Fresh pomegranates for export from India are globally renowned for their premium Bhagwa variety, featuring deep red glossy rinds, rich sweet-and-tangy flavors, and soft, edible arils. Cultivated primarily in Maharashtra, these export-quality fruits are strictly size-graded, pesticide-compliant, and carefully packaged to guarantee a long shelf life.
Key Product Specifications
Leading Variety: Bhagwa (highly sought after for its dark cherry-red arils and soft seeds)
Weight Range: \(180\text{g}\) to \(500\text{g}\) per fruit
T.S.S (Total Soluble Solids): \(15^{\circ }\) to \(16^{\circ }\) Brix
Acidity: \(0.35\%\) to \(0.39\%\)
Quality Grades:
Extra Class: Superior quality, free from defects.
Class I & II: Strictly graded for minor skin blemishes (maximum allowed 5% to 10%).
Shelf Life: Up to \(15\) to \(60\) days depending on cold storage parameters (\(5^{\circ }\text{C}\) to \(10^{\circ }\text{C}\) with \(90\%-95\%\) Relative Humidity)
Harvest Seasons
Thanks to diverse climatic treatments, Indian pomegranates are available for export almost year-round across three primary seasons:
Mrig Bahar: Harvested from November to March
Hasta Bahar: Harvested from February to May
Ambe Bahar: Harvested from June to August
Packaging
Fruits are meticulously washed, air-dried, and size-graded. They are typically packed in \(1.8\text{kg}\), \(3\text{kg}\), \(5\text{kg}\), or \(10\text{kg}\) ventilated Corrugated Fibre Board (CFB) boxes with soft cushioning or paper waste to prevent bruising during transit.
Export Compliance & Standards
All exports of fresh pomegranates from India are heavily monitored by the government to ensure traceability and food safety:
Traceability: Farmers and packhouses must be registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Rasp Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP).
Compliance: Adheres strictly to international MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) standards, with Global GAP certifications typically required for European and US markets.
Key Destinations: The UAE, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and the UK
