New Delhi, December 26 (IANS). In today’s time, Makhana has become a superfood. The demand for Makhana is very high not only in India but also outside the country. Recently a report has come out, which states that there has been a huge jump in the prices of Makhana (Foxnut) in America in recent months.
It was told that a pack of about 25 grams of Makhana, which was earlier available for 2 dollars, has now increased to 4 dollars. The main reason for this is said to be the heavy tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian imports, which has affected the domestic budget of American consumers.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, exports to America have been badly affected due to the 50 percent tariff imposed on Indian products. The consignments of many Indian exporters to America have declined by about 40 percent.
However, the report also said that Indian Makhana exporters have found alternative markets amid this crisis. A businessman, a native of India (Kolkata), living in America, said that before the pandemic, his monthly grocery expenditure was $ 500, which has now increased to $ 900, in which the increase in prices of things like makhana is the main reason.
According to the report, a ray of hope is also visible amidst the crisis. The demand for Indian Makhanas is now increasing in new international markets and interest towards this ‘superfood’ is increasing within the country as well. Demand is coming from new markets like Spain and South Africa, where there is increased awareness about the health benefits of makhana along with the Indian expatriate community.
In the year 2024-25, India exported about 800 metric tons of makhana to markets like Germany, China, America and the Middle East. America’s share in this alone was about 50 percent.
Satyajit Singh of Shakti Sudha Agro Ventures, whose company controls almost half of India’s total makhana exports, said, “This sector is still nascent and the international market is mainly limited to Indian expatriates. It has immense potential and there is a need to increase awareness about it in both domestic and foreign markets.”
Meanwhile, the central government has recently announced the formation of the Makhana Board, for which an initial provision of Rs 1 billion has been made. Its objectives are to organize the value chain, provide training, quality regulation and export promotion.
India is the world’s largest producer of makhana and its share in global production is about 80 percent. According to recent information given to Parliament, Bihar is the backbone of the country’s makhana production, from where about 85 percent of the national production occurs. Darbhanga has emerged as a major center of Makhana cultivation and processing.
–IANS
dsc
