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 Maharashtra
The main okra districts of Maharashtra are Nashik, Pune, Satara. Maharashtra is India's leading producer of onion, grapes, pomegranate, banana (with Gujarat and Andhra), tur, soybean, cotton and sugarcane, and of Alphonso mango and Nagpur orange. Its mandis at Lasalgaon, Latur, Sangli, Solapur and Vashi are among the best known in India.
Season in Maharashtra
Summer (Feb–Mar sowing) and kharif (Jun–Jul). Exact arrival dates in Maharashtra depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Okra Is Sold in Maharashtra
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. Maharashtra has been a leader in FPO-led marketing and in allowing direct sales outside APMC yards for fruits and vegetables.
Key markets for Okra in Maharashtra
Other major markets in Maharashtra
- Lasalgaon and PimpalgaonOnion, tomato, grapesAboutExplore
- LaturTur, soybeanAboutExplore
- SangliTurmeric, raisinsAboutExplore
- SolapurOnion, pomegranate, jowarAboutExplore
- Kalamna, NagpurOrangeAboutExplore
- JalgaonBanana, cottonAboutExplore
State Agencies in Maharashtra
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.
- Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB)Regulated markets, export facilitiesAboutExplore
- MahaFPC (Maharashtra Farmer Producer Companies)FPO procurement and marketingAboutExplore
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 Maharashtra. 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 Maharashtra
New varieties, crop advice and seed for okra growers in Maharashtra come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Mahatma Phule Krishi VidyapeethRahuriAboutExplore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi VidyapeethAkolaAboutExplore
- Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi VidyapeethParbhaniAboutExplore
- Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi VidyapeethDapoliAboutExplore
Okra in Other States
Gujarat · West Bengal · Bihar · Madhya Pradesh · Odisha · Jharkhand · Andhra Pradesh
Related: Okra – all India · Maharashtra · 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