Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

21-March-2012 17:28 IST

Steps to boost Export of Apples

 As per UNCOMTRADE data, the global export of apples during the year 2010 was 71.02 lakh MTs whereas India’s export of apples during the same year was 1946 MT.  Therefore, India’s share in export is a meager 0.02%. The reasons for low share of India’s apple export in the world are including:

Ø  High demand and lucrative prices in the domestic market

Ø  Lack of cold chain infrastructure facilities

Ø  Poor rail and road connectivity in apple producing states

  Encouraging exports is a continuous process.  The Government is taking steps to encourage exports of agro products, including apples through measures and incentives under Plan schemes of the Commodity Boards and Export Promotion Councils. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce is also implementing various Schemes to extend financial assistance to the eligible exporters registered with it to boost the overall agri exports.  Besides these measures, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has put in place various schemes namely Market Development Assistance (MDA), Market Assistance Initiative (MAI), Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities(ASIDE), Vishesh Krishi and Gram Upaj Yojana, Focus Product Scheme, Focus Market Scheme, Town of Export Excellence, etc. to provide assistance to encourage exports. Trade delegations are also mounted to penetrate foreign markets and Buyer –Seller Meets are organized to assist the potential exports.  During the last three years APEDA has provided Rs.6.84 crore to Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd. (HPMC) for Integrated Packhouse in Kinnaur, Jarol Ticker, Oddi, Kumarsain, Shimla,, Gumma, Patlikuhl, Kullu, and Rs.11.11 crore to HPMC for Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Stores in Gumma and Jarol Tikker.

On account of above efforts, the export of apple has registered 86.10% growth during 2010-11 over previous year.

This information was given by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia , Minister of State for Commerce & Industry  in written reply to a question in  Rajya    Sabha today.

DS/GK

Export promotion for apples facing infrastructure constraints; government schemes and incentives aim to boost overseas shipments. Low global share of Indian apple exports is linked to strong domestic demand, deficient cold chain and transport connectivity. The government employs multiple export promotion schemes administered through commodity boards, Export Promotion Councils and APEDA-including Market Development Assistance, export infrastructure grants and targeted programmes-to provide financial assistance, mount trade delegations and organize buyer-seller meets. APEDA has financed integrated packhouses and Controlled Atmosphere storage through grants to a state horticultural corporation to enhance post harvest capacity and support export growth.