From JNPT, the 680 tonnes of bananas will be exported to various global markets
The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has announced its first banana export train of the season has departed from Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai, according to India Shipping News.
The train, which was loaded with 680 tonnes of bananas for export by SK Exports, left on 22 November. From JNPT, the fruit will be dispatched to various international markets.
The operation makes up part of larger efforts to bolster exports of Indian agricultural produce to global destinations.
India is the world’s largest producer of bananas but in 2023 accounted for only 1 per cent of exports across the global market.
Late last year local publication, The Hindu, reported that following a successful trial shipment to the Netherlands, India was aiming to increase exports of bananas to be worth US$1bn over the next five years.
Prior to this committment, India largely used airfreight for fruit export, but has now developed sea freight protocols to better handle the increase in volume.
