India Exports First Shipment of Fortified Rice Kernel to Costa Rica

India's Fortified Rice Kernel Export Initiative

New Delhi, Nov 4: India has successfully dispatched its inaugural export of 12 metric tonnes of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica, as announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

This initiative, spearheaded by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), highlights India's advancements in food fortification technology and its dedication to enhancing global food security and nutrition.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal shared on social media platform X, "The first consignment of 12 MT of Fortified Rice Kernel from Chhattisgarh has been exported to Costa Rica. This initiative, part of PM Narendra Modi's mission to combat malnutrition, not only boosts our foreign trade but also supports our nutrition objectives on a global scale."

He further noted, "This also opens up new markets for our farmers, millers, and exporters, leading to improved price realization and enhanced promotion of value-added agricultural exports."

Chhattisgarh has been actively working to promote the export of rice and fortified rice products, allowing local farmers, millers, and exporters to gain visibility in international markets.

The Ministry emphasized, "The successful export of FRK to Costa Rica underscores Chhattisgarh's expanding role in the global supply chain for nutrition-rich food products."

This development positions India as a dependable supplier of nutritious and high-quality food items in the global marketplace.

Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, remarked, "The export of fortified rice from India not only enhances the nation's agricultural export portfolio but also reaffirms our commitment to tackling malnutrition through scientifically backed and globally recognized food solutions," while congratulating all exporters and stakeholders involved in this achievement.

FRK is created by mixing rice flour with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. These nutrients are extruded and shaped to mimic rice grains, which are then combined with regular rice at a specific ratio to boost the staple's nutritional content.