LEH: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday flagged off the first export consignment of five metric tonnes (MT) of fresh apricots from Ladakh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the launch of what the administration described as the region’s largest fresh apricot export programme.
The export has been facilitated under a memorandum of understanding signed in April this year between the Ladakh Administration and UAE-based Lulu Retail through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The agreement envisages the export of more than 1,000 MT of fresh apricots during the current harvest season.
According to the administration, the proposed exports mark a significant increase from the 1,500 kg of apricots exported over the previous two years.
Officials said the administration, with support from the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), has arranged cold-chain transportation to maintain the quality of the highly perishable fruit during transit.
The export programme focuses on the indigenous Raktsey Karpo and Halman varieties, which are grown in Ladakh and are known for their flavour and organic cultivation.
Addressing the event, Saxena said the initiative would provide local farmers with access to international markets and improve returns by ensuring better prices for their produce.
According to the administration, the arrangement with Lulu Retail will see the company manage harvesting, sorting, grading, packaging and transportation, reducing post-harvest losses and easing the marketing burden on farmers.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the initiative would create new market opportunities, boost farmers’ incomes and strengthen Ladakh’s horticulture sector.
