PATHANKOT, June 28: Punjab’s Pathankot has made history by sending its first-ever consignment of rose-scented litchis to Qatar. The shipment, which originated from Sujanpur, has placed the region on the global horticultural map, with additional exports already reaching Dubai.
Under a new collaboration between the Union Commerce Ministry and the Punjab government, one metric tonne of rose-scented litchis arrived in Doha this week, while another 600 kilograms were dispatched to the UAE. The success is being seen as a turning point in India’s fruit export strategy, with Pathankot’s favourable weather and water resources driving litchi cultivation.
“This is a milestone in Punjab’s horticultural growth. India’s commerce is growing with Punjab’s litchi from Sujanpur in Pathankot reaching Qatar’s markets for the first time,” Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said.
At the heart of this achievement is progressive farmer Prabhat Singh, who cultivated the exported produce in Sujanpur. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India’s apex body for agri-exports, procured the premium litchis from Singh at Rs 175 per kg—almost double last year’s price of Rs 90 per kg.
“In just one year, the value of Singh’s rose-scented litchis has nearly doubled, and the crop is now recognised among the best in the country for flavour and quality,” said Harpreet Singh, APEDA’s regional head for Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. He noted that this progress is in line with the larger vision of APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev to scale India’s horticulture exports.
The exported batch—consisting of a reefer pallet of high-grade Pathankot litchis—is being seen as a symbol of the region’s transformation into a horticulture export hub. The same litchis are now retailing at over Rs 375 per kg in Doha and Dubai, or approximately £18 for two kilograms in UK markets.
“This is not just a commercial success, it’s a validation of Pathankot’s agro-climatic edge. The rise of farmers like Prabhat Singh mirrors the area’s potential to lead in premium litchi cultivation,” APEDA said in a statement.
According to official figures, Punjab produced 71,490 metric tonnes of litchis in FY 2023–24, accounting for 12.39 percent of India’s total litchi output. The fruit was cultivated over 4,327 hectares, with an average yield of 16,523 kilograms per hectare.
During the same fiscal year, India exported 639.53 metric tonnes of litchis. The country’s overall fruit and vegetable exports reached $3.87 billion in 2024–25 (April–March), registering a 5.67 percent growth from the previous year.
While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges continue to dominate India’s fruit exports, the entry of litchis, cherries, and jamun into overseas markets is reshaping the country’s horticultural export basket.
With rising demand and government support, the success story of Sujanpur’s rose-scented litchi may well serve as a model for other horticulture clusters aiming for global reach.
