EXPORT OF MORINGA DRUM STICKS FROM INDIA TO THE WORLD

Introduction

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree or moringa, is one of the most nutritious and multipurpose plants cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The tender green pods—popularly called drumsticks—are a staple vegetable in South Asian cuisine and are also used in Ayurvedic and nutraceutical products due to their rich nutritional profile, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Over the past decade, global demand for moringa products, especially drumsticks, has increased significantly due to growing awareness about health, nutrition, and plant-based diets. India, being the largest producer and exporter of moringa, enjoys a strategic advantage in meeting both regional and global market needs.

Drumstick Producing and Exporting States in India

India’s climatic conditions are highly favorable for moringa cultivation, and the crop is widely grown across several states:

Major Producing States

• Andhra Pradesh
• Telangana
• Tamil Nadu
• Karnataka
• Odisha
• Maharashtra
• Bihar
• Uttar Pradesh

Among these, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu are the leading production hubs and also major exporting clusters due to better supply chain networks, processing facilities, and proximity to ports.

The states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have well-developed grading, packaging, cold storage and transport infrastructure, making them exports-ready.

HSN Code

For international trade documentation and customs classification, moringa drum sticks fall under the Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN).

• HSN Code: 0709.99 (which generally covers “Vegetables (fresh or chilled), other than potatoes, not elsewhere specified; fresh leguminous vegetables (excl. shelled).”)

The precise tariff line must be verified with the latest Customs Tariff Notifications, as codes sometimes vary with specific product forms (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried).

Export Policy

The export of moringa drum sticks from India is free, i.e., no export licensing or quota restrictions are imposed under the current Foreign Trade Policy.

However, some regulations must be complied with:

• Phytosanitary Certificate from the Plant Quarantine Department for plant health requirements of the importing country.
• Compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards.
• Adherence to the import requirements of destination markets, including pesticide residue limits and quality standards.

Export Destination Countries

India exports moringa drumsticks to a wide range of international markets. Key destinations include:

1. USA
2. UK and European Union countries
3. Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)
4. Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia)
5. South Africa
6. Australia and New Zealand
7. Canada

In addition, specialized juice and health food markets in Japan and South Korea are emerging destinations.

Export Performance

Over recent years, moringa exports have shown robust growth:

• Increased value realization due to high demand in health-conscious markets.
• Growth driven by both fresh vegetable exports and processed moringa products (picked & trimmed drumsticks, frozen pack, dried powder).
• Export volumes have increased steadily, with a notable surge in premium markets in North America and Europe.

Key factors behind strong export performance:

• Nutritional branding (rich in Vitamin A, C, calcium, iron)
• Organic and health food trends internationally
• Strengthening supply chains and logistics connectivity from Indian agricultural clusters to global markets

Documentation for Export

To export moringa drum sticks, exporters must prepare:

1. Commercial Invoice
2. Packing List
3. Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
4. Phytosanitary Certificate (from Plant Quarantine)
5. FSSAI Export Certificate (for food safety)
6. Certificate of Origin (by Chamber of Commerce)
7. Insurance Certificate
8. Export Declaration Form (EDF) / Shipping Bill
9. GST documents
10. Any Special Certificates required by the importing country (e.g., Organic Certification, Halal Certificate, Phyto Residue tests)

Export Promotion Schemes

To enhance competitiveness, the Government of India offers multiple export incentive schemes:

Duty Drawback

Exporters receive a refund of customs duty paid on imported inputs used in export production. This helps reduce cost and improve export margins.

Interest Subvention Scheme

Under the Interest Equalization Scheme, exporters get subsidized interest rates on pre-export and post-shipment credit, lowering the cost of funds.

RODTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products)

Applies to exports like drum sticks where certain embedded taxes/duties are not refunded elsewhere. RODTEP rates are notified annually.

GST Refund

Exporters can claim a refund of GST paid on inputs and services used for export production or export shipments.

ECGC Support

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) provides credit risk insurance, protecting exporters from buyer defaults and political risks in importing countries.

Freight, Insurance, and Banking Compliances

Freight Management

• Sea Freight: Cost-effective for large shipments; reefer container options required for fresh/export-grade drumsticks.
• Air Freight: Faster delivery, suitable for high-value or perishable consignments but costlier.

Insurance

• Marine cargo insurance is essential to cover the goods in transit against loss/damage.

Banking & RBI Compliance

Exporters must adhere to:

• Realization of export proceeds within RBI stipulated time
• FEMA & RBI guidelines on repatriation and foreign exchange
• Filing Advance Authorization or other scrips where applicable
• Export proceeds should be repatriated and surrendered to banks timely

Nodal Agencies

Several agencies are involved in export facilitation:

• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• FSSAI
• Plant Quarantine
• Customs Department
• RBI & Commercial Banks
• ECGC

Export Promotion Councils

While there is no exclusive council for moringa, the following councils support horticultural/vegetable exports:

• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority)
• Spices Board of India
• State Horticulture Boards

APEDA plays the leading role in export promotion of agricultural and horticultural products, including drumsticks.

Central Government and State Government Support & Initiatives

Central Government

• Focus on Export Promotion Councils
• Financial assistance under various schemes
• Incentives under GST Refund / RODTEP
• Market development assistance

State Government Initiatives

• Horticulture missions
• Cold chain infrastructure
• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) support
• Logistics & export facilitation centers

States like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have invested in collection centers, grading units, and transportation infrastructure to improve export readiness.

Bottlenecks and Challenges

Despite strong export potential, the industry faces challenges:

Production & Quality

• Seasonal production fluctuations
• Ensuring consistent export-grade quality
• Limited cold-chain infrastructure in rural areas

Market Access Issues

• Changing sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements
• High compliance costs for small growers

Logistics & Costs

• High freight costs for perishable cargo
• Limited availability of reefer containers during peak seasons

Finance and Working Capital

• Small exporters face challenges in accessing low-cost working capital
• Delays in subsidy/ incentive disbursement

Branding & Market Intelligence

• Lack of focused brand-building efforts internationally
• Limited data on market trends and consumer preferences

Suggestions for Export Growth of Moringa Drum Sticks

To further strengthen exports, the following strategies are recommended:

1. Improve Production Forecasting: Better data and extension support to growers for year-round supply.

2. Strengthen Cold Chain Networks: Investment in refrigerated transport and storage near production clusters.

3. Quality Certification: Support for Global GAP, Organic, HACCP and other certifications to meet international buyer needs.

4. Export Clusters & Aggregators: Promotion of clusters / FPOs to aggregate volumes and improve bargaining power.

5. Market Development: Government and industry collaboration for trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and export branding.

6. E-commerce Export Platforms: Leverage online platforms (B2B & B2C) to reach niche global buyers.

7. Streamlined Incentive Flow: Faster and transparent subsidy & refund processing by public agencies.

Conclusion

India is uniquely positioned as a global leader in the production and export of moringa drum sticks due to its favorable agro-climatic conditions, low production costs, and growing global demand for nutritious plant-based foods. With strengthened infrastructure, quality improvements, proactive government support, and strategic market development, Indian moringa exporters can significantly increase global market share, enhance farmer incomes, and position India as the preferred global supplier of moringa drum sticks.