BackECONOMY
Ferozepur chillies mark Punjab's first overseas export to Dubai
Punjab's border district Ferozepur exported its first consignment of green chillies to Dubai, marking Punjab's first overseas shipment of the crop. The shipment reflects a shift from wheat-paddy to export-oriented chilli farming, supported by institutional linkages and farmer innovations, with cultivation area rising significantly since 2017 and production surpassing 20,000 tonnes annually.
Why It Matters
Demonstrates agricultural diversification in Punjab and shows how coordinated policy, training, and market linkages can unlock new export opportunities for farmers, boosting income and employment.
Timeline
3 Events
Ferozepur exports first consignment of green chillies to Dubai (15 metric tonnes)
April 23, 2026
Punjab's border district Ferozepur exported its first consignment of green chillies, amounting to 15 metric tonnes, to Dubai, marking Punjab’s first overseas shipment of the crop.
Area under chilli cultivation reaches nearly 12,000 acres in 2024-25
2024
The district's chilli cultivation area expanded to nearly 12,000 acres in 2024-25, with production now exceeding 20,000 tonnes annually.
Chilli cultivation area in Ferozepur expands from about 2,000 acres in 2017
2017
According to district officials, the area under chilli cultivation in Ferozepur was around 2,000 acres in 2017.