About Okra
Okra (bhindi) is one of India's favourite vegetables and an important fresh export to the UK, Europe and the Gulf. India is the world's largest producer.
Where Okra Is Grown in Andhra Pradesh
The main okra districts of Andhra Pradesh are Guntur, Krishna, Visakhapatnam. Andhra Pradesh is one of India's richest farm states, with the Godavari and Krishna deltas growing rice, the dry Rayalaseema districts growing groundnut, banana, mango and tomato, and Guntur leading India's chilli and tobacco trade. It is a top producer of fruits, chilli, aquaculture and Virginia tobacco.
Season in Andhra Pradesh
Summer (Feb–Mar sowing) and kharif (Jun–Jul). Exact arrival dates in Andhra Pradesh depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Okra Is Sold in Andhra Pradesh
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Rythu Bazaars let farmers sell vegetables directly to consumers in towns.
Other major markets in Andhra Pradesh
- Guntur Mirchi YardDry chilliAboutExplore
- Kurnool and Adoni APMCsOnion, groundnut, cottonAboutExplore
- Madanapalle Tomato MarketTomatoAboutExplore
- Vijayawada marketsUrad, rice, fruitsAboutExplore
- AnantapurBanana, groundnutAboutExplore
State Agencies in Andhra Pradesh
Okra has no minimum support price, so it is bought almost entirely by private traders, processors and exporters. State marketing bodies regulate the markets and support farmer producer organisations.
- AP State Civil Supplies CorporationPaddy procurementAboutExplore
- APMARKFEDState cooperative marketing federationAboutExplore
- Tobacco BoardGuntur · FCV tobacco auctionsAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Okra is cooked fresh in every Indian region, and is also frozen, dried and pickled by processors. Exporters pack tender pods in cartons and send them by air to the UK, the Netherlands and the Gulf, and by reefer container to nearby markets.
Export okra must be 7–10 cm long, straight, tender (the tip should snap), dark green and free from borer holes. Domestic buyers are less strict but still prefer young pods. Picking every two or three days is essential, because pods become fibrous quickly.
Okra is cheap in summer and the early monsoon when supply is heavy, and dearer in winter. Virus outbreaks and heavy rain in key growing districts can cause short spikes.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export okra across India, including from Andhra Pradesh. Tap a name for details.
- KB Exports Pvt LtdMumbai · fresh fruit and vegetable exporter (KayBee)AboutExplore
- Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company LtdNashik · farmer-owned FPO; fruits and vegetablesAboutExplore
- Ninjacart (63 Ideas Infolabs Pvt Ltd)Bengaluru · B2B fresh produceAboutExplore
- BigBasket (Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt Ltd)Online groceryAboutExplore
- APEDAExport promotion, residue monitoring and registrationAboutExplore
- Namdhari Seeds Pvt LtdBengaluru · vegetable seedsAboutExplore
- East-West Seed India Pvt LtdAurangabad / Bengaluru · vegetable seedsAboutExplore
- VNR Seeds Pvt LtdRaipur · vegetable seedsAboutExplore
- Syngenta India Pvt LtdVegetable seedsAboutExplore
- Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Pvt Ltd)Jalna · vegetable hybridsAboutExplore
- Indo-American Hybrid Seeds (India) Pvt LtdBengaluru · vegetable and flower seedsAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Andhra Pradesh
New varieties, crop advice and seed for okra growers in Andhra Pradesh come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural UniversityGunturAboutExplore
- Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural UniversityVenkataramannagudemAboutExplore
Okra in Other States
Gujarat · West Bengal · Bihar · Madhya Pradesh · Odisha · Jharkhand · Maharashtra
Related: Okra – all India · Andhra Pradesh · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer