The first trial shipment of 1.2 MT of Garhwali Apples (King Roat variety) has been flagged of from Dehradun to Dubai. 

The trial shipment was facilitated by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India on Thursday. 

This marks another significant step to enhance agricultural exports from the state of Uttarakhand.

The flag-off of Garhwali apples to Dubai represents the beginning of a promising journey. Lessons from this trial shipment will help refine cold chain management, post-harvest handling, and logistics frameworks. With APEDA and the Government of Uttarakhand working hand in hand, more farmer groups are expected to benefit, and export destinations are likely to expand to Southeast Asia and Europe in the coming years.

In an interaction with stakeholders, the Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Shri Sunil Barthwal, highlighted the importance of diversifying India’s agri-export basket and bringing unique, region-specific products such as Garhwali apples to international consumers. 

This shipment is part of APEDA’s broader roadmap to strengthen Uttarakhand’s agri-export ecosystem. Going forward, the authority will focus on promoting millets, coarse grains, organic produce, pulses, citrus fruits, kiwi, herbs, and medicinal plants from the state. 

APEDA is also working to establish a dedicated Regional Office in Dehradun to provide closer handholding support to farmers and exporters.
 

Additionally, APEDA is facilitating organic certification and GI tagging for Uttarakhand-specific produce to enhance their recognition, traceability, and competitiveness in global markets. An MoU has also been signed with M/s Lulu Group for executing export trials of regional products in its international retail chains.

Alongside export promotion, APEDA is also leading plantation campaigns in collaboration with the Centre for Aromatic Plants, Dehradun. As part of a pilot initiative, 2,200 saplings of Timru have been planted in Pauri district to encourage sustainable cultivation and open avenues for future export potential.

During FY 2024–25, exports of APEDA-scheduled products from across India reached ₹243,004.89 crore, while Uttarakhand’s contribution stood at ₹201 crore. So far, the state’s primary exports have included jaggery, confectionery, and guar gum. However, APEDA is actively diversifying into new segments such as fresh fruits, millets, and organic products.

Recognizing this gap, APEDA has been actively working with the state government, exporters, and farmer groups to build sustainable export pathways. The authority has focused on sensitizing growers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), adherence to international quality standards, and post-harvest management techniques. 

By extending technical handholding support, APEDA has instilled confidence among farmers to meet the stringent requirements of global buyers.

This landmark development is not only a matter of pride for the apple growers of Pauri Garhwal but also represents a major step toward positioning Uttarakhand as an important contributor to India’s agricultural export basket. 

The program was attended by the Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev, the Additional Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, Ms. Jharna Kamthan, and the Director, Centre for Aromatic Plants, Dr. Nripendra Chauhan, along with senior officials from APEDA and the Government of Uttarakhand, reaffirming the collective commitment of institutions toward supporting farmers and promoting the state’s produce in global markets.