Telangana’s GI-tagged Tandur red gram makes export debut in Australia

APEDA facilitated the first-ever export of GI-tagged Tandur red gram from Telangana to Australia, marking a milestone for the State's agricultural exports. The 2.5-metric-tonne consignment was shipped from Hyderabad, opening new international market opportunities for farmers and producers of the GI-certified pulse from Vikarabad district.

Hyderabad:  The APEDA on Wednesday facilitated the first-ever export shipment of GI-tagged Tandur red gram from Telangana to Australia.

The export consignment was flagged off from Hyderabad to Australia in hybrid mode, an official release said.

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The consignment comprises 2.5 metric tonne of GI-tagged Tandur red gram, exported by Durga Exports and Imports, under the brand name AMMAAS. The consignment is being shipped to Australia by sea and imported by Bharathma PTY Ltd, Australia, it said.

The exporter is registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and is engaged in the export of rice, pulses, spices and groceries from Telangana.

Tandur red gram is the first agricultural product from Telangana to receive Geographical Indication (GI) registration, the release said.

It is primarily cultivated in the rainfed tracts of four mandals in the Tandur region in Vikarabad district — Tandur, Basheerabad, Peddemul and Yelal. The distinctive characteristics of Tandur red gram are associated with the region’s fertile deep black soils, the presence of attapulgite clay mineral deposits, and substantial limestone deposits.

Tandur red gram contains approximately 22–24 per cent protein, nearly three times the protein content of cereals, it said.

“Tandur red gram is valued for its excellent taste, superior cooking quality, and enhanced keeping quality. Its GI identity offers an opportunity to strengthen product recognition, improve market visibility, and generate greater value through access to domestic and international markets,” the release said.

The export shipment to Australia represents a significant step towards exploring new overseas markets for this distinctive agricultural product and expanding opportunities for farmers, producers, and exporters, it said.

Surendra Mohan, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary to the Telangana government, Agriculture and Cooperation Department, and R P Naidu, AGM, APEDA, Hyderabad, virtually flagged off the first consignment of GI-tagged Tandur red gram to Australia, the release added.