Assam's renowned GI-tagged Tezpur litchis are gaining significant international recognition, with Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, expressing enthusiastic praise and a plea for increased exports. Wong took to social media to commend the fruit, stating it was "selling fast in Singapore" and thanking Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the introduction.
Chief Minister Sarma reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his delight at the litchis' warm reception in the city-state and assuring that future shipments would arrive promptly to meet demand. This diplomatic exchange highlights the growing success of Tezpur litchi exports in global markets.
Expanding Global Footprint
The High Commissioner's remarks come on the heels of a targeted export push that saw approximately 600 kilograms of Tezpur litchis dispatched to Singapore. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to introduce the distinct fruit to international consumers. Furthermore, an additional tonne of various litchi varieties was exported to Dubai during the recently concluded Tezpur Litchi Festival 2026.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal previously lauded the export drive, emphasizing that Assam's GI-tagged Tezpur litchi is now "spreading its sweetness in foreign markets." Goyal highlighted the support from APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) in facilitating these exports, underscoring their potential to elevate the region's agricultural products globally, secure better prices for farmers, and generate new opportunities for Northeast India.
A Century of Sweetness
The recent export milestones coincide with celebrations marking 100 years of litchi cultivation in Tezpur. The two-day Tezpur Litchi Festival, organized by the Sonitpur district administration, showcased the fruit's rich legacy, known for its distinctive taste, succulent flesh, and vibrant color. The festival itself reported impressive sales, with litchis valued at over Rs 4 lakh sold in a single day, and the popular Bombay variety fetching between Rs 40 and Rs 50 per fruit.
The history of Tezpur litchi cultivation traces back to 1923, when litterateur and former Tezpur Municipality chairman Padmanath Gohain Baruah established the first litchi orchards. Today, more than 150 farmers cultivate litchis across over 400 bighas of land in the region, according to the Agnigarh Agricultural Producers Group, contributing significantly to the local economy and agricultural heritage.