GUWAHATI: In a major boost to harness export potential of agricultural and processed food products from north-eastern states, a shipment of fresh Burmese grapes was exported from Guwahati to Dubai by air on Saturday.
Commonly known as ‘leteku’ in Assamese, the consignment was exported by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) registered Kiega EXIM Pvt Ltd from Guwahati airport to Dubai via Delhi.
It was sourced and packed at a collection centre in lower Assam’s Darrang district.
APEDA has been carrying out promotional activities to bring the northeastern states on the agricultural and processed food products export map of India.
“The fruit makes a very pretty sight hanging in bunches all along the bark and the branches like tree ornaments.
It is rich in vitamin C and iron.
It is available in the northeast but we knew little that it could be exported.
With this first shipment, APEDA plans to promote more such medicinal and exotic fruits of the northeast,” APEDA chairman M Angamuthu said.
Though this is the first ever shipment of ‘leteku’, to be sent to the Middle East by the central government agency, they are expecting a positive market response.
“Anyone knowing about it’s health benefits will surely love to consume it.
There are abundant exotic fruits in the northeast with immense nutritional value.
But these are little known even in other Indian states,” an APEDA official said.
APEDA recently facilitated exports of the first consignment of ‘red rice’ from Assam to the United States.
Rich in iron, this variety of rice is grown in Brahmaputra Valley without the use of any chemical fertilizer.
Referred as ‘Bao-dhaan’ in local parlance, this variety of rice is an integral part of Assamese cuisine.
APEDA also assisted in exports of Geographical Indications (GI) certified ‘kaji nemu’ (Assam lemon) to London.
So far around 40 metric tonnes of Assam lemon has been exported.
This apart, jackfruits sourced from the Tripura-based Krishi Sanyoga Agro Producer Company Ltd was also exported to London.
The consignment was packed at APEDA assisted pack-house facility of Salt Range Supply Chain Solution Ltd and exported by Kiega EXIM Pvt Ltd.
“APEDA has provided financial assistance to the private sector to set up a packaging house in Guwahati which has fulfilled the mandatory requirement or infrastructure for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to Europe.
We are undertaking market promotion activities for evolving structured marketing strategies for export of food products, market intelligence for taking informed decisions, international exposure, skill development, capacity building and high-quality packaging,” the official added.