Israel has allowed India market access for a lesser-known agricultural product - okra (bhindi or lady’s finger) seeds, with a permit system. India’s total export of okra, including in seeds form, was 6,504 tonnes worth $6.44 million (or ₹54.85 crore) in 2024-25, with Germany as the top buyer.
In a notice on its website, India’s agri export promotion body Apeda said a communication has been received from NPPO, Isreal, conveying the market access for export of Indian okra seeds (Abelmoshus esculentus).
“The exports of okra seeds to Israel are subject to the condition that a phytosanitary certificate should be endorsed with an additional declaration,” said Apeda General Manager Vinita Sudhanshu.
Import permit too
The declaration should be: “The seeds were officially tested and found free from Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum and Okra enation leaf curl virus.”
She has also asked interested exporters to avail the opportunity and comply with the requirement for export of okra seeds from India to Israel.
Besides, NPPO Israel has also stipulated its own importers to obtain “import permit” from it if they wish to import okra seeds from India.
During April-January of FY26, India exported 4,841.08 tonnes of okra worth $ 4.47 million ( ₹39.17 crore). Apart from Germany, other leading buyers of Indian Bhindi are Nepal, UAE, UK, Bhutan Kuwait, Qatar and Singapore.
Published on April 9, 2026