The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating the first-ever sea shipment of botanical-infused ready-to-cook millet functional foods from Karnataka to New Zealand. The consignment was flagged off on 3 June 2026, marking a new phase in India’s value-added agri-export strategy.
The shipment consisted of one metric tonne of millet-based functional foods, produced and exported by Bengaluru-based company M/s Infini Agrotek LLP. This initiative highlights India’s transition from exporting raw agricultural commodities to high-value processed and functional food products.
The exported products are not ordinary millets but botanical-infused functional foods, which combine the nutritional benefits of millets with plant-based extracts to enhance health value. These products fall under the rapidly growing global health food market segment, driven by increasing demand for organic, gluten-free, and nutrient-rich foods.
The shipment also demonstrates the success of APEDA’s trade promotion efforts through international platforms such as:
These events helped Indian exporters build global business networks and secure international buyers.
The initiative is expected to significantly benefit millet farmers across India, particularly in states like Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Increased demand for processed millet products will:
This export also reinforces India’s position as a global leader in millet production and innovation.
Millets are increasingly recognized for their:
India’s push toward exporting value-added millet products aligns with global food trends and supports diversification of agricultural exports.
This development strengthens India’s role in the global agri-export market by shifting focus from raw commodities to processed and high-value food products. It enhances India’s brand as a supplier of innovative and health-oriented food solutions.
The initiative directly benefits millet-growing farmers by increasing demand for their produce. Higher export demand ensures better price realization and encourages sustainable farming practices in arid regions.
The export highlights the growing importance of India’s food processing sector. It encourages startups and agribusinesses to invest in functional food innovation, boosting employment and industrial growth.
With rising global demand for gluten-free and plant-based foods, India’s millet-based functional foods align perfectly with international consumer preferences, especially in developed markets like New Zealand.
Millets have been cultivated in India for thousands of years and are considered traditional “coarse grains”. However, their global recognition increased significantly after India promoted 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
Historically:
The establishment of APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has played a crucial role in:
This latest export marks the evolution of India’s millet sector from traditional consumption to global commercial trade in functional foods.
The main highlight is APEDA facilitating India’s first sea shipment of botanical-infused millet functional foods from Karnataka to New Zealand, marking a milestone in value-added agri-exports.
APEDA stands for Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, an organisation under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for promoting export of agricultural products from India.
The export was carried out by M/s Infini Agrotek LLP, a Bengaluru-based agri-food company.
Millets are gaining global importance due to their high nutrition, gluten-free nature, climate resilience, and low water requirement, making them suitable for sustainable agriculture.
It increases demand for millet crops, improves farmer income, promotes cultivation in dry regions, and strengthens India’s agri-export ecosystem.
These are ready-to-cook functional foods made from millets combined with plant-based botanical extracts, designed for enhanced nutrition and health benefits.
New Zealand is a developed market with high demand for health-focused, organic, and functional food products, making it a strategic export destination.
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