ENA Global 2025-08-22 16:36:36 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Aug 22 (KNN)</strong> India has dispatched its first trial shipment of 1.2 metric tons of Garhwali Apples (King Roat variety) from Dehradun to Dubai, marking a step toward increasing and diversifying the countrys agricultural exports.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently addressed apple growers in Srinagar regarding import concerns. He explained that imported apples cost Rs 75-80 per kg due to a Minimum Import Price of Rs 50, plus a 50 per cent import duty and additional cesses.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Clearance, marketing, transport, and distribution further raise retail prices to Rs. 125-150 per kg.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He emphasised that the government already provides significant support to domestic growers but must balance their interests with the needs of 140 crore consumers, as excessively high prices could reduce demand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">India currently produces fewer apples than required, importing approximately 4.5 to 5 lakh tons annually.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">During the flag-off of the trial shipment in Dehradun, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal urged the Agricultural &amp; Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to speed up the opening of its Uttarakhand regional office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The office aims to boost exports of fresh fruits, millets, pulses, and organic products, complementing the states existing exports of jaggery, confectionery, and guar gum.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">APEDA is working with farmers to expand access to international markets, focusing on infrastructure, connectivity, post-harvest handling, and adherence to Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and global quality standards.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Efforts are ongoing to improve cold chain management, logistics, and post-harvest frameworks to meet strict international buyer requirements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The authority also plans to expand export destinations in Europe and Southeast Asia, facilitate organic certification, and secure GI tagging for certain products to improve traceability and competitiveness.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">An MoU with the Lulu Group will enable trial exports of regional products through its international retail chains.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 43239 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/india-sends-first-trial-shipment-of-garhwali-apples-to-dubai-boosting-agri-exports 2025-08-22 16:36:36 knnindia.co.in