The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged limes from South India to the United Kingdom.
The consignment included 350 kg of Indi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, and 150 kg of Puliyankudi Lime from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu—marking a milestone in India’s efforts to expand the global presence of its unique horticultural produce.
The flag-off ceremony saw participation from the Departments of Horticulture of both states, the Karnataka Lime Board, and senior government officials including V. Dakshinamoorthy, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Karnataka. APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev led the ceremony, commending the initiative for promoting India’s region-specific produce globally and enhancing farmer incomes through branding and market diversification.
Dev emphasized that exports of GI-tagged products like Indi Lime and Puliyankudi Lime strengthen the export ecosystem by connecting farmer-producer groups directly with global consumers. He reiterated APEDA’s commitment to supporting exporters and producers in scaling up similar initiatives.
Dakshinamoorthy noted that the export reflects strong collaboration among state and central agencies, exporters, and farmers—underscoring Karnataka’s horticultural excellence and commitment to expanding farmers’ access to global markets.