The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with exporters successfully completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates to Australia via sea.

About APEDA

• Established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.
• Ministry Oversight : Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• Objective : To develop and promote the export of scheduled products and ensure that Indian agricultural exports meet global quality standards.
• Examples of Scheduled Products: Includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry products, dairy products, confectionery, biscuits, bakery products, honey, jaggery, and more.
• Additional Responsibility: APEDA is also entrusted with monitoring the import of sugar into India.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Composition: The APEDA Authority comprises a Chairman appointed by the Central Government, members from various ministries, Parliament, state governments, agricultural research bodies, export councils, and industry representatives, ensuring comprehensive sectoral representation
• Role in Organic Exports
  • Functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for implementing accreditation of Certification Bodies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
  • Organic products for export must be produced, processed, and packed according to the standards laid out in NPOP to be certified.

About Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

• Origin: Believed to be native to Iran and Northern India.
• Cultivation Spread: Grown extensively in India, Iran, Turkey, Spain, the United States, and China.
• Agro-Climatic Conditions for Cultivation: 
  • Rainfall:  Requires low to moderate rainfall; excessive rain can lead to fruit cracking.
  • Temperature: Thrives in hot, dry summers and cool winters with optimum temperature range of 25-35°C.
  • Soil Type: Prefers well-drained, sandy loam to clay loam soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
• Sangola and Bhagwa are premium pomegranate varieties known for:
  • High sugar content, making them naturally sweet.
  • Deep red arils, which enhance their visual appeal and market demand.
  • Long shelf life, making them suitable for export markets.
• Major Cultivation Regions
  • Maharashtra (especially Solapur region) is the key production hub due to its ideal agro-climatic conditions.
  • Other states in India include Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

Global Scenario of Pomegranate Production

• Major Producing Countries are India, Iran, Turkey, Spain, the USA, and China.
• India’s Position : India is the largest producer of pomegranates globally.
  • India contributes over 50% of the world’s pomegranate production.
  • Annual Production (2023-24) : Approximately 3.1 million metric tons. 
  • Major Export Destinations : UAE, Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, UK, Germany, Russia, and now Australia.