First Ever GI-Tagged Indi And Puliyankudi Limes Exported To The UK

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated what was considered to be India’s first ever air shipment of the GI-tagged Indi and Puliyankudi limes to the United Kingdom. The lime varieties—originating from Vijayapura in Karnataka and Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu—were part of a 500 kilo consignment, out of which the Indi limes constituted 350 kgs and the Puliyankudi constituted 150 kgs of the total weight. Sourced through farmer-producer organisations or FPOs under the guidance of the APEDA’s regional offices, the shipment was exported from Bengaluru International airport to London, becoming a milestone for niche Indian fruits and expanding the country’s platform horticultural produce on a global level.

The Indi lime—cultivated primarily in the Vijayapura district of Karnataka—is known for its high quality zesty aroma, superior juice yield and balanced acidity, which has many culinary applications as well as medicinal and cultural uses. On the other hand, the Puliyankudi lime, specifically the Kadayam variety, hailing from its namesake town located in the Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu is characterised by its thin peel, strong acidity, high ascorbic and juice content of about 55%. The Puliyankudi town is often referred to as the ‘Lemon City of Tamil Nadu’ due to its extensive cultivation of the citrus fruit—which received its official GI tag in April, this year. The initiative, which aligns with India’s strategy to export GI-tagged products and promote the ‘Vocal For Local, Local For Global’ vision, is also expected to provide a much-needed financial boost to cultivators and food producers.

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The APEDA—which replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC)—has been entrusted with the promotion and development of food products which include fruits, vegetables and their by-products, meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, dairy products, confectionary and bakery products, honey, jaggery and sugar products as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In addition to this, other categories also include groundnuts, peanuts, walnuts, cereal and cereal products, pickles, papads, chutney, guar gum, herbal and medicinal plants, cashew nut and cashew products, brined green peppers, cocoa, cocoa products and all types of chocolates. The statutory body has also been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the import of sugar while hoping that the first step in international exports of speciality produce would open more opportunities in European markets.