Kolkata: Shorter shelf life was the main impediment to the export of some popular GI-tag products from Bengal, a top APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) official has said. He spoke to TOI after GI Connect 2026, organised by the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Association (CWBTA) along with APEDA.He said GI products from Bengal like Darjeeling Mandarin, Bardhaman’s Sitabhog, Bardhaman’s Mihidana, rasogolla, Baruipur Guava and Joynagorer Moa were being exported to the Middle East, but the quantity was less and some products were seasonal as well. The popular GI export items from Bengal include Darjeeling Tea and gobindobhog.According to him, the general shelf life of products such as moa, mihidana and rasogolla was not more than 7-8 days. “So, in case of export, the time for marketing is less. We need to work on shelf life,” he added.The joint director and branch head of Indian Institute of Packaging, Bidhan Das, said shelf life to a great extent depended on packaging. “We earlier worked on products such as Joynagorer Moa, mihidana, nalen gur, along with others. We need to work more on this,” he added.The president of Bengal Rice Mill Association, Manish Khandelwal, felt that GI products should get seamless clearance for export.
