Bihar's GI-Tagged Mithila Makhana Makes Historic First Export to Australia

In a significant boost for India's agricultural exports, 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged 'Mithila Makhana' from Bihar has been exported to Australia via sea route for the first time. This landmark shipment, procured directly from farmers in Darbhanga, has notably increased their profits by nearly 18% compared to regular market prices. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced this milestone, highlighting India's growing footprint in the global food market. This latest export builds on recent successes, including a seven-metric-tonne consignment of Bihar Makhana sent to Canada by sea last month, where farmers reportedly received over 50% higher prices. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been instrumental in facilitating these shipments, strengthening Bihar agri-export ecosystem by supporting capacity building, quality compliance, and market linkages. The successful exports are expected to unlock new opportunities for Makhana growers, encouraging further investment in processing and enhancing the product's value. With global demand for healthy snacks like fox nuts on the rise, this move not only improves farmer incomes but also positions India more strongly in the international ready-to-eat and healthy snack segment.