Agricultural exports from Purvanchal in eastern Uttar Pradesh have crossed the 1,000-metric-tonne mark annually, highlighting the region’s growing role as an emerging hub for fresh produce exports.
According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), exports of perishable agricultural products through Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport rose sharply from just 4 MT in 2020-21 to 1,032 MT in 2024-25. The volume remained above the 1,000-MT threshold in 2025-26, reaching 1,010 MT despite disruptions to trade in the Middle East.
The region’s fresh produce is reaching markets across the Gulf, Europe, Bangladesh and Nepal. Key products shipped through Varanasi include green chilli, okra, pointed gourd, ivy gourd, green peas, mangoes, litchi, bananas, guava, drumstick, bottle gourd, jackfruit, brinjal, amla and muskmelon. Marigold and rose flowers from the region are also seeing international demand.
APEDA’s efforts have focused on reducing the role of intermediaries and connecting farmers more directly with export channels. Around 50 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and nearly 20,000 farmers in Purvanchal are now directly or indirectly linked to the export chain.
Over the past five years, more than 180 FPOs across Uttar Pradesh have been promoted as exporters. APEDA and the state government have also conducted more than 40 capacity-building programmes, seminars and buyer-seller meetings in the Varanasi region to improve farmers’ understanding of international quality standards and export procedures.
The rapid growth in shipments reflects improvements in export infrastructure at Varanasi airport, including customs and quarantine facilities, while stronger market linkages are enabling farmers to tap overseas demand more directly. The development is expected to further strengthen Purvanchal’s position in India’s agricultural export network.