Sea protocol for sailing Nendran Banana in the Gulf Markets

ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Trichi and APEDA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a consultancy project “Development of Sea Protocol for the Trial Shipment for Export of Traditional Variety ‘Nendran’ banana from Kochi Seaport to Dubai” in partnership with M/s. Fair Exports India Ltd., Kochi, on 20th April 2017. The MoU proposed provide a standard shipment protocols for Nendran banana by the end of September, 2017.

This successful joint venture set a new voyage by sea to Dubai with its ‘Made in India’ farm fresh Nendran Bananas, in a first of its kind attempt. 

An expert team from ICAR- NRC Banana, APEDA, Bengaluru, and Fair Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd., Kochi has accomplished the task with the successful sailing of two consignments by 7 August, 2017 and 22 October, 2017. The products are successfully displayed in  Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The process of exporting quality Nendran banana to Dubai began with the identification of suitable orchards’ for the selection of export quality bunches at Nendran fields in Valliyur, Theni & Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu and Chamaraja Nagara in Karnataka. Pack House was established in the premises of the Fair Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd., Angamaly, Kerala for the ease of export of the consignment from the Kochi Seaport to Dubai. Training was imparted to the staff of Fair Exports, on scientific handling and packing of banana for export markets.

Under the guidance of ICAR-NRCB experts, 9.0 tons and 11.0 tons of Nendran banana were stuffed in 20 ft reefer container and was flagged off from Kochi Port on 31 July 2017, and 22 October 2017. The consignment was treated for uniform ripening at Dubai. The blemish free fruits were displayed in the Retail Store Dubai as well as in Abu Dhabi to the delight and joy of the Indian consumers in Dubai. This new transport by sea from India works out to be of lower cost as it reduces the cost to one seventh compared to air transport.

The Director, NRCB have assured that efforts will be made to develop protocols for the export of other traditional varieties like Red banana and Ney Poovan in the ensuing seasons. The success of this project encouraged APEDA to collaborate with NRCB on other projects and to transfer the NRCB developed technologies to the exporters which could pave the way for cost effective exports of Indian bananas to other countries.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Trichi)