Lulu Group Expands Partnership to Boost Meghalaya's Farm Exports
Global retail conglomerate Lulu Group International is deepening its collaboration with the northeastern state of Meghalaya, a move set to create significant international market opportunities for the region's unique agricultural products. This partnership aims to build a robust supply chain, connecting Meghalaya's farmers directly with consumers in the Middle East and beyond.
An eight-member delegation from Lulu Group recently visited the state to explore strategic sourcing opportunities. The visit builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) in November 2023. During meetings with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and other officials, the delegation discussed plans to expand market access, increase farmer incomes, and improve agri-export infrastructure. The Chief Minister assured the group of the government's full support, emphasizing the state's distinct, high-quality produce grown using traditional farming methods.
This collaboration is already yielding results. Over the past two years, Meghalaya has successfully exported its GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin, pineapple, and organic ginger. The state has pioneered direct export channels, including a first-ever air cargo shipment of mandarins from Guwahati to Dubai, which drastically reduces transit time for perishable goods. To date, over 13 metric tons of Khasi Mandarin and 10 metric tons of pineapple have reached Middle Eastern markets. In a significant milestone for scalability, the state also sent its first sea shipment of 15 metric tons of organic ginger to Dubai in March 2025.
A key part of this strategy involves empowering the farmers themselves. In March, a team of state officials and eight progressive farmers traveled to Dubai. There, they gained firsthand experience of international trade practices and saw their own products on the shelves of Lulu Hypermarkets. This exposure helps them better understand global consumer demands and quality standards.
In summary, the growing partnership between Lulu Group and Meghalaya is a focused effort to develop the region's farming capabilities. By creating direct, efficient export routes, this partnership is not just selling produce; it is building a sustainable economic future for the state's farming communities and positioning the Northeast as a key player in the global market for premium organic goods.
