In a sweet boost to India’s fresh fruit exports, the first consignment of MD2 variety of Pineapples were exported to the UAE. The central government revealed this in a statement on June 13th.
In the first trial shipment, India exported around 8.7 metric tons of the highly sought after MD2 pineapples to the UAE. APEDA, which comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry had facilitated this export of around 650 boxes of Pineapples.
The official statement said, “This marks a pivotal moment in India’s agricultural export history. Showcasing our ability to produce and supply premium quality pineapples to global markets.”
About MD2 Pineapples…
Del Monte developed these “Golden Ripe” or “Super Sweet” Pineapples in the 1980s. They have become gold standard in the Pineapple industry and are mainly grown in Costa Rica, the Philippines, and Thailand etc. In India, farmers in the Sindhudurg district of the Konkan area in Maharashtra, mainly cultivate these Pineapples.
Uniqueness…
The MD2 variety of Pineapples, known as “Super Sweet,” are renowned for their exceptional sweetness. Their flesh is more golden than the other varieties and maybe that’s why people also call them “Golden Ripe.”
They are less acidic and contain more of Vitamin C as compared to other varieties. Thereby making them healthier choice.
Apart from being rich in Vitamins and Minerals, they have a longer shelf life which makes ideal for exports.
Abhishek Dev, APEDA’s Chairman, stated, “The MD 2 variety is renowned for its exceptional sweetness and quality. We are thrilled to introduce it to the UAE market.”
Recently, Tripura also witnessed a boost in its agricultural exports. The state’s highly valued “Queen Pineapples” were exported to Oman for the first time. According to Minister Ratan Lal Nath, around 600 kg consignment was exported from Tripura to Oman. Overall, with the support of APEDA and ICAR, Indian agricultural products are gaining visibility in the international market.