Bihar’s GI-tagged Mithila Makhana has made its first-ever commercial sea shipment to Australia, with an 18 MT consignment sourced directly from Darbhanga farmers generating nearly 18% higher returns than prevailing market rates.
Key Highlights
- First-ever commercial sea shipment of Mithila Makhana sent from Bihar to Australia.
- 18 MT consignment sourced directly from Darbhanga farmers.
- Farmers received nearly 18% higher returns than prevailing market rates.
- Bihar accounts for nearly 85% of India’s Makhana production.
- India exported over 7,000 MT of Makhana and value-added products in FY 2025-26.
- APEDA facilitated the export and market access process.
New Delhi, August 8: India’s agricultural exports have received a boost with the first-ever commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia. The 18 Metric Tonne consignment was exported from the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar, marking a significant milestone for the state’s flagship agricultural product.
The consignment was sourced directly from Makhana growers in Darbhanga district, providing farmers with access to an international market. The export-oriented value chain enabled farmers to realise nearly 18% higher returns compared with prevailing market rates.
The shipment was flagged off by Vijay Kumar Sinha, Agriculture Minister, Government of Bihar, in the presence of horticulture officials, APEDA representatives, exporters, logistics partners and Makhana growers from the region.
The consignment was exported by NIAD Green, with logistics support from Jitban Supply Chain Pvt. Ltd., a startup supported under APEDA’s BHARATI initiative. The shipment consisted of premium-quality raw GI-tagged Mithila Makhana that was sourced directly from farmers and packed at the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta.
Speaking at the event, Vijay Kumar Sinha highlighted Makhana’s importance to Bihar’s agricultural identity and said greater participation of Bihar-based exporters in international trade could help farmers achieve better price realisation. He also stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards to meet global market requirements.
The Agriculture Minister said the Bihar government is working to strengthen the Makhana value chain by supporting growers, processors and exporters. He also highlighted the role of the traditional Phori community in Makhana processing and said continued support would be provided to preserve their skills and strengthen the sector.
The export was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar. APEDA has been supporting Makhana exports through capacity building, market development, export facilitation and stakeholder coordination.
Bihar accounts for nearly 85% of India’s Makhana production, making the state central to India’s growing Makhana export industry. A separate HS Code for Makhana also came into effect in July 2025 under the Finance Bill, 2025, supporting better tracking and classification of the product in international trade.
During FY 2025-26, India exported more than 7,000 Metric Tonnes of Makhana and value-added Makhana products to over 20 international destinations, including the United States, Middle East and Africa.
The first commercial sea shipment to Australia is expected to further strengthen the global positioning of Mithila Makhana while creating new export opportunities and improving income prospects for farmers across Bihar.
