Meghalaya’s Khasi Mandarin Oranges Up For Sale In Dubai Hypermarkets

Khasi mandarin, locally known as ‘Soh Sohniamtra’, is widely cultivated by the farmers in Meghalaya and other northeast states.

Khasi mandarin at a hypermarket in Dubai.

Source : Pallav Bora

New Delhi: The first consignment of two metric tonnes of Khasi mandarin, a variety of orange exported from Meghalaya earlier this month, has made its grand entrance into Dubai and is now showcased at the hypermarkets in Al Qusais and Al Barsha in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Khasi mandarin, originating in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts, represents the rich agricultural diversity of the hill state. The journey from the hills of Meghalaya to the shelves of the hypermarkets in Dubai underscores the commitment to bringing exceptional produce to the global markets.

Secretary of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Dr. Sudhanshu, visited one of the hypermarkets in Dubai on Tuesday. During his visit, he observed the exquisite display of Khasi mandarin and commended the efforts undertaken to showcase the immense potential of the unique citrus fruit to the discerning buyers of the UAE.

READ | Setback for AAP As Gujarat MLA Bhupendra Bhayani Resigns, Likely To Join BJP

The occasion opens the door to exciting prospects for future collaborations of Meghalaya with Dubai, showcasing the state’s agricultural prowess on the global stage.

Due to its growing demand abroad, the Directorate of Horticulture and Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board dispatched another consignment of 20 metric tonnes of the orange variety to Dubai on Monday.

Khasi mandarin, locally known as ‘Soh Sohniamtra’, is widely cultivated by the farmers in Meghalaya and other northeastern states. It is very popular among the citrus fruits owing to its quality as it is bigger in size, brighter in colour and is more fleshy and juicy.

Meghalaya got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Khasi mandarin in 2014.

Over the last one year, Meghalaya government embarked on its maiden trial export of Khasi mandarin to Doha and Bahrain in the UAE.