Drumsticks

India has emerged as a significant exporter of drumsticks (the pods of the Moringa oleifera tree), serving markets that value their nutritional benefits and culinary uses. Indian exporters shipped thousands of drumstick consignments internationally between October 2023 and September 2024, with major importing countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Maldives, Singapore, and others in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region. Many exporters in India focus on supplying fresh, high-quality drumsticks that meet global standards, using codes like HS 0709.99 for customs classifications.

The strength of India’s drumstick exports lies in its diverse cultivation and quality production. States such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat are key production hubs, growing popular varieties like PKM-1 and PKM-2 that fetch good prices in export markets due to their colour, texture, and shelf life. Producers often follow rigorous quality checks, grading, and packaging processes — including pre-cooling and specialized packing — to preserve freshness for overseas buyers.

Exporting drumsticks also brings economic opportunities for Indian farmers and exporters. Increased global demand for nutritious vegetables and moringa products has encouraged growers to expand cultivation, while exporters negotiate shipments to buyers in the Gulf region, Europe, and beyond. Recent milestones, such as Odisha’s first fresh drumstick export consignment to Dubai, underscore the growing international acceptance of Indian agricultural produce.