Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has announced the first-ever export of three metric tons of GI-tagged Swadeshi Indi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, to the United Arab Emirates. The export was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Sharing the update on social media, Goyal wrote, "India's GI-tagged products are making their mark globally. Kudos to APEDADOC for facilitating the first-ever export of 3 MT of GI-tagged Swadeshi Indi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, to the UAE. This milestone unlocks fresh avenues for India's GI-tagged agri products in global markets & will create greater opportunities for our farmers & exporters."
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag certifies products that have unique qualities linked to their region of origin. The Swadeshi Indi Lime is recognised for its strong aroma and distinct taste, and has now become part of India's expanding export portfolio of GI-tagged produce.
This development follows the first trial shipment of 1.2 metric tons of Garhwali Apples (King Roat variety) from Dehradun to Dubai earlier this month. That shipment, also facilitated by APEDA, was flagged off by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, these initiatives are intended to provide farmers with access to international markets and higher incomes.
In addition to limes and apples, apricot exports from Kargil have recently entered markets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. The exports totaled 1.5 metric tons and were carried out under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, a program that identifies, promotes, and brands unique agricultural products from different districts across India.
Commenting on the apricot exports, Goyal wrote on X that the outcome shows growing international demand for Indian fruits. He added that the initiative reflects the government's "Vocal for Local, Global Outreach" campaign, which aims to improve farmer welfare through expanded export opportunities.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) leads the ODOP scheme to promote balanced regional development. By targeting products such as Indi Lime, Garhwali Apples, and Kargil Apricots, the initiative seeks to link local producers with global buyers, enhancing export potential while creating sustainable opportunities for rural producers.
Source: ANI News