NEW DELHI, Feb 17: India has made history by shipping its first commercial trial of pomegranates to Australia via sea route, according to an official statement released on Monday.
Currently, pomegranate exports are primarily conducted through air transportation due to lower export volumes and varying ripening schedules.
According to the commerce ministry, following the establishment of market access for Indian pomegranates in Australia, a comprehensive work plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were formalized in February 2024.
The inaugural air shipment occurred in July 2024, facilitating an assessment of market demand, which subsequently prompted sea shipments aimed at enhancing cost efficiency.
“The initial sea-freight shipment departed from India on December 6, 2024, and reached Sydney on January 13 with 5.7 tonnes of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra,” the statement noted, adding that another commercial sea shipment of 6.56 tonnes of the Bhagwa variety arrived in Brisbane, Australia, on January 6. (PTI)
