New Delhi: In a significant milestone for India's agricultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports, has successfully completed India's first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates to Australia via sea. This marks a major breakthrough in expanding market access for Indian fresh produce.

After gaining market access for Indian pomegranates in Australia, a work plan and Standard Operating Procedures for export were signed in February 2024. The first air shipment took place in July 2024 following successful facilitation by APEDA and the National Plant Protection Organisation. The air shipment helped assess market demand, leading to follow-up sea shipments to optimise cost efficiency.

The first-ever sea-freight shipment departed from India on 6 December 2024 and arrived in Sydney on 13 January 2025 with 5.7 metric tons of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra, packed into 1,900 boxes, each containing 3 kg of premium fruit. Another commercial sea shipment carrying 1,872 boxes (6.56 tons) of Bhagwa variety arrived in Brisbane on 6 January 2025. The use of bulk sea shipment ensured competitive pricing, benefiting farmers and creating sustainable trade opportunities. Both shipments were integrated into ANARNET, India's traceability system, ensuring transparency and building consumer confidence in international markets. This successful export highlights India's capabilities in meeting global quality standards while providing Indian farmers with new revenue streams.

Upon arrival, the pomegranates received a highly positive response in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The strong demand has already led to immediate requests for additional shipments, demonstrating the growing potential for a profitable and sustainable trade relationship between India and Australia. The shipment’s timing was strategically aligned with Australia’s non-producing season, maximising market opportunities for Indian exporters.

Abhishek Dev, Chairman APEDA, said, “India’s agricultural export landscape is growing at an unprecedented pace, with fresh fruit exports surging by 29 percent year-on-year. Pomegranates alone have seen a 20 percent growth, demonstrating the immense potential of this segment. The successful shipments of premium pomegranates to Australia highlight India’s ability to supply high-quality fresh produce to discerning international markets. Through advanced traceability systems like ANARNET, we ensure that Indian agricultural products meet the highest global standards, enhancing consumer trust worldwide.”

Abhishek Dev also emphasised APEDA’s role in securing and facilitating market access for Indian farmers, stating, “We are committed to supporting Indian farmers and agri-entrepreneurs by expanding into new and emerging markets. This success paves the way for further collaborations and increased export volumes in the future.”

With the next export season beginning in September, AgroStar’s INI Farms, Kay Bee Exports and other key players are set to build on this success, ensuring a steady supply of Indian pomegranates to Australia. This development reinforces India’s position as a global leader in agricultural exports and strengthens trade ties with Australia.

APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, playing a crucial role in facilitating agricultural and processed food exports. APEDA supports Indian farmers and agri-businesses by promoting market development, infrastructure expansion and export promotion through traceability systems like ANARNET. India’s agricultural exports, including fresh fruits, vegetables, basmati rice and processed foods, continue to see strong growth, reinforcing the country’s position in global agri-trade.

BI Bureau