Arunachal Pradesh Kiwi Reaches Dubai Market as APEDA Facilitates 1.5-Tonne Trial Export

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has facilitated the trial export of 1.5 metric tonnes of kiwi from Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The consignment has successfully reached Dubai and been showcased at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Qusais, marking an important step towards introducing the northeastern state’s horticultural produce to international consumers and assessing its commercial potential in overseas markets.

The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen agricultural exports from India’s northeastern region by establishing direct market linkages between local growers and international buyers. Undertaken under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), the trial shipment is designed to evaluate consumer acceptance, identify export requirements and explore opportunities for developing sustainable international supply chains for Arunachal Pradesh’s kiwi growers.

Promoting Arunachal Pradesh Kiwi in International Markets

The export initiative is being implemented under the branding campaign “Kiwi: USP of Arunachal Pradesh”, which seeks to establish the fruit as a distinctive horticultural product associated with the state. The programme involves collaboration between APEDA, the Department of Trade and Commerce and the Department of Horticulture of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, bringing together institutional support, agricultural producers and commercial exporters to develop new market opportunities.

Arunachal Pradesh’s high-altitude growing conditions and natural environment provide favourable conditions for kiwi cultivation, contributing to the development of fruit with distinctive quality and flavour characteristics. The state’s horticultural sector produces several kiwi varieties, including Hayward, Monty, Allison and Bruno. Among these, the Hayward variety is recognised for its demand in international markets, making it particularly relevant to efforts aimed at developing an export-oriented kiwi industry.

The branding initiative is intended to improve recognition of Arunachal Pradesh kiwi among consumers and buyers while highlighting the state’s potential as a producer of high-quality horticultural commodities. Establishing a distinct market identity could help local growers differentiate their produce in competitive markets, particularly when supported by consistent grading, appropriate packaging, quality assurance and reliable supply arrangements.

Kiwi Reaches Retail Shelves at LuLu Hypermarket in Dubai

A significant aspect of the trial export is that the consignment has progressed beyond shipment and customs clearance to retail-level market assessment. The kiwi has been showcased at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Qusais, Dubai, providing an opportunity to evaluate consumer interest in fruit sourced from Arunachal Pradesh and assess its suitability for the UAE retail market.

Consumer tasting and feedback are expected to provide information on fruit quality, flavour preferences, presentation and purchasing interest. These observations will help stakeholders understand the expectations of international consumers and identify areas requiring improvement before larger commercial consignments are considered. The assessment will also examine packaging, product presentation and other factors that influence the marketability of fresh horticultural produce in overseas retail environments.

The successful placement of the consignment in a retail outlet is particularly relevant because access to international supermarket distribution channels requires coordination across procurement, transportation, handling and marketing. For perishable agricultural products such as kiwi, maintaining fruit quality during transit and distribution is essential to securing buyer confidence and encouraging repeat orders.

Although the shipment represents an initial trial rather than an established commercial export programme, the retail assessment provides practical information that can guide future export planning. The response from consumers and retailers will be important in determining whether Arunachal Pradesh kiwi can develop a sustained presence in the UAE market.

Export Initiative Opens New Opportunities for Northeastern Farmers

The initiative is intended to create additional marketing opportunities for kiwi growers in Arunachal Pradesh by connecting agricultural producers with potential international buyers. Access to overseas markets could provide farmers with alternative sales channels and opportunities for improved price realisation, particularly where export-quality produce attracts demand from premium retail segments.

Farmer cooperatives and producer organisations have an important role in supporting such export initiatives by coordinating produce aggregation, maintaining quality standards and facilitating commercial relationships with exporters. Their participation can help smaller growers overcome challenges associated with fragmented production and the logistical requirements of supplying international markets.

Representatives of the Kiwi Growers Cooperative Society and Fair Exports India Private Limited participated in the programme, reflecting the involvement of both agricultural producers and commercial export partners. Coordination among these stakeholders will be necessary to translate the initial trial shipment into sustained commercial opportunities, particularly if overseas buyers require regular supplies with consistent quality specifications.

The development of international market linkages also has wider implications for the horticultural economy of Arunachal Pradesh. Successful export arrangements could encourage improvements in post-harvest management, grading, packaging and transportation infrastructure, strengthening the overall competitiveness of the state’s fruit production sector.

Arunachal Pradesh Government Supports Export Promotion

The flag-off ceremony was attended by Arunachal Pradesh’s Minister of Agriculture and Allied Departments, Gabriel D. Wangsu, and MLA-cum-Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Commerce, Dr. Mohesh Chai. Ziro MLA Hage Appa and senior officials from the state government’s agriculture, horticulture and trade departments also participated, highlighting the coordinated institutional effort behind the initiative.

Among the officials present were Special Secretary for Agriculture and Horticulture Rishita Gupta, Secretary of Trade and Commerce Bullo Mamu, Secretary of Horticulture Koj Rinya and ICER Shillong Director Kardirvel Govindasamy. Representatives of APEDA, the Kiwi Growers Cooperative Society, Fair Exports India Private Limited and participating farmers were also associated with the programme.

The involvement of multiple government departments and agricultural organisations reflects the importance of institutional coordination in developing export opportunities for produce originating from geographically remote regions. Establishing reliable links between production centres, export agencies, logistics providers and international retail markets is essential to improving the commercial accessibility of northeastern agricultural commodities.

Strengthening Agricultural Exports from Northeast India

The trial export of Arunachal Pradesh kiwi is part of broader efforts to improve international market access for agricultural and horticultural products from India’s northeastern states. The region produces a variety of fruits, spices and other agricultural commodities that offer opportunities for export diversification when supported by appropriate supply-chain infrastructure, product identification and market development initiatives.

For Arunachal Pradesh, kiwi cultivation offers an opportunity to build a stronger commercial identity around a horticultural product suited to its growing conditions. Beyond fresh fruit exports, the development of processing and value-addition capabilities could eventually create additional opportunities for products such as fruit-based beverages, preserves and other processed commodities, depending on commercial demand and processing feasibility.

However, converting trial shipments into sustained exports will require more than initial consumer interest. Growers and exporters will need to address requirements relating to fruit grading, shelf life, packaging, phytosanitary compliance, logistics costs and reliable delivery schedules. Market feedback from the Dubai trial will therefore be important in identifying the practical improvements needed to support future commercial shipments.

The successful arrival and retail placement of 1.5 metric tonnes of Arunachal Pradesh kiwi in Dubai establishes an initial platform for evaluating the fruit’s international market potential. By combining regional product branding, government facilitation, farmer participation and retail-level consumer assessment, the initiative provides a pathway for exploring new export opportunities. Its longer-term significance will depend on whether the findings translate into repeat commercial orders, stronger supply-chain arrangements and sustainable market access for kiwi growers in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, November 3, 2026, 4:39 PM.

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