# Bihar’s GI-tagged makhana exported to Australia for first time via sea route 2026-08-08T07:40:12+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Bihar's Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Mithila Makhana has been exported by sea to Australia for the first time in an 18-metric-tonne consignment, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced on August 8, 2026. The shipment was procured directly from farmers in Darbhanga, fetching them nearly 18 per cent higher returns than the prevailing market price, according to the Union minister. The consignment was flagged off by Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha from the Integrated Unit of Irradiation Cum Packhouse at Bihta, Patna. The export was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The Bihar Agriculture Department described the milestone as a step towards transitioning from 'Production to Export'. Officials said modern facilities for irradiation, quality testing, and packaging helped meet global standards. APEDA has been working with state governments and farmer producer organisations to boost market access for agricultural products, with hopes that the makhana model can open new export avenues for other Bihar crops. ## Coverage - ndtvprofit.com - thehindubusinessline.com Tags: Bihar farmers, export earnings, fox nut, GI tag, Mithila Makhana Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gi-tagged-mithila-makhana-lifts-bihar-farmer-earnings-18/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gi-tagged-mithila-makhana-lifts-bihar-farmer-earnings-18/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.