APEDA facilitates Uttarakhand’s first export of frozen French fries to Iraq, boosting value-added agricultural exports and expanding global opportunities for Indian processed food products.
Key Highlights
- APEDA facilitates Uttarakhand’s first frozen French fries export to Iraq.
- 24-tonne consignment shipped from Kashipur, Uttarakhand.
- Export carried out by Virun Global Trade Pvt. Ltd.
- Move strengthens India’s value-added agricultural exports.
- APEDA supported exporter through global trade exhibitions.
- India exported processed vegetables worth USD 932.25 million in FY26.
- Value-added potato products contributed USD 289.40 million in exports.
- State Agri Export Policy aims to improve export competitiveness.
New Delhi: India has achieved another milestone in agricultural exports as the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first export of 24 tonnes of frozen French fries from Kashipur in Uttarakhand to Iraq. The shipment, exported by Virun Global Trade Pvt. Ltd., marks Uttarakhand’s entry into the global market for value-added processed potato products.
The export is expected to strengthen India’s processed food exports while creating new international business opportunities for exporters from the state. The company expressed confidence that the high quality of the product would result in repeat orders and help establish long-term trade relationships in overseas markets.
APEDA has actively supported the exporter by enabling participation in major international food exhibitions such as SIAL, Gulfood, IndusFood and World Food India, helping the company connect with global buyers and expand its international presence.
India continues to strengthen its position in the global processed food market. During 2025-26, the country exported 7.26 lakh metric tonnes of processed vegetables worth USD 932.25 million. Among these, value-added potato products accounted for 2.77 lakh metric tonnes valued at USD 289.40 million, while processed fruits and vegetables contributed nearly 10% of APEDA’s scheduled exports.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev highlighted that logistics costs remain a major challenge for landlocked states like Uttarakhand. He said APEDA is working closely with the state government on implementing the State Agri Export Policy, including transport assistance measures to improve export competitiveness and provide better market access for exporters.
The growing processed food industry in Uttarakhand is also expected to create stronger demand for quality agricultural produce, encourage value addition at the source, strengthen export-oriented supply chains and improve farmers’ incomes through better market access.
APEDA reaffirmed its commitment to working with state governments, exporters, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and food processors to strengthen export infrastructure and promote value-added agricultural products from India across global markets.
