New Delhi, 02 October (H.S.): Bihar’s makhana is no longer confined to the domestic market, with demand for the popular aquatic crop and food product growing in international markets. A one-metric-tonne consignment of popped makhana from Purnea, Bihar, has been dispatched to Greece.

The consignment, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), marks a significant step towards connecting Bihar’s makhana producers with international markets. The export has also enabled the producers to secure better prices compared with the domestic market.

The consignment, sourced from Indo Global Export, Belauri, Purnea, is being shipped to Greece through S.S. Foods Exports Private Limited, New Delhi. It will be transported from India’s Mundra Port to the Port of Piraeus in Greece.

India is a global leader in makhana production, with Bihar accounting for approximately 80–85 per cent of the country’s total output. Makhana is cultivated across more than 35,000 hectares in 10 districts of Bihar.

During the financial year 2025–26, India exported more than 7,000 metric tonnes of makhana and makhana-based products to more than 20 international destinations, with exports valued at approximately US$22 million.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the dispatch ceremony for the makhana consignment was presided over by Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, Bihar Government Horticulture Director Abhishek Kumar, senior state government officials and other stakeholders associated with the makhana export value chain were also present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar