Assam Exports Tezpur Litchis to Dubai and Singapore

Assam sent the first export shipment of GI-tagged Tezpur litchis to Dubai and Singapore on 9 June 2026. The consignments were supported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and were flagged off from the Tezpur District Library in Sonitpur district.

Tezpur Litchi and GI Tag

Tezpur litchi received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015. A GI tag is a form of intellectual property protection used for products linked to a specific geographical origin and having qualities or reputation associated with that place. Tezpur litchi is known for its distinctive taste, rich flesh, and attractive colour. The cultivation of litchi in Tezpur dates back to 1923, when Padmanath Gohain Baruah established litchi orchards.

Export Shipment Details

One tonne of litchi varieties was exported to Dubai during the Tezpur Litchi Festival 2026. Around 600 kilograms of litchis were shipped to Singapore during the same period. The festival was a two-day event and marked the centenary of litchi cultivation in Tezpur. The consignments were flagged off by Sonitpur District Commissioner Anand Kumar Das, with Tezpur MLA Prithviraj Rabha, District Agriculture Officer Pradeep Kumar Talukdar, and Sadar Agriculture Officer Zakir Hussain present.

Institutional and Agricultural Context

APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It deals with the export promotion of agricultural and processed food products from India. Litchi is a subtropical fruit crop grown in several Indian states, including Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Assam. India is one of the major litchi-producing countries in the world.

Important Facts for Exams

• Tezpur litchi received its GI tag in 2015.
• The first litchi orchards in Tezpur were established in 1923.
• APEDA promotes exports of agricultural and processed food products from India.
• Geographical Indication tags are used for products linked to a specific region and its reputation.