Lok Sabha Question No. 683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Export of Banana
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 683 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/12/2023

## EXPORT OF BANANA

## 683. SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether  it  is  true  that  despite  being  the  world's  largest  banana  producer,  India's export share is currently just one percent in the global market;

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the quality and shelf life of bananas to meet the strict standards of the European Market and also to establish a value chain for bananas by working directly with the farmers?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) & (b) India is the largest producer of banana, But has huge domestic consumption base within the country. This and high perishability of the product and distance from markets like US and EU has also contributed to low exports.
- (c) The government has been taking steps, including those required to improve quality and shelf life,  to  promote  export  of  bananas.  The  Agricultural  &  Processed  Food  Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a statutory body under the administrative control of  Department  of  Commerce,  has  the  mandate  to  promote  export  of  bananas.  An  Export Promotion Forum (EPF) for bananas, with representation from trade/industry, line

ministries/departments,  regulatory  agencies,  research  institutes,  state  governments  etc.,  has been  established  under  the  aegis  of  APEDA.  The  EPF  strives  to  identify  and  anticipate developments  pertaining  to  production  and  exports  of  bananas,  reach  out  to  stakeholders across  the  entire  production/  supply  chain  of  exports  and  make  recommendations  for necessary  policy  interventions  and  other  measures  to  promote  exports.  APEDA  has  also identified production clusters for banana in various States and have promoted controlled field management  practices  and  use  of  movable  post-harvest  equipment  such  as  pre-coolers; ripening chambers and ethylene dip tanks in these clusters. APEDA has also facilitated bulk movement of bananas through refrigerated train  from  Andhra Pradesh to Mumbai port for onward transportation to West Asian countries. APEDA has also initiated development of sea protocol for facilitating exports to European countries.

APEDA  assists  exporters  in  promoting  exports  by  organising  buyer-seller  meets (BSMs); participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions; taking up the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Market Access issues with the importing  countries; and  regular  interactions  with  the  Indian  Missions  to  tap  export opportunities in various countries.

The above steps have  resulted  in  significant  increase  in  exports  of  banana  during  the  past three years, as detailed below:

| Year    |   Quantity (MT) |   Value (in USD Mill) |
|---------|-----------------|-----------------------|
| 2020-21 |          232518 |                 99.86 |
| 2021-22 |          376572 |                157.86 |
| 2022-23 |          361842 |                174.83 |

Source: DGCI&S

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