Indian Bananas & Baby Corn Get Permission to Enter in Canadian Market

Negotiations between India's and Canada's National Plant Protection Organizations on market access for Indian bananas and baby corn resulted in Canadian market access for these commodities. This decision by the Canadian government would benefit Indian farmers growing banana and baby corn crops while also increasing India's export earnings.

On April 7, 2022, Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India, and Cameron MacKay, Canadian High Commissioner, met and agreed that fresh baby corn exports from India to Canada could begin in April 2022, following the update of Directive D-95-28: Plant Protection Import and Domestic Movement Requirements for Corn and the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Furthermore, based on the technical information provided by India for fresh bananas, Canada has approved bananas for immediate entry into Canada.

About Indian Banana:

A banana is an edible fruit that is actually a berry that is known for its nutritional value. A single banana contains approximately 100 calories of energy. Bananas are high in fibre, antioxidants, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, in addition to being delicious.

Eating bananas can help you lose weight and improve your digestion. Bananas have been shown in clinical studies to keep the heart young by keeping blood pressure normal and other cardiovascular problems at bay.

India is the world's largest banana producer, and the world consumes more than 100 billion bananas each year. Banana exports have increased dramatically in both quantity and quality over the last three fiscal years. Countries import bananas more than other fruits from the fruit basket, such as grapes, mangoes, and apples.

About Baby Corn:

Two or three days after silk emergence, husked/unhusked ear corn is harvested. It is gaining popularity among farmers due to its low production costs, high demand within the country, promising market, the potential for value addition, support for the local economy, and increased income. Following the harvest of the young ears, the residual stalk and leaves of baby corn can be used as forage, livestock feed, and in the production of silage.

It is used as an ingredient in a variety of dishes both at home and in restaurants. Baby corn has a high phosphorus content (86mg/100g edible portion), folate, fibre, vitamin B, and is low in calories. The young cob is well protected by the husk from insects, pests, fungicides, and insecticides.