India has successfully exported its first consignment of GI-tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands, marking a milestone for the country's organic agricultural sector. Facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, this export highlights growing international interest in products from India's North Eastern region.
Known for its intense heat, bright red color, and rich nutritional value, the Dalle Chilly—also referred to as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani—has a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating ranging from 100,000 to 350,000. It is valued not only as a spice but also for its medicinal properties, being rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as potassium.
The exported consignment was sourced from around 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chilly collected by Mevedir, a leading agri-export company, from farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in South Sikkim, including the Tinkitam and Tarku regions. Farmers received premium prices of Rs 250–300 per kg, compared to the typical $2.17 to $2.41 per kg, underscoring the economic benefits of GI certification and direct export access.
Processing took place at an APEDA-funded Integrated Pack House, developed by the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim. Of the total quantity, 9,000 kg was dehydrated, and 6,000 kg was preserved for further processing. The drying process yielded a 12.5% recovery rate, with 1,600 kg of fresh chilies processed into 200 kg of dried product for export.
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Dalle Chilly was granted in 2020 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) supported the registration process, enhancing the product's identity and global marketability.
This development aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on the North East as central to India's sustainable and healthy future. He has described the GI tag as a gateway to new markets and economic prosperity for regional farmers and artisans.
The export also reflects the impact of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), a government initiative led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to promote organic farming. This has helped improve both the production and quality of Dalle Chilly.
Mevedir directly supplied the consignment to the Solomon Islands, a move that marks a shift from earlier indirect export channels. The buyer first encountered the product during its international debut in Singapore in 2023 and pursued direct sourcing thereafter.
APEDA, working with Sikkim's Agriculture Department and its Regional Office in Guwahati, played a key role in enabling the export and ensuring local farmers benefit from increased international exposure. This successful shipment positions Sikkim more prominently on the global spice map and reflects growing trust in India's organic produce supply chain.
For more information:
Shri Piyush Goyal
Ministry of Commerce & Industry India
Tel: +91 23039110
Email: piyush.goyal@gov.in
www.pib.gov.in