Leh: In a landmark boost to Ladakh's horticulture sector, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Wednesday flagged off the first-ever commercial consignment of 5 metric tonnes of Ladakh's world-famous organic apricots to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the region's entry into international apricot markets.
The maiden export has been facilitated through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lulu Group, giving Ladakh's farmers direct access to global retail markets and opening new opportunities for premium organic produce.
Officials said the administration plans to scale up exports to over 1,000 metric tonnes this season—a remarkable jump from just 1,500 kg exported over the previous two years. The initiative is expected to substantially increase farmers' incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, generate sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the local economy.
Calling it a historic milestone for Ladakh's horticulture sector, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena said the export initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Vocal for Local" and "Local to Global."
"Today, we proudly flagged off the first 5 MT consignment of Ladakh's world-famous organic apricots to the UAE. Through our strategic MoU with the Lulu Group, the hardworking farmers of Ladakh now have direct access to international markets. This season, we are scaling up exports to over 1,000 MT—a monumental leap from just 1,500 kg in the previous two years. This initiative will multiply farmers' incomes, minimise post-harvest losses and improve their standard of living," Saxena said.
He expressed confidence that the export programme would serve as a bridge between Ladakh and global consumers while helping establish the Union Territory as a premier export hub for high-value organic produce.
The export marks a significant step in integrating Ladakh's unique agricultural products with global value chains, offering fresh opportunities for the region's horticulture sector and its farming community.
