Inaugural shipment from Arunachal Pradesh seeks to assess consumer demand in the UAE as part of efforts to expand international markets for the local industry
The Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh sent its first consignment of premium kiwifruit to Dubai this week, marking a significant milestone for the state’s fresh produce industry, according to a report by local publication Hub News.
The 1.5-tonne trial shipment, which departed on 26 October, was officially launched with a ceremony at the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat in Itanagar. It was attended by agriculture and allied departments minister Gabriel D. Wangsu, trade and commerce advisor Dr. Mohesh Chai, Ziro MLA Hage Appa, secretary of trade and commerce Bulo Mamu as well as other officials and growers.
Arunachal Pradesh is home to the Ziro Valley, which is located in the Lower Subansiri district. According to Hub News, this region is widely known as the “Kiwi Capital of India” thanks to its temperate climate, fertile soil and high-altitude growing conditions which support the production of kiwifruit.
Despite ideal growing conditions, growers have faced challenges in accessing distant markets due to high transportation costs, limited cold-chain infrastructure and competition from imported kiwifruit from countries such as New Zealand, Chile and Italy.
To support the local industry, the state government and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, have been working to promote Ziro kiwi in domestic and international markets, with an emphasis on organic cultivation and export readiness.
This inaugural consignment was sent under the Arunachal Kiwi Project, a joint initiative of the state’s Departments of Trade and Commerce and Horticulture and the Agricultural and APEDA, to promote Ziro kiwifruit in domestic and international markets.
The initiative aims to assess consumer demand in the UAE, establish long-term market linkages and create direct commercial opportunities for growers. The fruit will be used for promotional displays at LuLu Hypermarket outlets in Dubai.
Wangsu described the achievement as a testament to the hard work of kiwifruit growers and the rising potential of the state’s horticulture sector, Hub News said. He stressed the need to maintain quality standards, ensure regular supplies and build sustainable market linkages to establish Arunachal Pradesh’s presence in international markets.
To maintain these standards, APEDA and the Indian Institute of Packaging have initiated training for growers in Ziro on post-harvest handling, sorting and packaging.
