Bhubaneswar: In a major boost for the state’s horticulture sector, Odisha has been successfully exporting consignments of organically grown dragon fruits from the Balangir district. In fact there is a craze for Odisha dragon fruits in Dubai International Market.
Consecutive successful exports highlight the state’s growing capacity to produce and market high-value agricultural products, signaling its readiness to compete in international markets.
The maiden shipment, which departed from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, contained approximately four quintals of premium-quality dragon fruit. The fruit was cultivated in Patnagarh block, a region known for its favorable agricultural conditions.
“This is a proud moment for Balangir District and Odisha”, said Subrat Kumar Panda Director Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Watershed Management, Odisha.
The consecutive successful export of Dragon fruit once again this year reflects the state’s growing capabilities in market-driven high-value Horticulture, said Shri Panda.
“It signals Odisha’s readiness to tap into competitive global markets”, said Director Shri Panda.
The export is being facilitated through a collaborative effort between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Odisha Directorate of Horticulture, and Palladium, a technical support unit under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project.
This initiative is a game-changer for local farmers, who were previously facing challenges with market saturation and low prices. While the dragon fruit was fetching a local price of ₹120-₹160 per kilogram, the export to Dubai secured a price of ₹250-₹260 per kilogram, nearly double the local market value.
This significant price increase is a direct result of the meticulous organic farming practices used, which elevated the fruit’s quality and appeal in the international market.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister Agriculutre and Farmer’s Empowerment and Energy, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who is also a dragon fruit farmer, praised the collaborative effort, emphasizing the health benefits of the organic produce.
He expressed optimism about expanding exports to other high-demand markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.
These successful exports are part of a larger strategy by the Odisha Government to encourage crop diversification and boost farmers’ incomes. By focusing on high-value, market-driven crops and providing essential support for logistics and quality control, the state is actively building a robust agricultural export ecosystem, said Shri Panda.
The achievement with dragon fruit follows previous successful exports of other products like mangoes and vegetables, solidifying Odisha’s position as an emerging force in the global agricultural trade, pointed out the Director Horticulture Shri Panda.