Srinagar, Jun 17: In a landmark moment for Indian agri-exports, the first-ever commercial consignment of premium cherries from Jammu and Kashmir has arrived in Saudi Arabia, marking a breakthrough for fruit growers in the Himalayan region and signalling expanding global reach for India’s high-value horticultural produce.
The Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia confirmed the arrival of the consignment on Monday. The Embassy’s Commercial team, led by Counsellor (Commerce) Manusmriti, visited Lulu Supermarket in Riyadh to welcome and formally launch the premium cherries. The fruit is now available for Saudi consumers, offering them a taste of Kashmir’s celebrated produce.
“The first ever consignment of premium cherries from Jammu & Kashmir has arrived in the Kingdom & are available to be savored by all.
Embassy Commercial team led by Counsellor (Commerce) Ms Manusmriti visited the Lulu Supermarket and received the consignment and launched this unique product,” reads the tweet.
The development follows the announcement made by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who took to the social media platform X to share the milestone. “So much to CHEER! The first commercial consignment of premium cherries from Jammu and Kashmir heads to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A huge market opens up for our cherry farmers, who will now get a better price for their produce,” Goyal wrote, celebrating the achievement as a major step in India’s agricultural export journey.
Goyal underscored that the export of cherries represents a broader effort by the government to bridge logistical challenges and make Indian fruits globally competitive. “What a win for #VocalForLocal,” he posted, highlighting the initiative’s alignment with the government’s focus on empowering local producers and making Indian produce a global brand.
The premium cherry consignment is part of an expanding export strategy aimed at tapping into high-value international markets for niche agricultural products. This is particularly significant for Jammu and Kashmir, where cherry cultivation is a crucial source of livelihood for hundreds of farming families. Until recently, limited shelf life and fragile transport conditions restricted cherries largely to domestic markets. However, recent advances in cold chain logistics and air freight coordination have now enabled India to position cherries as a viable export item.
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India’s total exports of merchandise and services for the financial year 2024–25 are projected to reach USD 820.93 billion, a 5.50 percent increase over the previous fiscal. Within this, the fruits and vegetables segment has demonstrated robust growth, with exports rising from USD 3.66 billion in 2023–24 to USD 3.87 billion in 2024–25, registering a 5.67 percent growth.
