Spread the news
Chandigarh, July 1
Punjab has marked a major milestone in agricultural exports with the first-ever shipment of fresh lychees from Hoshiarpur district to Oman. The export, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is expected to strengthen the state’s horticulture sector while promoting the cooperative farming model.
APEDA connected the Unati Agri Allied Cooperative Society with an overseas buyer and supported the complete export process from farm to destination. The lychees were packed in Modified Atmosphere Packaging bags ranging from 1 to 5 kilograms, with technical assistance from M/S Super Plum to maintain freshness and extend shelf life during transportation. The consignment will be marketed in Oman through Lulu Group, providing Punjab’s lychees access to international consumers and helping expand India’s presence in the global fresh fruit market.
Officials said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sahkar Se Samruddhi by linking farmer cooperatives with global markets and creating new opportunities for agricultural exports. The inaugural consignment was facilitated under the guidance of APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev and flagged off by Harpreet Singh in the presence of officials and representatives of the cooperative society.
The export follows the recent inauguration of APEDA’s regional office in Chandigarh, which aims to strengthen export facilitation, improve market access and provide greater support to farmers and exporters across Punjab. It also marks the first overseas shipment of fresh produce from a cooperative society facilitated by APEDA Punjab.
Harpreet Singh said the initiative would help increase farmers’ incomes, encourage the cultivation of export-quality fruits, further strengthen India’s position in the international fresh fruit market, and promote the cooperative model for rural prosperity. Officials said the successful export represents an important step in expanding Punjab’s agricultural export potential and opening new international markets for the state’s horticulture produce.
