Ladakh Signs LuLu Deal to Export 1,000 Tonnes of Apricots

Overview

• Ladakh’s administration, in a Thursday MoU with LuLu Retail, set a plan to move 1,000 tonnes of premium apricots to international markets this season.
• LuLu will buy directly from growers and handle harvesting, sorting, processing, packaging, transport and overseas marketing to cut losses and simplify sales.
• The scale dwarfs roughly 1,500 kg exported over the past two years and showcases GI-linked varieties such as Raktsey Karpo and the region’s Halman.
• The pact was routed through APEDA and the Food Processing Ministry and was signed by Horticulture Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary and LuLu executive Salim M A in Lt Governor V K Saxena’s presence.
• Officials also flagged next steps that include local processing units, a Ladakh-focused e-commerce portal for farmers and talks to export Ladakhi apples.