Mithila Makhana makes first commercial sea shipment from Bihar to Australia

An 18-metric-tonne consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar, India, has completed its first commercial sea shipment to Australia. Facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the shipment was sourced from growers in the Darbhanga district.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the development as "another major milestone in the global market." The initiative reportedly allowed farmers to realize approximately 18% higher returns than prevailing market prices. The consignment, consisting of seven containers, was flagged off from the Integrated Unit of Irradiation Cum Packhouse at Bihta, Patna.

Bihar produces approximately 85% of India’s makhana. In the previous fiscal year (FY26), India exported over 7,000 metric tonnes of makhana and value-added products to more than 20 international destinations, including the United States, the Middle East, and Africa. A specific HS Code for makhana was implemented in July 2025 to further support the sector.