Shahi Litchi from Bihar exported to UK

This is the third GI certified agro product, which has been successfully exported from the country this month. Earlier this month, the first consignment of GI-certified Chiku from the Palghar district of Maharashtra was exported to the UK and another consignment of 2.5-tonne mangoes from Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea. ETV Bharat Deputy News Editor Krishnanand Tripathi gives us an insight into the details.

New Delhi: In a major victory for the country’s high-quality agro products, the season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to the United Kingdom on Monday by air, said the government.

The phytosanitary certification for exports of Shahi Litchi was issued from a newly established certification facility at Patna. The fruit is being exported by Cira Enterprises and sourced from farmers in Muzaffarpur in Bihar.

This GI-certified Shahi Litchi from Bihar is being imported by H&J Veg, London.

This is the third GI certified agro product, which has been successfully exported from the country. On May 19, the first consignment of GI-certified Chiku from the Palghar district of Maharashtra was exported to the UK.

Earlier this month, a consignment of 2.5 tonnes of GI-certified 'Banginapalli' and 'Survarnarekha' mangoes sourced from farmers in the Krishna and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh were exported to South Korea.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries collaborated with the Department of Agriculture of Bihar.

The APEDA also engaged with other stakeholders such as farmers, exporters, and importers to facilitate the export of Shahi Litchi to the UK.

According to officials, due to the short shelf life of litchi, there is a need to explore export opportunities for processed and value-added products.

Shahi Litchi 4th Bihar product with GI tag

Shahi litchi is the fourth agricultural product to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018, after Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan.

GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar.

Muzzafarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and adjoining areas of Bihar have a favourable climate for growing Shahi Litchi.

India is the second-largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China. The translucent, flavoured aril or edible flesh of the litchi is popular as a table fruit in India, while in China and Japan it is preferred in dried or canned form. Bihar tops in terms of the production of litchi.

APEDA has been facilitating the Bihar government in formulating State agri-export plan, which would provide a roadmap for boosting agricultural and processed food products exports from the State.

After the finalization of the State agri-export plan, the export potential of Makhana, mango, litchi and other fruits and vegetables can be harnessed, said officials.

The state government is working towards the creation of required infrastructures such as customs clearance facility, laboratory testing facility, pack-houses, pre-cooling facilities to help the agro exporters.