GI-TAGGED LIME EXPORTS

India achieved a significant milestone in agricultural exports with the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime (Karnataka) and Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu) to the United Kingdom in October 2025. The export, facilitated by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) under the Ministry of Commerce, consisted of 500 kg of high-quality limes—350 kg from Vijayapura and 150 kg from Tenkasi. This marks India’s growing capability to supply niche, region-specific, high-value agricultural products to premium global markets such as the UK and Europe, where demand for organically grown and traceable produce is rising. APEDA had earlier enabled the export of 3 MT of Swadeshi Indi Lime to the UAE, suggesting expanding international acceptance.

The success of these exports is closely linked to the Geographical Indication (GI) regime. A GI is a legal tag that protects products possessing qualities or characteristics specific to their geographic origin—shaped by soil, climate, traditional practices, and cultural heritage. The Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999, aligns with WTO’s TRIPS Agreement and ensures exclusive rights to registered producers. India now has more than 650 GI-registered products, ranging from Darjeeling Tea to Mysore Sandal Soap, reflecting the country’s rich diversity. GI protection prevents misuse, enhances global recognition, and enables premium pricing.

Both limes possess distinct characteristics rooted in their regional ecology.
Indi Lime, from semi-arid Vijayapura, grows in deep black cotton soil rich in calcium. GI-tagged since 2022, it is medium-sized, bright green, and thin-skinned with a high juice yield and balanced acidity.