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 West Bengal
The main okra districts of West Bengal are Hooghly, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad. West Bengal is among India's largest rice producers and its biggest grower of jute and vegetables. It is also a major producer of potato, mustard, masoor, sesame, tuberose, marigold, Malda mangoes, litchi and Darjeeling tea.
Season in West Bengal
Summer (Feb–Mar sowing) and kharif (Jun–Jul). Exact arrival dates in West Bengal depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Okra Is Sold in West Bengal
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. Paddy is bought through the state's procurement centres and cooperative societies.
Key markets for Okra in West Bengal
Other major markets in West Bengal
- Mullick Ghat, KolkataFlowersAboutExplore
- Posta Bazar, KolkataPulses, grainsAboutExplore
- Hooghly (Tarakeswar, Singur)PotatoAboutExplore
- MaldaMangoAboutExplore
State Agencies in West Bengal
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.
- West Bengal State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
- West Bengal Food and Supplies DepartmentPaddy procurementAboutExplore
- Jute Corporation of IndiaKolkata · raw jute buyingAboutExplore
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 West Bengal. 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 West Bengal
New varieties, crop advice and seed for okra growers in West Bengal come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Bidhan Chandra Krishi ViswavidyalayaMohanpur, NadiaAboutExplore
- Uttar Banga Krishi ViswavidyalayaCooch BeharAboutExplore
Okra in Other States
Gujarat · Bihar · Madhya Pradesh · Odisha · Jharkhand · Andhra Pradesh · Maharashtra
Related: Okra – all India · West Bengal · 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