What It Is
Makhana, harvested from ponds in Bihar's Mithila region, is popped into a light, crunchy snack that has become a national health-food favourite.
How It Is Made
Seeds are gathered from pond beds, washed, sun-dried, roasted and popped by hand or machine, then graded by size and flavoured or packed plain.
Uses and Buyers
Households, snack brands, sweet makers and export buyers.
Quality and Standards
Graded by size ("lawa" grades), whiteness and moisture. Mithila Makhana holds a GI tag.
Trade and Exports
Darbhanga and Purnea are trading hubs; a Makhana Board for Bihar was announced in 2025.
Where the Raw Material Comes From
Processors buy dry fruits from the main growing states below. Plants are usually built close to these belts, or close to ports for imported raw material, to keep freight low and quality fresh. Tap a state for its districts, markets, season and buyers.
| State | Main districts |
|---|---|
| Jammu Kashmir | Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Doda |
| Bihar | Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa |
| Maharashtra | Sangli (Tasgaon), Nashik, Solapur |
| Gujarat | Kutch |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kinnaur, Chamba, Kullu |
Makers, Processors and Bodies
- Farmley (Connedit Business Solutions Pvt Ltd)Makhana snacksAboutExplore
- Happilo International Pvt LtdMakhana snacksAboutExplore
Related: Dry Fruits · All products · 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