NEW DELHI: In a major boost to agricultural exports from Jharkhand, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry flagged off the state’s first commercial consignment of fresh mangoes to the UK at a ceremony held in Kolkata.
The consignment consists of 1.5 metric tonnes of fresh Amrapali mangoes sourced from Beura Farmer Producer Company Ltd., an all-women Farmer Producer Company (FPC) based in Bano Block of Simdega district. The shipment is being exported by M/s JGB Agrofresh Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, to London in the UK, according to an official statement.
The export follows an Export-Oriented Capacity Building Programme conducted by APEDA on May 5, 2026, for Farmer-Producer Companies (FPCs), Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs), and progressive farmers of Simdega district. The programme focused on export requirements, quality standards, and market opportunities.
As part of the initiative, APEDA facilitated a linkage between Beura Farmer Producer Company Ltd. and M/s JGB Agrofresh Pvt. Ltd. for procurement of export-quality mangoes from the district. The current shipment is the outcome of that effort.
The initiative has enabled the women-led FPC to directly participate in the export value chain while providing market access to its member farmers. Farmers associated with the FPC received higher returns for their produce compared to prevailing domestic market prices.
Officials said the initiative is expected to encourage farmer groups in the region to adopt quality production practices, improve post-harvest management, and comply with international standards, thereby enhancing export readiness.
Jharkhand’s favourable agro-climatic conditions support horticultural cultivation, and the Amrapali variety grown in the state is widely recognised for its quality and market acceptance. With the latest consignment, Jharkhand has joined the list of Indian states exporting fresh fruits to international markets.
APEDA promotes exports of agricultural and processed food products through market development initiatives, capacity-building programmes, quality improvement measures, traceability systems, and export promotion activities. The authority also supports the participation of farmer collectives, including women-led and tribal producer organisations, in agricultural exports.
The export of the first commercial consignment of fresh mangoes from Jharkhand marks an important step towards integrating farmer-producer organisations from the state with global markets while expanding opportunities for local growers.
