India Exported Over 7,000 Tonnes of Makhana in FY26
India exported more than 7,000 metric tonnes of Makhana and value-added products to over 20 countries in FY26, with Bihar accounting for nearly 85 per cent of production.
“India Exported Over 7,000 Tonnes of Makhana in FY26”
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8 Aug 2026
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India Exported Over 7,000 Tonnes of Makhana in FY26
New Delhi: India exported more than 7,000 metric tonnes of Makhana and value-added Makhana products to over 20 international destinations, including the United States, the Middle East and Africa, in the last fiscal year (FY26), the government said on Saturday.
Bihar accounts for nearly 85 per cent of India’s Makhana production. To strengthen the sector further, a separate HS Code for Makhana came into effect from July last year under the Finance Bill, 2025.
In a first for the product, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first commercial sea shipment of 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar, to Australia. The consignment was sourced from Makhana growers in Darbhanga district.
According to the Commerce Ministry, the initiative is expected to strengthen the international presence of Bihar’s flagship GI product while improving income opportunities for farmers through export-led market access. Farmers have realised nearly 18 per cent higher returns than prevailing market rates, underlining the benefits of export-oriented value chains and direct market linkages.
The shipment is also expected to create more sustainable export opportunities for Bihar’s Makhana sector and support higher farmer incomes over time.
State Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said Makhana is closely identified with Bihar and that greater participation by Bihar-based exporters in international trade would help farmers secure better prices. He stressed the need to maintain quality standards to meet global market requirements and said the Bihar government was continuously working to strengthen the Makhana value chain by supporting growers, processors and exporters.
The minister added that all necessary support would continue for the Phori community, whose traditional skills are integral to Makhana processing. The first sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Australia, he said, reflected growing global demand for Bihar’s agricultural products and opened new opportunities for both farmers and exporters.
The combination of a dedicated HS Code, GI recognition and the Australia consignment marks a step toward organising Makhana more firmly as an export commodity while linking Bihar’s growers to international markets.
