Pomegranate Exporter from India
Bhagwa pomegranates from Maharashtra's growing belts — deep red aril, export-grade counts, reefer-shipped.
Quick answer: Green Plus EXIM exports Bhagwa (and Ganesh) pomegranates from India, graded by count and packed in 3.5kg or 4kg cartons for reefer shipping at 5–7°C. The UAE is India's single largest pomegranate market, alongside Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Nepal and Saudi Arabia. Peak season runs roughly September to March. MOQ is one 20ft reefer container.
Bhagwa pomegranate from India
If you're importing Indian pomegranate, you're almost certainly buying Bhagwa. It's the variety that made India competitive in export markets: deep red arils, high sweetness, a thick skin that tolerates handling and long transits, and a shelf life of 45–60 days when the cold chain is managed properly.
We source from Maharashtra's Solapur, Sangli, Nashik, Pune and Ahmednagar belts, with supplementary volume from Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Fruit is count-graded to your specification, sleeved, packed in 3.5kg or 4kg cartons and pre-cooled before loading into reefers set to 5–7°C.
How should I specify pomegranate for my market?
Two things matter more than anything else on a pomegranate order:
- Count grade. Fruit is graded by weight — 200–250g, 250–300g, 300–400g, 400g+. Gulf buyers frequently want larger counts for retail display; some European programmes prefer mid-size fruit for consistency across a pack. Tell us your target and we'll quote against it rather than guessing.
- Residue compliance. For EU and UK shipments, pesticide residue is the single most common cause of rejection across Indian fresh produce generally. We can arrange lab testing before shipment — see our quality process — but it needs to be agreed upfront, not after loading.
When is Indian pomegranate available?
The main export season runs roughly September to March. Maharashtra growers stagger their bahar (flowering) cycles — ambe bahar, mrig bahar and hasta bahar — which is what stretches Indian supply across several months rather than concentrating it into one short window. Outside that main window, availability narrows and prices reflect it.
Which markets buy Indian pomegranate?
The UAE is India's single largest pomegranate destination by value, with Bangladesh and Nepal taking significant regional volume and the Netherlands acting as a major European entry point (from where fruit is redistributed across the EU). Saudi Arabia and other Gulf markets take steady volume through the season. The table below shows what the available data reports, along with its source, year and limitations.
See also our guides to Alphonso mango exports to the UK and grapes to the Netherlands for how other Indian fresh-fruit lines ship to Europe.
Pomegranate export pricing
Pomegranate prices move with harvest volumes, count-grade availability and reefer freight rates — a 400g+ grade in a short season prices very differently from mid-count fruit at peak. We quote current FOB or CIF prices against your specified count grade and destination port, with a stated validity window.
Key facts
- Variety: Bhagwa (deep red aril, 15–16° Brix typical)
- HS code: 0810.90 (fresh pomegranate)
- Count grades: 200–250g through 400g+, buyer-specified
- Packed in 3.5kg / 4kg cartons; ~18–20 MT per 20ft reefer
- Shipped at 5–7°C, 90–95% RH; 45–60 day shelf life with prompt pre-cooling
- Main season: September–March
- Leading markets from India: UAE, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal, Saudi Arabia
Step 1 of 2 — takes 60 seconds
Pomegranate specifications
| Parameter | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Variety | Bhagwa (primary export variety); Ganesh and Arakta on request |
| Aril colour | Deep red, sweet — Bhagwa's main export advantage |
| Fruit size / count | 200–250g, 250–300g, 300–400g, 400g+ (count-graded per buyer spec) |
| Skin | Glossy, unblemished, free from sunburn, cracks and bruising |
| TSS (sweetness) | 15–16° Brix typical |
| Maturity | Fully mature, firm, uniform colour |
| Pesticide residue | Within destination-market limits; lab testing on request (important for EU shipments) |
Typical specs — final specifications as per contract. Tell us your required grade when you request a quote and we'll confirm availability.
Packaging & container loading
| Detail | Options |
|---|---|
| Packaging | 3.5 kg or 4 kg corrugated cartons with individual fruit sleeves/nets; 5 kg and 10 kg formats on request; buyer artwork possible |
| Minimum order quantity | 1 × 20ft container; trial orders discussed |
| Loading capacity (20ft) | Not typical — pomegranates move in 40ft reefers |
| Loading capacity (40ft) | Approx. 3,700–4,200 cartons of 4 kg (~15–17 MT) in a 40ft reefer |
| Shelf life & storage | 45–60 days at 5–7°C with 90–95% relative humidity, when pre-cooled promptly after harvest |
Loading figures are typical estimates — use the pomegranate container load estimator for a planning figure, and confirm exact figures with us before booking.
Availability calendar
Typical availability for pomegranate from India, by month:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Availability shifts year to year with weather and growing conditions — ask for current availability before planning a shipment window.
Where India exports fresh pomegranate
India's top destination markets for fresh pomegranate (HS 0810 90 (fresh pomegranate)), 2024-25 (Apr–Jan partial year):
| Destination country | Export value (USD) |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $18,600,000 |
| Bangladesh | Not broken out in source |
| Netherlands | Not broken out in source |
| Nepal | Not broken out in source |
| Saudi Arabia | Not broken out in source |
Source: Trade-press compilation (dataverseeinc.in / seair.co.in), APEDA-linked — view source. Data year: 2024-25 (Apr–Jan partial year). Retrieved: 2026-09-17.
Notes on this data
Aggregate: April 2024–January 2025 (10-month partial FY2024-25) pomegranate exports totalled USD 59.76 million, up 21% YoY. UAE is the only country with a specific value (USD 18.6 million, ~31% of the partial-year total). Netherlands, France and Germany were named as European markets and Bangladesh/Nepal as South Asian markets, Saudi Arabia/Qatar as Gulf markets, but without individual values — left null. Note France and Germany were mentioned as markets but are not in the top-5 list above (only 5 rows kept per schema intent); check APEDA source directly for a full ranked list before publishing.
Indian sourcing regions
Maharashtra is India's pomegranate heartland — Solapur, Sangli, Nashik, Pune and Ahmednagar districts — with additional volume from Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Solapur alone accounts for a large share of Bhagwa production, and its staggered bahar (flowering) cycles are what let Indian pomegranate supply stretch across several months.
Export documentation
Export documentation prepared to match destination-country and buyer requirements — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate, lab test reports and more, as applicable.
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of origin
- Pesticide residue / lab test report (commonly required for EU and UK shipments)
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
- Reefer temperature log / data logger (on request)
Share your compliance checklist and we will confirm the documentation for your shipment. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Get a quote for Pomegranate
Tell us your specs — get a quote within 24 business hours.
Pomegranate export FAQs
Bhagwa is the dominant export variety — it has a deep red aril, sweet flavour, thick skin that travels well, and good shelf life. Ganesh and Arakta are also grown but make up far less export volume.
By fruit weight/count — commonly 200–250g, 250–300g, 300–400g and 400g+. Tell us the count grade your market prefers; Gulf buyers and European buyers often want different sizes.
The main export window runs roughly September through March, driven by Maharashtra's staggered bahar flowering cycles. Availability outside that window is limited and priced accordingly.
5–7°C with 90–95% relative humidity. Prompt pre-cooling after harvest matters as much as the container setting — it's what gets you the full 45–60 day shelf life.
Yes, on request. For EU and UK shipments residue testing is effectively expected, so tell us your destination early and we'll confirm which tests apply and the turnaround time.
Around 3,700–4,200 cartons of 4kg (roughly 15–17 MT) in a 40ft reefer, which is how pomegranates normally ship; the exact count depends on carton dimensions and pallet configuration.
One 20ft reefer container. We don't split reefer loads across buyers because the cold chain and temperature setting have to suit a single product.
Related products
Request a quote for Pomegranate
Tell us your quantity, destination port and required specification — we'll come back within 24 business hours.
- Response within 24 business hours
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- Samples available on request
Step 1 of 2 — takes 60 seconds