APEDA Advisory: New Traceability Norms for Horticulture Exports 2024

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has intensified its focus on digital traceability to meet the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards of global importers. The implementation of systems like GrapeNet, MeatNet, and TraceNet is no longer optional for those targeting premium markets in Europe and the Middle East. as per APEDA guidelines, every stage of the supply chain—from the registered farm to the packhouse and the loading port—must be documented within the integrated traceability software. Failure to maintain these records often results in the denial of Phytosanitary Certificates, which are mandatory for agricultural exports. This systemic approach is designed to provide 'farm-to-fork' transparency, ensuring that pesticide residue levels stay within the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). ## Key points for exporters - **Farmer Registration**: Ensure all contributing farmers are registered on the APEDA portal with updated land records. - **Lab Testing**: Only APEDA-recognized laboratories should be used for pre-export testing to ensure data is automatically synced with traceability modules. - **Phytosanitary Compliance**: Real-time tracking through TraceNet is essential for obtaining the Certificate of Inspection for organic products. Adapting to these digital traceability norms is crucial for any horticulture exporter looking to scale in 2024.