Mumbai, Feb 19 (KNN) India, renowned as the world's largest banana producer, has swiftly seized an opportunity in the Russian market following Ecuador's redirection of trade routes.

A Mumbai-based exporter, Gurukrupa Corporation, marked a significant milestone by shipping a 20-tonne consignment of bananas, comprising 1540 boxes, from India to Russia via the sea route, reported businessline.

The consignment, flagged off on February 17, garnered attention as it embarked on its journey from India to Russia.

Abhishek Dev, Chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), commended the initiative and urged fellow exporters to explore innovative shipping methods to tap into new markets.

APEDA pledged full support to facilitate such endeavours, signalling a proactive approach to bolster India's export capabilities.

Gurukrupa Corporation, specialising in fruit and vegetable exports, has a track record of supplying fresh produce to EU and Middle East markets.

Sourcing bananas directly from farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India's leading banana-producing state, the corporation ensures quality by processing the fruit at an APEDA-approved packhouse in Maharashtra.

Each step, from grading and sorting to packaging and containerisation, adheres to stringent quality standards.

The consignment's journey involves transportation to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), where it sets sail for Novorossiysk port in Russia, with Moscow as its final destination.

Notably, APEDA collaborated with the Central Institute of Sub-tropical Horticulture (CISH) to develop a sea protocol for maintaining fruit quality during transit, underscoring India's commitment to delivering premium produce.

Despite being the world's leading banana producer, India's export share remains modest, accounting for only 1 per cent of the global market.

The Commerce Ministry aims to significantly boost banana exports, targeting a USD 1 billion milestone within the next five years.

(KNN Bureau)