The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first-ever export of biscuits from Varanasi to Oman following the signing of the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant milestone for processed food exports from eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Biscuit Export Milestone under India-Oman CEPA
The inaugural shipment comprises 40 tonnes of biscuits manufactured by Shree Tirupati Balajee Industries, a Varanasi-based exporter, according to APEDA. The consignment is expected to strengthen the region's presence in international markets and boost exports of value-added food products. The export comes in the backdrop of the India-Oman CEPA, which is expected to deepen bilateral trade by providing improved market access for Indian goods, particularly agricultural and processed food products.
| Shipment Details | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | Biscuits |
| Quantity | 40 tonnes |
| Exporter | Shree Tirupati Balajee Industries (Varanasi) |
| Destination | Oman |
| Trade Agreement | India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) |
| Facilitating Body | APEDA (under Ministry of Commerce and Industry) |
Route and Logistics
The cargo will be transported from Varanasi to the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Kanpur for customs clearance before being shipped through Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), Mumbai to Oman, APEDA detailed. This logistics route leverages existing inland and port infrastructure to connect eastern Uttar Pradesh to Gulf markets.
APEDA's Export Promotion Initiatives
APEDA, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has supported Shree Tirupati Balajee Industries through a series of export promotion initiatives, including participation in major trade exhibitions such as AAHAR 2026 and Gulfood 2026. According to the authority, these efforts have helped improve the visibility of products from the Varanasi region and enabled access to overseas buyers. The first biscuit shipment under the India-Oman CEPA is being viewed as a step towards expanding the export footprint of eastern Uttar Pradesh while reinforcing APEDA’s efforts to promote agri and processed food exports from non-traditional export centres across the country.
Future Outlook
APEDA said additional consignments of processed food products to Oman are planned in the coming months, reflecting growing demand in the Gulf market. Officials believe the India-Oman CEPA will create fresh opportunities for exporters from emerging manufacturing and agri-processing hubs. The successful export of biscuits from Varanasi demonstrates the potential of processed food products from the region and the benefits of the bilateral trade agreement in opening new markets for Indian exporters.
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