APEDA Signs MoU with LuLu Group to Boost Global Reach of Indian Organic Products

The signing ceremony took place in Mumbai in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, Ministry of Economy.

On September 10, 2024, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LuLu Group International LLC, a prominent retail chain in the Middle East and Asia. The signing ceremony took place in Mumbai in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, Ministry of Economy.

The MoU marks a significant step in expanding the global reach of Indian organic products. Under this agreement, LuLu Group will feature a diverse selection of certified Indian organic products in its stores across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). APEDA will play a crucial role in facilitating connections between Indian organic growers—including Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), and cooperatives—and LuLu Group, ensuring a wider audience for these products.

Key initiatives outlined in the MoU include:

Dedicated Shelf Space: Indian organic products certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) will have dedicated shelf space in LuLu hypermarkets.

Promotional Campaigns: Product sampling, interactive events, and consumer feedback drives will be organized to boost visibility and consumer awareness.

Buyer-Seller Meets and Trade Fairs: These will be held to enhance B2B interactions and promote organic exports.

Exposure Visits: Indian FPOs, FPCs, and cooperatives will have the opportunity to visit LuLu Group’s infrastructure in the UAE to gain insights into international retail markets.

This partnership aims to significantly enhance the global presence of Indian organic products and foster the growth of organic farming in India. By linking Indian producers with global consumers, the initiative is expected to strengthen the export of agricultural and processed food products from India. APEDA, which also serves as the Secretariat for the NPOP, is dedicated to promoting and regulating organic exports from India.

The strategic alliance with LuLu Group is anticipated to create substantial opportunities for Indian organic products, leveraging LuLu Group’s extensive network of hypermarkets and retail outlets to reach a broader international market.