In recent times, exports in the agriculture sector in India have shown remarkable growth.
Exporting agricultural products is a big opportunity, but you should know important things before shipping the products.
The shipping of agricultural products needs detailed planning and strategic approach.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top things to keep in mind before export of agricultural products in the international market.
1. Inspection and quality control
Conducting the inspections can identify issues which helps to meet the expectations of customers and reduces the risk of rejections and financial losses.
The shipping of agricultural products involves rigorous quality control measures at each stage such as from harvesting to packaging.
2. Temperature control during shipping agriculture products
Agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and specific grains are susceptible to variations in temperature.
It’s crucial to invest in refrigerated containers, trucks, or warehouses to make sure that the recommended storage conditions are maintained throughout the process.
3. Quality assurance in agriculture trade
When an importer and an exporter make a deal to export agricultural products, they usually decide on certain quality standards.
For example, Exporting the rice, following standards you should know:
- Quality Standards: Set standards for rice quality, including moisture content, grain size, and absence of contaminants.
- Chemical Details: Ensuring food safety by following pesticides regulations.
- Hands-on Inspection : If the pesticide inspection fails, then physical inspection is necessary to assess the cultivation and storage practices.
. So it’s important to check if they meet those standards.
4. Fumigation of shipping containers
Insects in agricultural products can destroy them. Before you send out any batch of agricultural products, make sure to fumigate the container with the fumigation gel to get rid of the insects.
After sealing the container, allow the gel to sit for a maximum of 3 days. If bugs are found in the product at the delivery port, you may be held responsible for covering all associated costs, and the customs department might have to destroy the entire shipment.
5. Proper packaging
Maintaining quality during shipping is crucial for agricultural products. Successful export depends on effective packaging.
Different agricultural products require different packaging standards. Some products need jute packaging, while others require to be packed in cans, mesh bags or ppe bags.
Also, make sure to follow the rules for packing things properly. It’s important to know the packaging standards of different commodities.
For efficient customs clearance, proper labelling you should include things such as:
- Product details
- Expiration dates
- Handling instructions
6. Choosing the right shipment method
The success of export of agricultural products is influenced by the right shipment method.
Factors such as the type of product, distance, and required delivery timeframe should be considered when selecting between air, sea, or land transport.
Air freight delivers quickly, but it can be costlier, whereas sea freight is economical but takes longer. Achieving the balance between these factors is crucial for cost effectiveness and meeting expectations.
7. Documentation
Accurate and complete export documentation is a fundamental aspect of international shipping.
The common documents include :
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Fumigation certificate
- Inspection certificate
- Veterinary certificate.
For a smooth shipping process, the verification and accuracy of these documents are crucial, as is ensuring they comply with the regulations of both the exporting and importing countries.
8. Protection of agricultural goods
When you ship containers of farm products, it’s important to protect them. For this, you should cover the floo rs and walls of the container with special carton paper so that your goods won’t touch the metal inside
You can also hang the dry bags on the walls. These bags help to control the moisture in the container.
In general you can use at least 10 dry bags for a smaller 20 ft container and 15 dry bags for a bigger 40 ft container. It’s like giving your goods their own protective gear!
9. Rules and regulations for shipping
Shipping agriculture products involves different regulations and compliance standards. Before the shipping process starts, it is crucial to research and understand the regulations of the origin and destination countries.
This includes requirements for documentation, standards for labelling, and any restrictions imposed on specific products.
10. Customs clearance and import duties
The customs clearance process is a significant part of international shipping.
Specific import duties, taxes, and fees applicable to agricultural products in the destination country are essential for budgeting and compliance.
Experienced customs brokers can simplify the customs clearance process and help businesses avoid unnecessary delays or penalties.
11. Insurance
To deal with unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, accidents, theft, etc., comprehensive insurance coverage is essential to protect against financial losses.
You should select the appropriate cargo insurance options based on the nature of your agricultural products and the shipping route.
12. Building relationships
For a successful agriculture product shipping operation, collaboration with shipping carriers, logistics providers, and distributors is very important.
Building strong relationships with partners enhances transparency, communication, and efficient problem resolution.
It should be remembered that rigorous study, cautious planning, and constant adaptability are all necessary for exporting agricultural products. Reach out to us at contact@expora.in for all your agricultural exports and imports requirements.
