First commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates reaches the USA from Maharashtra
APEDA said on 19 April 2025 that the first commercial sea shipment of Indian Bhagwa pomegranates, about 14 tonnes from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra, had arrived in New York.
Summary
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said on 19 April 2025 that the first commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates of the Bhagwa variety had arrived in New York, USA. The shipment of 4,620 boxes, weighing about 14 tonnes, was sent from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra. The US granted market access for Indian pomegranates in 2023, after which a trial air shipment was done with USDA-APHIS, NPPO-India and ICAR-National Research Centre for Pomegranate, Solapur. A static trial with ICAR-NRCP extended the fruit's shelf life to up to 60 days, enabling the shift from air to sea freight.
Key facts
- First
- First commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates to the USA
- Variety
- Bhagwa
- Shipment
- 4,620 boxes, ~14 tonnes
- From → To
- Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra → New York
- US market access
- 2023
- Shelf life trial
- Up to 60 days (APEDA with ICAR-NRCP, Solapur)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which variety of Indian pomegranate was sent in the first commercial sea shipment to the USA, as announced in April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bhagwa
Bhagwa: APEDA said the shipment was of the Bhagwa variety.
Consider the following about the pomegranate shipment to the USA announced by APEDA on 19 April 2025: 1. It was sent by air freight. 2. It was sent from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. It was the first commercial sea shipment, not an air shipment.
Approximately how much did the first commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates to the USA weigh?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 14 tonnes
About 14 tonnes, in 4,620 boxes.