It may sound surprising, but lemons from Odisha’s Angul district have made their way to the United States. Nearly one lakh lemons have been exported to the US in three phases this month. The demand for Angul lemons is rising in international markets, particularly in the US and the UK. This month alone, three consignments carrying around one lakh lemons were dispatched to the US from Ogi village under Chhendipada block.
Apart from whole lemons, value-added products such as juices, pickles, and squashes are also being prepared for wider markets. Farmers say the initiative has brought them much-needed relief and motivation to continue lemon cultivation on a larger scale. According to ORMAS officials, the first shipment of 26,000 lemons was sent on August 7. Earlier, farmers struggled to get fair prices, often selling 100 lemons to traders for just Rs 20–30.
Presentation – Dibyabharati Nayak