SHILLONG, July 22: Meghalaya has added another chapter to its growing export story with a fresh consignment of premium organic pineapples reaching the shelves of LULU Hypermarket in Dubai.
Grown by farmers under the Jirang Organics Farmer Producer Company in the Ri-Bhoi district and supported by the Megha-LAMP initiative, the 2-metric-tonne shipment reflects the state’s strategic push to transform its agriculture sector into a global export engine.
The consignment was ceremonially flagged off from Shillong on July 11 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her visit to the state. The event marked a symbolic but significant milestone in Meghalaya’s effort to link its organic produce directly with international premium retail markets.
The pineapples, now prominently displayed at Dubai’s Silicon Central Mall under the LULU retail banner, are part of a broader strategy to position Meghalaya as a key horticultural exporter. Over the past year, the state has successfully shipped more than 20 metric tons of the GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin, 10 metric tons of pineapple, and 15 metric tons of organic ginger to West Asian markets, demonstrating scale, traceability, and international readiness.
At the heart of this export momentum is Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s vision to more than double farmer incomes by building direct, high-value market linkages. The CM Farm+ programme, institutional partnerships like Megha-LAMP, and private tie-ups with players like LULU Group International have created a structure that supports everything from production and packaging to transport and promotion.
In 2023, a formal agreement was signed between LULU and the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board. Since then, LULU has not only procured fresh produce but also pledged to help scale exports, improve packaging, and support branding for GI-tagged and organic products from the state.
Their sourcing infrastructure, spanning 85 countries and servicing over 650,000 daily shoppers, provides a premium platform for Meghalaya’s farm output.
The state has also pioneered alternative logistics. Instead of relying on Mumbai’s ports, Meghalaya now exports directly via air cargo from Guwahati. Sea shipments have also begun, most notably the first-ever 15 MT organic ginger consignment sent in March 2025 through collaboration with Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company.
The government’s efforts extend beyond export logistics. Earlier this year, a group of farmers and officials visited Dubai, where they engaged with buyers, participated in showcases, and observed their produce placed alongside global brands. These initiatives, the government believes, are essential in helping farmers understand global market standards, thereby increasing confidence and competitiveness.
While Sitharaman’s presence underscored the Centre’s backing for Northeast India’s agri-export ambitions, the moment belonged largely to the farmers, whose pineapples, grown on the red soils of Ri-Bhoi, now sit on international shelves.
