Greek Ports Receive Bihar’s Premium Popped Lotus Seeds

A one‑tonne consignment of premium popped makhana from Bihar’s Purnia region has arrived at Greece’s Piraeus port, marking a notable achievement for Indian agro‑exports. The export was organized under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and executed by Indoglobal Export in partnership with S.S. Foods Exports Private Ltd.

Officials from the Ministry of Commerce emphasized that the Greek market is offering better price points than the Indian domestic market, underscoring the potential for Bihar’s producers to capture higher margins abroad. Bihar contributes roughly 80‑85 percent of India’s total makhana output, cultivated on more than 35,000 hectares spread across ten districts.

During the 2025‑26 financial year, India shipped over 7,000 metric tonnes of raw and processed makhana, earning close to $22 million and reaching more than twenty countries. The Bihar government is crafting an agricultural export policy and expanding pack‑house infrastructure to strengthen the supply chain.

APEDA remains proactive in opening new destinations, supporting exporters, and forging trade relationships across Europe and beyond, aiming to sustain the upward trajectory of Bihar’s makhana industry.