Why India: authentic cane-sugar craft (jaggery), a fast-modernising honey ecosystem, and growing stevia processing—so you can build clean-label sweetener ranges with credible origin stories and strong compliance.

Market proof (numbers buyers trust)

• Honey exports: India exported 107,963 MT of natural honey worth US$177.52M in FY 2023–24. A government Minimum Export Price (MEP) of US$2,000/MT now applies to natural honey until 31 Dec 2025—useful for planning price bands.
  
• Who makes the honey: top producing states include Uttar Pradesh (17%), West Bengal (16%), Punjab (14%), Bihar (12%), Rajasthan (9%); India runs an active National Beekeeping & Honey Mission.
  
• Jaggery & confectionery exports: India shipped ₹3,570.77 crore (≈US$431M) in FY 2023–24; APEDA’s running FY data shows continued momentum in 2025–26.
  

Signature clusters you can name on-page

• Muzaffarnagar (UP): India’s largest jaggery market (“gur” mandi); ~20% of India’s jaggery output trades here.
  
• Kolhapur (MH): GI-tagged “Kolhapur Jaggery”—light colour, distinct aroma; a premium line for origin-labeled packs.
  
• Honey belts: North Indian plains and Himalayan foothills; Kochi is a long-standing export/logistics node for spice-adjacent honey trade.
  

What we can build for you (illustrative)

• Jaggery (gur): blocks, balls, powder, cubes; origin-labeled (Muzaffarnagar/Kolhapur).
  
• Table honey: mono-floral (e.g., mustard, lychee, eucalyptus, acacia), multi-floral, Himalayan lines.
  
• Stevia products: table-top sweeteners (sticks/jars), blends (stevia + erythritol/maltitol as allowed), and reduced-sugar formulations in permitted food categories.
  

Compliance & safety (we bake it in)

• Honey—adulteration & antibiotics: We source to Indian standards that include SMR/TMR tests for rice-syrup adulteration; FSSAI reinstated SMR as a required method in 2020. For the EU, we align to zero-tolerance for antibiotic residues (e.g., chloramphenicol/nitrofurans) and maintain traceability per EU law.
  
• Honey—composition: We use Codex Honey Standard (CXS 12-1981) parameters (moisture, HMF, diastase, sugars) as the global baseline and attach lab reports with each lot.
  
• Stevia (steviol glycosides, INS 960): Permitted across many food categories under FSSAI additive rules; ADI = 0–4 mg/kg bw (as steviol) per JECFA/EFSA. We keep usage within Indian & destination caps and label correctly. (Note: not permitted in some categories such as cocoa/chocolate—FSSAI clarified in 2023; we reformulate when needed.)
  
• Label rules (retail): India—FSSAI Labelling & Display, 2020; EU—Reg. 1169/2011; US—21 CFR 101. We supply red-lined artwork and country-specific panels.
  

IndiaUnbox advantage — how we turn origin into export-ready programs

1. Origin mapping & vendor shortlist
   – Jaggery: audited mills in Muzaffarnagar/Kolhapur; GI/mandi documents where used.
   – Honey: processors aligned to NBHM/APEDA with in-house or accredited labs for SMR/TMR, isotope (C-4) and antibiotic screens.
   – Stevia: FSSAI-compliant formulators; we confirm additive category permissions before recipe lock.
   
2. Lab plan & documentation
   Honey: Codex parameters + NMR/SMR/TMR where required, antibiotic residues, pollen profile (on request).
   Jaggery: moisture/ash/reducing sugars/colour; sulphur-free claims validated.
   Stevia: assay (as steviol equivalents), heavy metals, microbiology; usage-level verification vs. ADI.
   
3. Regulatory artwork & claims
   GI mentions (where applicable), sweetener declaration (e.g., “contains sweetener (steviol glycosides)”), allergen/all-natural claims checked to jurisdiction rules.
   
4. Packaging engineered for shelf-life
   – Honey: glass/PET squeeze with induction seals; HMF controls through heat handling; tamper-evident bands.
   – Jaggery: anti-caking liners, de-humidified packing, nitrogen flush for powders.
   – Stevia: high-barrier sachets/jars; moisture control via desiccants.
   
5. Price & risk management
   We factor India’s honey MEP (US$2,000/MT) into price ladders; for jaggery, we time buys to crushing seasons; for stevia, we watch additive/label updates.
   

Quality you can measure (typical specs)

• Honey: moisture ≤20%; HMF within Codex limits; diastase number to spec; SMR/TMR negative; antibiotic residues ND to EU/US limits.
  
• Jaggery: moisture %, ash %, reducing sugars %, sulphur dioxide ND for sulphur-free lines.
  
• Stevia: ≥95% total steviol glycosides (or as contracted), lead/cadmium/arsenic within FSSAI/destination limits; usage within ADI.
  

Typical MOQs & lead times (guide)

• Honey (retail packs): 3,000–10,000 units/SKU • 40–60 days post approval
  
• Jaggery blocks/powder: 3–15 MT or 3,000–10,000 packs/SKU • 35–55 days
  
• Stevia table-top / blends: 5,000–20,000 packs/SKU • 35–55 days
  

Suggested stat badges for the webpage

• Honey exports: US$177.5M | 107,963 MT (FY 2023–24).
  
• Honey policy: MEP = US$2,000/MT valid to 31 Dec 2025.
  
• Jaggery & confectionery exports: ₹3,570.77 crore (FY 2023–24).
  
• Stevia safety: ADI 0–4 mg/kg bw (as steviol)—JECFA/EFSA benchmark.
  
• Origin badges: Muzaffarnagar = largest jaggery market • Kolhapur Jaggery = GI-tagged.

Bottom line: India’s sweetener ecosystem—authentic jaggery, clean honey, and stevia know-how—is export-ready. IndiaUnbox plugs you into the right clusters and certified plants, locks testing + labels, and delivers on-brand, shelf-ready packs at the right landed cost.