality. This initiative opens new avenues for Indian farmers by providing greater access to global markets and enhancing their income opportunities.
The shipment was made possible through a collaborative effort involving APEDA, the Punjab Horticulture Department, the Lulu Group, and farmer Prabhat Singh, whose success highlights Pathankot’s emerging potential as a hub for premium litchi cultivation. The region’s favourable agro-climatic conditions further strengthen its role in India’s growing fresh fruit export landscape.
According to the National Horticulture Board, Punjab produced 71,490 metric tonnes of litchis in 2023–24, accounting for over 12% of the country’s total litchi output. With 4,327 hectares under cultivation and a high average yield of 16,523 kg per hectare, the state is quickly becoming a key contributor to India’s litchi exports. In the same period, India exported more than 639 metric tonnes of litchis globally, reflecting growing demand in international markets.
India’s overall fruit and vegetable exports reached USD 3.87 billion in FY 2024–25, registering a 5.67% increase from the previous year. While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges continue to dominate exports, fruits like cherries, jamun, and litchis are steadily gaining traction abroad, underscoring India’s expanding footprint in the global horticulture sector.
