Centre Together with Manipur Govt. Organizes In-Store Export Promotion Show for Pineapples in Dubai

In order to maximise the export potential of naturally grown, organic certified fresh pineapples from the North-Eastern Region (NER), the centre organized an in-store export promotion programme for Manipur's pineapples in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The 'in-store promotion show' of organic certified fibre rich Kwe variety of pineapples from Manipur was organized in collaboration with Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) of the Government of Manipur at the Lulu hypermarket, Dubai's largest supermarket. This event is part of the government's international marketing strategy for locally produced agricultural products.

Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) has helped to source organic certified Kwe pineapples directly from Manipur farmers. The Manipur pineapple, which is being promoted with the help of APEDA, is a fiber-rich sweetener from the North Eastern Region (NER). Thayong Organic Producer Company Ltd in Imphal East district, Manipur, provides the pineapples on display.

Consumers were offered Manipur pineapple to taste the sweetness of the fruit at the in-store export promotion show. Northeast pineapple is one of the most important tropical fruits grown in the NER, and fiber-rich fruit is grown throughout the region. Manipur ranks sixth in pineapple production, accounting for 7.46 percent of total production in India, with a production of 134.82 metric tonnes (MT) in 2020-21.

UAE, Nepal, Qatar, Maldives, USA, Bhutan, Belgium, Iran, Bahrain, and Oman are the top ten importers of Indian pineapples. In the fiscal year 2021-22, 7665.42 MT of pineapples worth USD 4.45 million were exported. APEDA intervention has resulted in a significant increase in agricultural exports from NE states such as Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Meghalaya in recent years.

Aside from pineapple, the APEDA has decided to promote other locally grown unique horticultural products from Manipur to the international market. Tamenglong orange, kachai lemon, black rice, and other unique Manipur products. In 2018, Tripura was the first North Eastern state to export its 'queen' pineapple variety to Dubai and Doha. In 2020, Tripura's pineapple will also be exported to Bangladesh. In 2019, Assam also made its debut in pineapple export to Dubai.

In the last six years, the NE region's agricultural product exports increased by 85.34 percent, rising from USD 2.52 million in 2016-17 to USD 17.2 million in 2021-22. Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and Europe have been the top export destinations.

APEDA has organised 136 capacity building programmes on export awareness across NER over the last three years. The most capacity-building programmes were held in NER in 2019-20, with 62, followed by 21 in 2020-21 and 53 by APEDA in 2021-22. Aside from capacity-building initiatives, APEDA has organised 22 International Buyer-Seller Meets and trade fairs in NER over the last three years.

APEDA also organised a conference on the Export Potential of Natural, Organic, and Geographical Indications (GI) Agro Products on June 24, 2022 in Guwahati to capitalise on the abundant export potential of organic agricultural products from Assam and neighbouring NER states.

APEDA intends to establish a platform in Manipur for exporters to obtain products directly from the producer group and processors. The platform will connect Assam's producers and processors with exporters from other parts of the country, expanding the base of export pockets in the North-Eastern states, including Manipur, and increasing job opportunities for the people of the state.

On the occasion, APEDA chairman Dr. M. Angamuthu emphasised the importance of promoting processed forms of value-added pineapple in order to maintain a long-term presence in the global export market.

"Through Lulu Group, we need to focus on promoting processed pineapple sourced from farmers in the Gulf countries." "It will help farmers get a better price for their produce," Dr Angamuthu said. The meeting was also attended by P Vaiphel, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur.