India is focusing on enhancing its banana exports to Russia, following successful trial shipments to countries like the Netherlands via sea route, as stated by an official. The nation aims to achieve a $1 billion target in banana exports in the foreseeable future. Currently, the export of fruits including bananas predominantly occurs through air due to lower volumes and varied ripening periods. To boost volumes, India is formulating sea protocols for fresh produce such as bananas, mangoes, pomegranates, and jackfruit, aiming to facilitate their exportation through maritime channels.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that the country's agriculture and allied sector is expected to grow at 3.5-4 per cent in 2024-25 marking a significant improvement from the 1.4 per cent rise recorded in FY24.

India aims to cross $1 billion of organic product exports next year and the country is exploring Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) in sensitive exports like fisheries which face higher rejections, an official said Wednesday.

The commerce ministry's arm Export Inspection Council (EIC) plans to expand food testing infrastructure in a holistic way to boost outbound shipments, a senior government official said. The EIC has initiated a detailed study on gap assessment on food testing infrastructure for exports, the official added.

The humble banana along with ghee, furniture, office stationery and solar photovoltaic (PV) modules are spicing up India’s exports basket as, despite a small base, their shipments are growing fast. While engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, and electronics are the key drivers of goods exports, these new sectors are giving the country’s overseas sales that extra push.