India has successfully exported its first-ever honey consignment under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative from Assam’s Baksa district to the US, as announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The shipment, totaling 20 metric tonnes of honey, was sent with the assistance of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the ministry. The consignment was handled by Salt Range Foods Pvt. Ltd., an APEDA-registered exporter based in Assam.
Assam, known for its rich biodiversity and traditional beekeeping practices by indigenous communities like the Karbi, Mishing, and Bodo tribes, holds significant potential for honey production. Data from the National Horticulture Board reveals that Assam produced approximately 1,650 metric tonnes of honey during the fiscal year 2023-24. Baksa, identified under the ODOP initiative for its high-quality honey characterized by natural purity and rich floral diversity, is a major honey-producing region in the state, along with areas like Kokrajhar, Chirang, Udalguri, and Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
APEDA played a crucial role in facilitating the export by enhancing infrastructure and equipping the processing facility with testing and laboratory equipment to ensure adherence to international food safety and quality standards. This export endeavor is anticipated to enhance income opportunities for local beekeepers and farmers, offering them a price realization nearly 43% higher than the prevailing local farm gate prices, according to government sources. The initiative is aimed at integrating farmers from Aspirational Districts into global value chains, fostering sustainable rural livelihoods, and expanding India’s value-added agricultural exports.
