Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The total area under cultivation of pomegranate in India is 107.00 thousand ha and production is around 743.00 thousands tons.
India is the largest producer of pomegranates in the world.
India produces finest varieties of pomegranate having soft seeds, very less acids and very attractive colour of the fruits and grains.
With adoption of different “bahars”, India can supply pomegranates almost throughout the year.
Maximum cultivation of pomegranate is in states of Maharashtra and North Western Karnataka which are very close to the western port of Mumbai for exporting to Gulf and European countries.
Quality of pomegranate is much superior to Spain and Iran in edible quality and attractiveness.
Agri Export Zone for enhancing exports of pomegranate has been established in Maharashtra state.
There is strong research support for scientific cultivation of pomegranate like National Research Center for Pomegranate, Solapur, MPKV, Rahuri in Maharashtra and IIHR, Bangalore in Karnataka state.
Pomegranate co-operative societies from Maharashtra state have formed an apex cooperative namely MAHA ANAR.
Bhagwa variety has high acceptance in European market.
Pomegranate export facility center is being set up/has been set up in Baramati area with mechanical handling system.
Farmers have been trained for export quality production and have registered with GLOBALGAP certification.
MSAMB has recently obtained brand name i.e. “MAHAPOM”.
Pomegranates grown in different parts of country are transported to the big cities for marketing.
The fruits produced in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu find market in Mumbai, Nagpur and Kolkata.
The important whole sale markets of pomegranate in India are Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Pune and Ahmedabad. Pomegranates for these big markets are usually collected at the central places in all pomegranate growing areas.
From Mumbai and Kolkata ports the pomegranate is exported to the destination markets.