Indo-Russian Relations
Daily coverage of what makes ties between Delhi & Moscow ever-lasting — even in times of western sanctions.

First Shipment of Indian Bananas to Russia Leaves for Moscow

© AP Photo / Charles KrupaBananas are displayed at the Fresh Start Food Hub & Market, Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Bananas are displayed at the Fresh Start Food Hub & Market, Thursday, June 15, 2023. - Sputnik India, 1920, 19.02.2024
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The Indian Commerce Ministry has expressed confidence that there is a "significant potential" for increasing exports of fresh bananas from India to Russia.
A consignment of 20 metric tonnes of bananas, or 1,540 boxes, was shipped from India’s Mumbai port to Russia’s Novorossiysk port this week, a statement from the Indian Commerce Ministry said on Sunday evening.
The bananas, grown in the state of Andhra Pradesh, will be transported to Moscow, the final destination of the shipment.
“Recently, Russia has shown keen interest in the procurement of tropical fruits from India with bananas being one of them, which significantly is a major agricultural import of Russia, which was presently, primarily being imported from Ecquador, in Latin America,” the Commerce Ministry noted.
The exporting of the tropical fruit was facilitated by the Indian government agency Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), according to the official statement.
The statement said that Gurukrupa Corporation, an Indian company, sourced the bananas directly from the farmers in Andhra Pradesh, which is the biggest banana-growing state in India.

India Aims to Boost Banana Exports to $1 Billion

The Commerce Ministry statement noted that in spite of being the largest producer of bananas in the world, India's share in the global export market stood at just around one percent.
India's banana exports in 2022-23 were valued at around $176 million, it said.
"Within the next five years, banana exports from India are expected to achieve the target of $1 billion. This achievement will ensure an increase in farmers’ income and improve the livelihood of more than 25,000 farmers, and is estimated to generate employment for more than 50,000 aggregators directly or indirectly linked to the supply chain," it said.
At present, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and the Maldives rank as top export destinations for Indian bananas.
Banana - Sputnik India, 1920, 13.02.2024
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