Premium Amrapali mangoes cultivated in Patnagarh of Balangir in Odisha were exported to Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off the first consignment of 1.08 tonnes Amrapali mangoes to Abu Dhabi via the inaugural flight from Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

A media statement said Balangir has emerged as a key agri-export hub this year, leading the way not just in mangoes but also in dragon fruit and other high-value superfoods. Mangoes were cultivated by Patnagarh Pragati Farmer Producer Company Ltd, and are being exported with the support of the Odisha Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), APEDA, Palladium (as the technical support unit), and PRB Superfoods.

Quoting Majhi, the statement said, “Odisha’s farmers are making their mark globally. With strategic support from DA&FE and dedicated partners like Palladium, our smallholders are stepping into international markets with confidence. This first export to Abu Dhabi is not just a milestone -- it’s a symbol of what’s possible when the Government, grassroots and private partners come together.”

Cargo to London

The Odisha Deputy Chief Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, said, “It is a proud moment for Patnagarh and the entire Balangir district that our mangoes, superfoods, and other agricultural products are now reaching global markets. This reflects the unwavering efforts of our farmers and highlights the immense agri-export potential of our region.”

On the same day, 2.5 tonnes of mangoes from the same FPO were exported to London via Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

These exports were facilitated under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) Project, steered by the Assistant Director of Horticulture, Patnagarh. The project is implemented by Palladium, supported by the Gates Foundation, in collaboration with NABARD, and coordinated by APEDA as the export partner.

Published on June 12, 2025