A first, rose-scented litchis from Punjab reach Qatar, UAE markets

India's horticulture export market just got a fillip, thanks to Punjab's Pathankot where a new crop of rose-scented litchis is scripting history. The first ever consignment of the unique stock of litchis was flagged off from Sujanpur for Qatar's Doha this week, with plans to boost exports multifold.

One metric tonne of rose scented litchis reached Doha under a new collaboration between Commerce Ministry and Punjab government to expand national horticulture exports with Pathankot's weather and water major favourable factors.

Another 600 kg of litchi from Pathankot has also been sent to Dubai, UAE marking what is a double export achievement signalling growing potential for India's horticulture exports worldwide.

At the centre of this transformation is Sujanpur based Prabhat Singh, a progressive farmer from Pathankot, who supplied the high quality produce.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the apex body handling horticulture commerce, today said they bought litchi from Singh for nearly Rs 175 a kg and the export value in Doha and Dubai is over Rs 375 a kg. The same crop is fetching as much as 18 pound per two kg.

"Last year we bought rose scented litchis from Prabhat Singh for Rs 90 kg. In just a year, the cost has reached Rs 175 a kg with the crop emerging the best in taste and flavour across the country," APEDA regional head for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh Harpreet Singh told The Tribune today adding that the focus on Punjab horticulture is part of APEDA chief Abhishek Dev's mission.

As for the exported consignment, it consists of a reefer pallet of premium Pathankot litchis and represents a major step forward for the region’s growers.

"The success of farmers like Prabhat Singh also mirrors the potential of Pathankot which has favourable agro-climatic conditions and is an emerging hub for quality litchi cultivation and exports," APEDA said.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also commented on Punjab crossing a horticulture milestone.

"India's commerce is growing with Punjab's litchi from Sujanpur in Pathankot reaching Qatar's markets for the first time," said Goyal.

Data show Punjab’s litchi production for FY 2023–24 was 71,490 metric tonnes, contributing 12.39 pc to India’s total litchi output.

India in the same period exported 639.53 metric tonnes of litchi. The area under cultivation was 4,327 hectares with an average yield of 16,523 kg/ha.

Overall during FY 2024–25 (April–March), India’s export of fruits and vegetables touched 3.87 billion, registering a 5.67 pc growth over the previous year.

At present, mangoes, bananas, grapes and oranges dominate fruit exports from India with cherries, jamun, and litchis increasingly finding place in international markets and national export baskets.