APEDA Facilitates Export of 18 MT NPOP-Certified Ethnic Rice from Tripura to European Markets
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the flag-off of an 18 metric tonne consignment of NPOP-certified ethnic rice from Tripura for export to Austria and the Netherlands on September 2, 2026. This export marks a significant step in creating new market opportunities for local farmers and strengthening Tripura's integration with international markets through organized, export-oriented production.
The consignment comprises four specific varieties of ethnic rice: Aromatic Kali Khasa Rice, Aromatic Harinarayan Rice, Biron Rice (white sticky rice), and Maimi Hanga Rice (Black Rice). The rice has been aggregated from Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) of Tripura that are supported by the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency (TSOFDA). The export is being handled by M/s Pratithi Organic Foods, Sonepat, described as a leading exporter of Indian organic agri-products worldwide.
This initiative provides local producers and FPCs with direct connections to international markets and enhances the State's participation in the growing global demand for certified organic products. The export opportunity is expected to enable participating farmers to achieve up to 40% higher price realization compared to domestic market prices, providing a significant economic incentive for farmers to engage in organized export-oriented production.
The export follows the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) organized by APEDA in Tripura last month, which brought together potential international buyers and local producers to create market access linkages. This current consignment represents the conversion of those buyer-seller interactions into concrete international business opportunities for farmers and FPCs.
The export to Austria and the Netherlands is particularly significant as these are discerning international markets where quality, food safety, certification, and traceability are critical considerations. The NPOP certification ensures compliance with international organic standards, making the products acceptable in these markets.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by key officials including Shri Ratan Lal Nath, Agriculture Minister of Tripura; Shri Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA; and Shri Apurba Roy, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Tripura. Other dignitaries included Dr. Saswati Bose, Secretary of APEDA; Smt. Tanushri Bhattacharya, GM of NABARD; Shri Phanibhusan Jamatia, Director of Agriculture; and Shri Rajib Debbarma, Mission Director of TSOFDA, along with officials from APEDA, representatives of the exporter and logistics partners, and progressive rice farmers from the region.
During the ceremony, Shri Ratan Lal Nath emphasized that this export represents a proud moment for Tripura and reflects the hard work of farmers, FPCs, and other stakeholders. He highlighted Tripura's immense potential in organic and traditional agricultural products and stated that such initiatives would help farmers access new markets, secure better price realization, and build sustainable livelihoods. The State Government committed to strengthening the organic farming ecosystem and supporting producers in meeting international standards.
Shri Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, noted that this export demonstrates the North Eastern Region's potential to contribute to India's growing organic and agricultural exports. He emphasized that by connecting FPCs and farmers with international markets while strengthening certification, traceability, and quality systems, APEDA is creating sustainable and organized export opportunities. APEDA pledged to continue working closely with the Government of Tripura and other stakeholders to promote the State's unique agricultural products in global markets.