APEDA has successfully shipped banana to UAE by sea transport last year to reduce cost. Earlier banana are used to be transported by air, where the cost are significantly higher at Rs. 60 per kg, while the same by sea is only Rs. 10 per kg. The demand for traditional varieties of good-quality ethnic bananas from India is increasing, which is giving rise to the export of the fruit in huge volumes. The opening up of sea route is providing opportunities to increase the share of banana exports to Gulf and other south Asian countries. However, there has to be proper mechanism in place for ripening, storage and handling of the same. NCRB, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research are providing assistance to increase the exports by sea.
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