India to export fresh litchi to US for first time

India, which exported mangoes to the US in 2007 after a 17-year-long ban, will now export fresh litchi to US for the first time. Export may begin in the next summer season.

“We are gearing up for export of litchi to US for the first time. The procedures for treating the fruits have been mutually agreed. Farmers in Bihar, which is the country’s largest litchi producer, will be the main beneficiary,” said Asit Tripathy, chairman of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).

Ranjan Kedia, promoter of Radha Krishna Impex, the country’s largest litchi exporter said the modalities have been worked out and a formal application will now go from Apeda to the USFDA. Permission is expected by the end of year.

“Currently, we only export processed litchi to US. Now, we shall be in a position to export fresh litchi as well. We will use sulphur dioxide as a post-harvest fumigant and this will prevent blackening of skin and will improve shelf life,” said Kedia.

At 250,000 tonnes of litchi production, India is the second biggest producer after China. Bihar accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the produce. India exports around 1,300 tonnes of fresh and processed litchi, mainly to Europe and Asian countries.