Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 8th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 8, 2026, APEDA facilitated the inaugural commercial sea shipment of 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia. Sourced from Darbhanga farmers, the initiative achieved 18% higher returns than local market rates and utilized a dedicated HS Code implemented in July 2025. This milestone aims to expand the international footprint of Bihar’s agricultural products while establishing sustainable export-oriented value chains.
Key Points / Main Content
Shipment and Logistics Details
Consignment Volume: 18 Metric Tonnes of premium-quality raw GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was exported via sea route.
Sourcing and Processing: The produce was sourced directly from farmers in Darbhanga district and processed/packed at the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar.
Key Partners: The export was executed by M/s NIAD Green, with logistics handled by M/s Jitban Supply Chain Pvt. Ltd., a startup supported by APEDA’s BHARATI initiative.
Economic and Policy Impact
Price Realization: The direct market linkage enabled farmers to secure nearly 18% higher returns compared to prevailing market rates.
Regulatory Support: To strengthen the sector, a separate HS Code for Makhana was introduced under the Finance Bill, 2025, effective from July 2025.
Production Dominance: Bihar accounts for approximately 85% of India's total Makhana production.
Strategic Objectives and Global Reach
Market Expansion: India exported over 7,000 Metric Tonnes of Makhana to more than 20 international destinations, including the USA, Middle East, and Africa, during FY 2025–26.
Quality Standards: The Government of Bihar and APEDA emphasize maintaining rigorous quality standards to meet global requirements and enhance competitiveness.
Community Support: Continued assistance is pledged for the Phori community, whose traditional skills are vital to the Makhana processing value chain.
Impact Analysis
Makhana Growers and the Phori CommunityImpact
Farmers benefit from increased income opportunities and an 18% rise in price realization through export-led market access.
Action Required
Growers must focus on maintaining high-quality standards and utilizing traditional processing skills to satisfy international market demands.
Exporters and Startups (e.g., NIAD Green, Jitban Supply Chain)Impact
These entities gain enhanced international presence and benefit from APEDA’s capacity-building and market development initiatives.
Action Required
Exporters need to leverage the new HS Code and coordinate with APEDA for market access facilitation and seamless logistics.
APEDA and State Government AgenciesImpact
Successful facilitation strengthens the global competitiveness of Indian agricultural products and fosters collaboration between central and state departments.
Action Required
Continued engagement with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and stakeholders is necessary to provide infrastructure, incubation, and technical support for sustainable growth.
Key Entities Referenced
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): The primary agency under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry responsible for facilitating and promoting the export of agricultural products, including GI-tagged Makhana.
Mithila Makhana: A GI-tagged flagship agricultural product from Bihar targeted for international market expansion to ensure better price realization for farmers.
BHARATI (Bharat's Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement, and Incubation for Export Innovation): An APEDA-supported initiative that provides incubation and support to agritech startups to drive innovation in the agricultural export sector.
Finance Bill, 2025: The legislative instrument that introduced a separate HS Code for Makhana to strengthen the sector's international trade framework.
Bihar (Darbhanga and Bihta): The primary location for sourcing and processing the Makhana consignment, central to the production and export value chain described.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA Facilitates First-Ever Export of GI-tagged
Mithila Makhana by Sea Route from Bihar to
Australia
18 MT consignment sourced from Darbhanga farmers
enables nearly 18 per cent higher returns
प्रव तथ: 08 AUG 2026 2:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated first-
ever commercial sea shipment of 18 Metric Tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was exported from the
BIADA Industrial Area, Bihta, Bihar, to Australia. The consignment, sourced from Makhana growers of
Darbhanga district, is expected to strengthen the international presence of Bihar's flagship GI product
while creating enhanced income opportunities for farmers through export-led market access.
The export consignment was flagged off by the Agriculture Minister, Government of Bihar Shri Vijay
Kumar Sinha. The ceremony was attended by the Director of Horticulture, Government of Bihar, officers
of APEDA, representatives of the exporter, logistics partners and progressive Makhana growers from the
region.
The initiative has enabled farmers to realise nearly 18 per cent higher returns than prevailing market rates,
highlighting the benefits of export-oriented value chains and direct market linkages. The export is
expected to strengthen the international presence of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana, create sustainable export
opportunities for Bihar's Makhana sector and contribute to higher farmer incomes.
The consignment was exported by M/s NIAD Green, with logistics support from M/s Jitban Supply Chain
Pvt. Ltd., a startup supported under APEDA's BHARATI (Bharat's Hub for Agritech, Resilience,
Advancement, and Incubation for Export Innovation). Comprising premium-quality raw GI-tagged
Mithila Makhana, the consignment was sourced directly from farmers of Darbhanga district and packed at
the BIADA Industrial Area, Bihta, Bihar.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Minister, Government of Bihar, Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, said that
Makhana is the identity of Bihar and greater participation of Bihar-based exporters in international trade
would enable farmers to secure better price realisation. He emphasised the importance of maintaining
quality standards to meet global market requirements and stated that the Government of Bihar is
continuously working to strengthen the Makhana value chain by supporting growers, processors and
exporters. He further said that all necessary support would continue to be extended to the Phori
community, whose traditional skills are integral to Makhana processing. He added that the first-ever sea
shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Australia reflects the growing global demand for Bihar's
agricultural products and opens new opportunities for farmers and exporters.APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, facilitated the export in
association with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar. APEDA has been consistently
promoting Makhana exports through capacity building, market development initiatives, export facilitation
and stakeholder engagement. The Authority also supported the exporter in market access facilitation and
coordination, contributing to the seamless movement of the consignment to Australia.
Bihar accounts for nearly 85 per cent of India's Makhana production. To further strengthen the sector, a
separate HS Code for Makhana came into effect from July 2025 under the Finance Bill, 2025. During FY
2025–26, India exported more than 7,000 Metric Tonnes of Makhana and value-added Makhana products
to over 20 international destinations, including the USA, the Middle East and Africa.
APEDA continues to work closely with State Governments, exporters, startups, Farmer Producer
Organisations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and other stakeholders to enhance the global
competitiveness of India's agricultural products while creating sustainable export-led growth opportunities
for farmers across the country.
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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Anushka Pandey
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2296498) आगंतुक पटल : 2444
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