SRINAGAR: In a major breakthrough for Indian agri-exports, the first-ever commercial consignment of premium cherries from Jammu and Kashmir has landed in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, signalling a new era for the region’s fruit growers and India’s high-value horticulture.
Hand-picked from orchards across Baramulla, Shopian, Ganderbal and Srinagar, the heart of India’s cherry belt, the fruits were carefully graded and packed under temperature-controlled conditions before being airlifted to the Gulf. Their arrival in Riyadh’s Lulu Supermarket was marked by a ceremonial launch by the Indian Embassy’s commercial team, led by Counsellor (Commerce) Manusmriti.
So much to CHEER! 🇮🇳🍒
The first commercial consignment of premium cherries from Jammu and Kashmir heads to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
A huge market opens up for our cherry farmers, who will now get a better price for their produce. pic.twitter.com/ZHWAmcS6c5
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) June 16, 2025
Jammu and Kashmir accounts for nearly 90 per cent of India’s cherry production, with around 12,000 metric tonnes grown annually on 2,800 hectares of land. Yet until now, the fruit’s notoriously short shelf life—typically 5 to 7 days—and a lack of cold chain infrastructure have limited its reach to domestic markets.
The successful export effort has been widely hailed as a landmark. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called the shipment a “huge market opening” and took to social media to post, “So much to CHEER!” He added, “What a win for #VocalForLocal,” noting that the government’s push to bridge logistical gaps is now bearing fruit—literally.
For cherry farmers in Kashmir, this could be the start of a long-awaited transformation. And for consumers in the Gulf, it’s the arrival of a rare and delicate treat, fresh from the mountains of the Valley.
