The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, facilitated the flag-off of the first-ever sea shipment of value-added flavoured Makhana (fox nuts) from Darbhanga, Bihar, to Canada on 29 July 2026. The milestone export marks a significant step in promoting Bihar's premium agricultural produce in global markets while expanding the state's basket of value-added agricultural exports.

The consignment, comprising 7 metric tonnes packed in two containers, was dispatched through Mundra Port to ZKV Foods, Canada. The flavoured Makhana was processed and packaged by Nutrivin Agro Private Limited in accordance with international quality and food safety standards, reflecting Bihar's growing capabilities in food processing, value addition and export-oriented manufacturing.

The flag-off ceremony was graced by APEDA Chairman, Shri Abhishek Dev, who appreciated the collective efforts of the exporter, processors, farmers, industry stakeholders and APEDA officials in facilitating the shipment. He said such collaborative initiatives are strengthening Bihar's agri-export ecosystem, promoting value-added agricultural products and expanding global market access for the state's unique produce.

The event was attended by Dr. Manoj Kumar, Scientist, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga; Shri Loknath Thakur, District Agriculture Marketing Officer; senior officers of APEDA; and exporters and stakeholders associated with the Makhana value chain.

Makhana, popularly known as fox nuts, is one of Bihar's flagship agricultural products, with the state accounting for the largest share of India's production. Renowned for its nutritional value and premium quality, Bihar's Makhana has witnessed growing demand in international markets owing to increasing consumer preference for healthy and value-added food products. The export of flavoured Makhana is expected to further diversify export opportunities while enhancing the global recognition of this unique product.

The export of value-added flavoured Makhana has enabled associated Makhana farmers to realise over 50 per cent higher returns through value addition and improved access to international markets. It also demonstrates the potential of processing, branding and export-oriented value addition in enhancing the competitiveness of India's agricultural products while strengthening farmers' integration with global value chains.

APEDA has been consistently working to develop Bihar as a leading agri-export hub through capacity building, export infrastructure development, quality compliance, market linkages and value addition. It continues to work closely with State Governments, exporters, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), processors and other stakeholders to strengthen India's agri-export ecosystem through quality assurance, export facilitation and market development. The successful sea shipment of flavoured Makhana to Canada marks another important milestone in these efforts, creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers, processors and exporters while further enhancing the global presence of Bihar's premium agricultural products.

बिहार के किसानों के लिए एक और बड़ी उपलब्धि...@APEDADOC के प्रयासों से दरभंगा, बिहार से पहली बार समुद्री मार्ग के माध्यम से 7 मीट्रिक टन फ्लेवर्ड मखाना का निर्यात कनाडा के लिए किया गया।

वैश्विक बाज़ार तक पहुँच के इस प्रयास से जुड़े किसानों को 50% से अधिक बेहतर मूल्य प्राप्त हो… pic.twitter.com/SusGAEGNvk

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 30, 2026

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Abhishek Dayal/ Garima Singh/ Ishita Biswas

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