The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first export shipment of premium cherries and plums from Jammu and Kashmir to the United Arab Emirates, marking a new milestone for the Union Territory’s high‑value horticulture exports. The inaugural consignment of one metric tonne of stone fruits, sourced from farmers in Shopian and Pulwama districts, has been dispatched to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, signalling growing global interest in Indian premium fruits.
Higher Price Realisation For Growers
The initiative is expected to significantly boost farmer incomes by providing access to premium overseas markets and better price realisation. Growers linked to this export supply chain have earned nearly 60 per cent higher returns for cherries and around 120 per cent higher returns for plums compared to prevailing domestic market prices, underscoring the value addition through export‑led market access.
Export Promotion Push For Horticulture
APEDA has underlined its commitment to expanding market access for Indian farmers via export promotion, quality enhancement and global buyer outreach for horticulture produce. The successful shipment of Jammu and Kashmir’s Areko cherries and Scentrose plums to the UAE is expected to strengthen the international positioning of India’s fruit basket and open new export opportunities for growers in the region.
