India’s National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) is a new national cooperative federation envisioned to supply a range of Indian grapes, pomegranates, bananas, mangoes, and onions directly to overseas buyers, says Sanjay Suryawanshi, Business Head, Fruits and Vegetables. “Approved by the Union Cabinet and registered in January 2023, the federation now works with around 11,585 member cooperatives, spanning major producing states and crop categories.”
According to Suryawanshi, “NCEL’s fresh produce supply is built around partnerships with more than 300 grape growers farming across 1,200 acres, 100 pomegranate producers spanning 400 acres, plus a growing supply base for bananas, mangoes, and onions.” He adds, “The federation supports its supply chain with Global GAP, BRC, and SMETA certifications, as well as with strong ties in export markets like Europe, Canada, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China for grapes, and the Gulf markets for bananas and onions. The mango export program to the Middle East, UK, Canada, and the USA is also underway.”
© National Cooperative Exports Limited
Beyond fruits and vegetables, NCEL facilitates the exports of rice, grains, sugar, marine products, and spices. Suryawanshi mentions, “Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are in place with 17 Indian institutions and 64 overseas partners in Senegal, Indonesia, and Nepal to support continued expansion and offer certified trade volumes to buyers seeking Indian supply beyond traditional channels.”
The federation outlines plans to diversify and scale its exports: “In just over two years, we have shipped over 1.35 million metric tonnes of commodities worth USD 614 million to 28 countries. Going forward, our certified packhouses in Maharashtra’s major fruit growing hubs of Nashik, Sangli, and Baramati will support exports of seedless grapes, Bhagwa pomegranates, Alphonso and Kesar mangoes, as well as bananas and onions.”
© National Cooperative Exports Limited
Suryawanshi emphasizes that “there was a need to simplify sourcing of fresh produce from India by giving international buyers a direct line to India’s vast network of cooperatives and rural farmers. NCEL’s track record with commodity exports underscores an evolving yet strong cooperative ecosystem that links grassroots agriculture to global opportunities.”
As Suryawanshi sums it up, “For global importers, the federation’s appeal lies in its large-scale cooperative network, streamlined quality compliance, and direct access to India’s seasonal fruit portfolio, all with reliable handling and consistent volumes. Looking ahead, the cooperative will expand both its volume and range of export crops in the coming seasons.”
For more information:
Sanjay Suryawanshi
National Co-operative Exports Limited
Tel: +91 98 34 167 013
Email: [email protected]
www.ncel.coop