Under the MoU, two premium varieties — Raktsey Karpo, a GI-tagged variety, and Halman — will be exported.
Ladakh’s famed apricots are set to return to global markets this season, with the Union Territory administration signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE-based retail major Lulu Group to export 1,000 tonnes (mt) of the fruit beginning July.
The agreement marks the second such export initiative from the cold desert region, but officials said volumes this year will be significantly higher, raising questions about storage and logistics infrastructure critical for handling perishable produce.
Under the MoU, two premium varieties — Raktsey Karpo, a GI-tagged variety, and Halman — will be exported. Both are prized for their taste and suitability for fresh consumption and processing.
Officials acknowledge that logistics, particularly cold-chain infrastructure, remains a key challenge. Apricots are highly perishable and require efficient post-harvest handling, including grading, storage and refrigerated transport, to maintain quality during long-distance shipments.
However, a senior official said the region has developed some capacity to address these concerns. “A storage facility with a capacity of 1,000 tonnes has been constructed,” the official said, adding that additional solar-powered cold storage units are planned to strengthen preservation capabilities in remote areas.
The push for solar-powered facilities reflects Ladakh’s unique geography, where energy access can be inconsistent and conventional cold storage systems are difficult to operate at scale.
Tsewang Phunchok, Director of the Horticulture Department, Ladakh, told businessline that this is the second time apricot shipments are being exported from the region. “This year, however, the quantity will be much higher,” he said.
Known for producing high-quality organic apricots, Ladakh accounts for more than 60 per cent of India’s total output of the fruit. Around 2,612 hectares are under apricot cultivation, with annual production estimated at about 15,858 mt , according to official data.
Apricot cultivation supports between 40,000 and 60,000 people in the region, with thousands more dependent on associated sectors such as processing, trade and tourism.
While the export push is expected to boost incomes, its success will hinge on whether Ladakh can scale up its storage and cold-chain infrastructure in future to handle larger volumes without compromising quality.
Source : Thehindubusinessline
