Fresh apricot exports known as Khubani from the Kargil district in Ladakh India, have been introduced to Saudi Arabia for the first time in August 2025.
This milestone was celebrated with a launch at Lulu Hypermarket in Riyadh on India’s 79th Independence Day, under the Government of India’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Khubani
- The apricots are grown in Kargil’s cold, high-altitude climate. They are valued for their great taste, nutritional benefits, and long shelf life.
- The export of about 1.5 metric tonnes of fresh apricots represents a breakthrough in agricultural exports from Ladakh to the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.
- The launch event was led by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the importance of expanding India’s agricultural export presence and promoting local specialties worldwide.
- The initiative has support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Lulu Group, a major retailer in the Gulf.
- This export strengthens India-Saudi trade relations and creates new income opportunities for farmers in remote mountainous areas, helping promote sustainable agricultural development.
- This effort is part of a broader government initiative to showcase regional products globally through ODOP. This program aims to empower farmers and rural economies by connecting local produce to international markets.
- The introduction of Kargil apricots adds to other recent launches of specialty agricultural exports from India to Saudi Arabia, such as Kashmiri cherries. visit here
“These exports highlight India’s growing capacity for agricultural exports and the demand for high-quality, niche fresh fruits in Gulf markets. This export marks a significant event as the first Khubani apricots from India reach Saudi Arabia’s consumer market. It is expected to create new opportunities for regional farmers and enhance bilateral trade in agricultural products ” for Bussiness News link yourself here www.eminentnews.com
