Role of cooperatives in export promotion of high value crops: A case of pomegranate marketing in Maharashtra

The results revealed that volume of exports of pomegranates increased by 7.58 times in 2012?13 as compared to 2001?02. However, it was noticed that higher prices are being realized in U.K, Netherlands and Russia where quantity exported was only 1.4, 3.2 and 2.6 percent respectively. In countries such as UAE where 52.6 percent of the fruit was exported, the prices were much lower as compared to western markets. India can reap the benefits of higher price by increasing the volume of exports to western markets. There are also many untapped markets such as USA, South America, China, Japan, etc. where India can export this fruit at favorable prices. The agro-climatic conditions in Maharashtra are so conducive to produce this fruit throughout the year and compete with Spain and Iran whose supply of this fruit is limited to seven months only. Cooperatives such as Maha anar by providing appropriate extension services, can help the farmer-members to take advantage of better prices in the international markets.