India Exports First-Ever Sea Shipment of Value-Added Millet Products to New Zealand

New Delhi: India has achieved a new milestone in agricultural exports with the first-ever sea shipment of value-added millet-based food products being sent to New Zealand, marking a significant step in expanding the global reach of the country's traditional grains.

According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the shipment was facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and comprised one metric tonne of ready-to-cook millet products exported from Karnataka.

The consignment was dispatched by Infini Agrotek LLP on Wednesday, reflecting the growing international demand for innovative millet-based foods and highlighting new opportunities for India's value-added agricultural exports.

The company had participated in several APEDA-supported trade promotion events, including World Food India 2025, Indus Food 2025 and Gulfood 2026. These platforms helped the exporter connect with overseas buyers, expand its customer network and strengthen its international market presence.

The export order from New Zealand is being viewed as a direct outcome of sustained business networking and market outreach efforts supported by APEDA.

The shipment was virtually flagged off by Abhishek Dev, who congratulated the company for developing innovative millet-based products and successfully entering international markets. He also encouraged the exporter to continue participating in trade fairs and export promotion programmes to explore additional global opportunities.

The consignment includes botanical-infused functional millet foods, a category that is gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers worldwide. Officials believe the growing export of such products will benefit millet farmers by creating stronger demand and improving access to international markets.

The development is expected to strengthen India's agri-export ecosystem and generate opportunities across the millet value chain, from cultivation and processing to packaging and exports.

Millets have become an increasingly important part of India's agricultural export basket due to their nutritional value, climate resilience and rising global popularity as healthy food alternatives. The success of this shipment further underlines the potential of India's millet sector to expand its footprint in international markets while creating new income opportunities for farmers, food processors and exporters.

With inputs from IANS