In a move that could boost agricultural and food products exports from Ladakh, the first commercial shipment of Apricot sourced from the Union Territory (UT) region of Ladakh has been exported to Dubai.

APEDA has been working to establish an export value chain for Ladakh Apricot in association with an importer Group based in Dubai. The consignment of Apricot was transhipped from Leh, Ladakh to Mumbai before being exported to Dubai. APEDA exported the shipment registered Exporter from Mumbai.

Ladakh Apricots have a unique soothing taste and texture with high sugar contents and total soluble solids. UT of Ladakh produces several varieties of Apricots, out of which four to five types are taken up for commercial cultivation and export opportunities exist for these varieties.

Before this shipment to Dubai, few sample shipments of fresh apricots were sent during August from Leh to Dubai by air.

APEDA is currently assisting the exports in building the brand of Ladakh Apricots. The fruit for the shipment was harvested, cleaned and packed by local entrepreneurs who were provided technical assistance by APEDA on the requirements of the export value chain.

This export of Ladakh Apricots opens up the potential of shipments of other temperate fruits and organic products from the region to Middle-east countries. There have been repeat orders for shipment of Ladakh Apricots to various other destinations of Middle Eastern countries such as Oman and Qatar.

To boost exports of agricultural produce from Ladakh, which would enhance farmers’ and entrepreneurs’ income, APEDA in association with officials of the horticulture, agriculture, commerce and industry departments of Union Territory and Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research are working out a comprehensive plan of actions.

Following a series of interactions held recently at Ladakh, identified areas of work include enhancing the production of fruits with medicinal values, including sea buckthorn, apricot and organic produce, introducing the traceability system, capacity-building of farmers, and value addition of products.

Technical assistance for building stakeholder capacity, including entrepreneurs, officials, farmers, branding and marketing of Ladakhi products and making Ladakh an ‘organic’ region is in process. APEDA would provide special assistance for branding and promoting Ladakhi products, especially sea buckthorn, which is rich in Vitamin C, omega and other essential nutrients.

In its promotion program, APEDA mentioned that this is just the beginning of exports of Ladakh products; it will explore more and more products from UT of Ladakh to the overseas market for boosting exports from the region in the coming days. This initiative will result in generating better realization to the Ladakh products.

Although the Ladakh Apricot season is going to over during the next fortnight, shipments from higher altitude areas of Ladakh are being persuaded for a consistent supply of fresh Ladakh Apricots to all destinations in Middle Eastern markets.

Secretary Agriculture, UT of Ladakh and Secretary Commerce & Industry, UT of Ladakh mentioned that the UT produces approximately 15,789 MT of Apricots out of which four to five varieties are fit for exports. The UT would be able to enhance production and introduce new commercial varieties for enhancing exports from Ladakh.