NEW DELHI, 18 July 2026: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first export shipment of premium Areko cherries and Scentrose plums from Jammu & Kashmir to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), opening new international market opportunities for fruit growers in the region.

The consignment, comprising one metric tonne of premium stone fruits sourced from farmers in Shopian and Pulwama, was virtually flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev. The event was attended by officials from APEDA, the Jammu & Kashmir Horticulture Department, exporters, international buyers and other stakeholders.

According to APEDA, the export initiative has significantly improved farmers' earnings, with growers receiving nearly 60% higher returns for cherries and 120% higher returns for plums compared to prevailing domestic market prices.

Abhishek Dev said Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as an important hub for premium horticultural produce, adding that APEDA will continue supporting farmers through export promotion, quality enhancement and global buyer outreach to improve market access and incomes.

The successful shipment is expected to encourage more growers to adopt export-oriented cultivation and post-harvest practices while strengthening the global presence of Jammu & Kashmir's premium stone fruits.

APEDA said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to expand India's fresh fruit exports through market linkage, quality assurance, buyer outreach and export facilitation programmes.