Shillong: Meghalaya’s pineapple industry is trading roadside stalls for high-end retail. The shift has pushed prices from Rs 15 to Rs 120 per kilogram. This marks a massive economic turnaround for the state. A new export strategy recently hit a major milestone at the 4th Meghalaya Pineapple Festival in Delhi.
The state signed a deal with Lulu Group International to move produce into Gulf markets. This follows a broader plan to cut out middlemen and boost farmer profits. Meghalaya now runs over 500 women-led cooperatives. These connect 1 lakh farmers to a central supply chain. Farmers report an 80% jump in income as a result.
A hub and spoke model drives the growth. It feeds fresh fruit to Reliance Fresh and specific cuts to Barbeque Nation. Exports to Europe now feature frozen pineapple cubes. This processing work captures 700% more value than raw sales. Future plans include freeze-dried products for the medical industry.
Marketing is now unified under the Meg Collective brand. Consumers can find the fruit on Amazon and in stores across Indian metros. Currently, 12,600 hectares of land produce 1.2 lakh metric tonnes of pineapples every year.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma closed the festival alongside local musicians. He highlighted the government's support for both agriculture and the arts. Addressing the crowd, Sangma said, "On behalf of all the farmers, entrepreneurs, and musicians of Meghalaya, I really want to thank all of you for making this festival a great success."
The event also showcased the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme. This initiative funds over 7,000 artists to perform at tourist sites. The state aims to move 90,000 farmers into this high-value export network.
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