The Tripura government will host a three-day international exhibition in Delhi from June 27 to 29, 2026, to celebrate International Pineapple Day and promote its world-renowned Queen Pineapple. The event aims to spotlight the fruit's Geographical Indication (GI) tag, agricultural significance, and cultural identity.
Expansion Plans and Value Addition
Recently, Tripura announced plans to expand Queen pineapple cultivation from 12,000 hectares to 15,000 hectares over the next three years. The state also intends to set up two bromelain extraction centres to enhance value addition and boost farmers' incomes. The Queen Pineapple received the GI tag and was declared the state fruit of Tripura in 2018, known for its distinctive sweetness and flavor.
Currently, Tripura cultivates Queen and Kew varieties across more than 12,000 hectares, with an annual production of approximately 1.78 lakh metric tonnes. To strengthen the pineapple value chain, the state government has undertaken a Rs 234-crore project with support from the central government and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). This project focuses on marketing, processing, and value-addition initiatives.
Exhibition Details and Dignitaries
The three-day festival will feature 25 exhibition stalls and honor five Queen pineapple farmers for their contributions. Senior dignitaries expected to attend include Union Minister for DoNER Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Chouhan, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and Tripura MP Rajib Bhattacharjee.
Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath stated, "Tripura's Queen Pineapple has always been special and our farmers have known this for generations. What we are doing now is simply making sure the rest of the world knows it too. This festival is our way of building real, lasting connections between our farmers and the global market." He added, "When a farmer from Tripura sees his produce being appreciated by a buyer from another country, that is the moment we are working towards. Under the guidance of our Chief Minister and Prime Minister Modi's vision of Vocal for Local, we are taking this step with full confidence."
Value-Added Products and Economic Impact
The state government is investing in pineapple-based value-added products including jam, candy, dehydrated rings, juice, squash, vinegar, chutney, sauces, and cream-based products. Women Self Help Groups in tribal areas will be trained to lead this segment, which has the potential to generate annual revenues of Rs 45 crore to Rs 55 crore.
Additionally, fibre extracted from pineapple leaves has found demand in luxury fashion, home décor, and sustainable packaging globally, valued for its durability and natural sheen. Raw pineapple fibre currently fetches Rs 80 to Rs 120 per kilogram, with processed fibre commanding Rs 200 to Rs 400 per kilogram. This segment alone is estimated to generate Rs 40 crore to Rs 60 crore annually within the next three years.
Market Access and Farmer Benefits
The initiative is expected to enhance Tripura's presence in international markets, create new opportunities for farmers, and further strengthen the state's agricultural economy. By connecting farmers directly with global buyers, the exhibition aims to build lasting trade relationships and improve livelihoods.
