The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has intensified efforts to unlock the export potential of Ladakh’s sea buckthorn, bringing together exporters, industry stakeholders and regional authorities at a two-day conclave focused on strengthening the value chain and expanding international market access.

As part of the initiative, APEDA facilitated the participation of 17 major exporters from across India, providing a platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with taking Ladakh’s sea buckthorn products to global markets.

The conclave focused on several critical aspects of export readiness, including certification, traceability, quality standards, processing, packaging and compliance with international market requirements. These areas are particularly important for strengthening the competitiveness of region-specific agricultural products and enabling producers to meet the quality and regulatory expectations of overseas markets.

A significant outcome of the conclave was the resolution of the certification issue related to wild-collected sea buckthorn for organic certification. The development is expected to support greater export readiness and facilitate improved access to international markets for Ladakh’s sea buckthorn.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of developing a robust and traceable value chain, supported by appropriate processing, quality assurance and packaging practices, to enhance the commercial potential of sea buckthorn and create greater opportunities for value-added products.

APEDA’s engagement forms part of broader efforts to promote the export of agricultural and processed food products from emerging regions and connect local resources with international markets.

In recognition of its contribution towards promoting exports from the region, APEDA was felicitated by the Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, during the conclave.

The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening Ladakh’s sea buckthorn ecosystem and addressing key bottlenecks that have the potential to influence the product’s journey from wild collection and processing to certification and global markets.

Source: APEDA