Sikkim’s Dalle Chilly Reaches Solomon Islands: Boosting India's Organic Export Profile

The introduction of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands market originated from its successful international debut at a promotional event held in Singapore in 2023.

India has successfully exported the first-ever consignment of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim directly to the Solomon Islands, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to expand its presence in the global organic agricultural market. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), operating under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, facilitated this landmark export, highlighting the growing international demand for premium organic products from India’s North Eastern states.

Popularly known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, the Dalle Chilly is renowned globally for its exceptional pungency, vibrant red hue, and impressive nutritional profile, which includes high concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E, along with essential minerals like potassium. This spicy delight from Sikkim has a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating ranging between 100,000 to 350,000, making it highly coveted for culinary and medicinal uses worldwide.

Mevedir, a prominent agri-export enterprise dedicated to promoting organic produce from Sikkim, sourced approximately 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chillies directly from local farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the South Sikkim regions of Tinkitam and Tarku. The export initiative secured farmers a premium price ranging from Rs 250-300 per kg, significantly higher than the usual local market rates of Rs 180-200 per kg, underscoring the tangible economic benefits associated with GI-tagging and international market integration.

The processing of this special consignment was meticulously executed at an APEDA-funded Integrated Pack House, developed and operated by the Department of Horticulture, Government of Sikkim. Of the total fresh quantity sourced, approximately 9,000 kg underwent dehydration, yielding about 200 kg of dried chillies from 1,600 kg of fresh produce—a recovery rate of 12.5%. Additionally, 6,000 kg of chillies were preserved for subsequent processing and export, ensuring sustainable utilization and continuous supply.

The introduction of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands market originated from its successful international debut at a promotional event held in Singapore in 2023. This event sparked direct interest from Solomon Islands' buyers, who subsequently reached out to Mevedir, choosing to establish direct sourcing channels rather than relying on previous indirect export routes. This transition reflects enhanced trust in India's organic agricultural supply chain and its capability to deliver premium quality products consistently.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously emphasized the pivotal role of India's North Eastern region in realizing the nation’s vision for sustainable and organic agriculture. He highlighted the importance of GI tags not merely as markers of identity but as powerful catalysts capable of transforming the economic landscape for local farmers, artisans, and producers by unlocking new markets globally.

Awarded the GI tag in 2020 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Dalle Chilly’s registration was facilitated by the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), substantially enhancing its visibility, authenticity, and marketability internationally. This strategic move significantly raised the profile of Sikkim’s agricultural produce, positioning it prominently on the global spice map.

India’s active promotion of organic farming in the North Eastern region is anchored by the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), driven by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Through this mission, substantial improvements in the production, quality, and supply chain logistics for organic Dalle Chilly have been achieved, significantly bolstering its competitive advantage in the international marketplace.

APEDA’s collaborative efforts with the Sikkim Agriculture Department and its regional office in Guwahati were instrumental in ensuring this export endeavor was successful. The direct export of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands represents a critical step towards establishing Sikkim as a key global player in the spice industry, leveraging the region’s ideal climatic conditions and fertile soils to produce spices of unmatched quality and authenticity.

This landmark export not only enhances India's reputation as a reliable provider of high-quality organic agricultural products but also paves the way for greater economic prosperity for farmers in the region, encouraging more sustainable agricultural practices and fostering stronger global partnerships.