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 (MT) of kiwi from Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh, to Dubai, UAE, under the branding initiative “Kiwi: USP of Arunachal Pradesh”.
The consignment has successfully reached Dubai and was showcased at LuLu Hypermarket, Al Qusais, marking an important step in assessing the fruit’s potential in international markets.
The initiative, undertaken under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), aims to promote Arunachal Pradesh’s kiwi sector, establish overseas market linkages and create additional export opportunities for local growers. It is being implemented in collaboration with the state’s Departments of Trade & Commerce and Horticulture.
Arunachal Pradesh’s favourable high-altitude climate supports the cultivation of premium-quality kiwi varieties, including Hayward, Monty, Allison and Bruno. The Hayward variety, in particular, has good demand in international markets.
Consumer tasting and feedback in Dubai will help assess market acceptance, demand, quality expectations, packaging and presentation requirements, providing valuable inputs for future commercial shipments.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu, MLA-cum-Advisor to the Minister of Trade & Commerce Dr. Mohesh Chai, other state officials, representatives of the Kiwi Growers Cooperative Society and Fair Exports India Pvt. Ltd., APEDA officials and local farmers.
The successful arrival and retail showcase of Arunachal Pradesh kiwi in Dubai are expected to help identify overseas market opportunities and strengthen the participation of Northeast India’s horticultural producers in international trade.