Bitter Gourd / Karela
Momordica charantia — Superfood 'Karela' for global health markets
Bitter Gourd / Karela — Export Quality from India
Bitter Gourd / Karela
Bitter Gourd (Karela) is rapidly gaining traction in European and American health food markets as a 'blood sugar superfood' due to its high charantin content. We export immaculate, dark-green, sharply ridged bitter gourds from India's finest GAP-certified farms, shipping them via air freight to preserve their crisp texture and potent nutritional profile.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grade/Size | Length 10-20cm | Standard export size |
| Moisture | 92-94% | Firmness checked |
| Colour | Dark green to light green | Depending on variety |
| Shelf Life | 5-7 days | Refrigerated (10-12°C) |
| Pesticide MRL | Compliant | Strict adherence, especially for EU |
AVAILABLE FORMS & VARIANTS
Short Dark Bitter Gourd (Karela)
Standard Indian variety, intensely bitter
Long Pale Bitter Gourd
Milder bitterness, popular in SE Asia
Baby Bitter Gourd
Small size, premium gourmet demand
USES & APPLICATIONS
Ethnic & Retail Supply
- Indian/Asian supermarkets
- Health food stores
- Diabetic-friendly grocery
Nutraceutical & Wellness
- Charantin extraction
- Diabetes supplements
- Karela juice (fresh/bottled)
HoReCa & Culinary
- Stuffed karela dishes
- Stir-fries
- Health broths
Processing
- Dehydrated karela flakes/powder
- Pickled bitter gourd
- Snacks (karela chips)
PACKAGING & SHIPPING
Packaging Options
| Pack Type | Sizes Available | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated Cartons | 4kg, 5kg net weight | 500 kg (Air freight) |
| Cold Chain Req. | Maintained at 10-12°C | Chilling injury below 10°C |
| Fumigation/Phyto | Yes | Visual inspection for fruit fly |
Shipping Information
- Air Freight: 3–7 days worldwide
- Sea Freight (FCL): 15–35 days
- Incoterms: FOB, CIF, EXW available
- Port of Loading: Mundra / JNPT / Nhava Sheva
- Documentation: All export documentation included
QUALITY ASSURANCE & DOCUMENTATION
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
NABL-accredited lab testing per batch
Phytosanitary Certificate
Issued by Plant Quarantine, Govt. of India
APEDA Registration
Mandatory agri export certification
FSSAI License
Indian food safety compliance
Fumigation Certificate
ISPM-15 compliant wooden packaging
WHY AETHON OVERSEAS
Three reasons importers in 30+ countries choose us for sourcing from India:
Direct from Source
Direct sourcing from premium growing belts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Maharashtra — eliminating mandi intermediaries and delivering 8–12% lower landed cost than market aggregators.
NABL-Tested Every Lot
Every consignment ships with a Certificate of Analysis from NABL-accredited laboratories, covering moisture, microbiology, pesticide residues, and product-specific quality markers.
End-to-End Logistics
FOB Mundra/JNPT, CIF to any port, EXW Ankleshwar — including phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of Origin, and destination compliance documents (USDA, EU Organic, Halal, Kosher).
Indicative Pricing & MOQ Reference
Live FOB pricing on request — varies with crop season, grade, MOQ, and packaging. Trial samples available before bulk commitment.
| Grade / Form | MOQ | Indicative FOB | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial sample | 500 g | Free + freight at cost | 5–7 days |
| Standard / machine cleaned | 1 MT | USD on request | 2–3 weeks |
| Premium / sortex cleaned | 1 MT | USD on request | 2–3 weeks |
| Bulk container (FCL) | 10–25 MT | Volume discount | 3–4 weeks |
Trusted by Importers Worldwide
Trusted by 100+ importers, distributors, and food manufacturers across 30+ countries.
“Consistent quality across 12 shipments. The COA documentation is the cleanest I’ve seen from an Indian exporter — speeds up our incoming QC.”
— Importer, United Kingdom
“Delivered to spec, on time, with phytosanitary docs ready before sailing. Smooth customs clearance at Jebel Ali — exactly what a busy distributor needs.”
— Distributor, UAE
“Custom packaging request was handled professionally. Pricing is competitive and the team is responsive on WhatsApp — even on weekends.”
— Food Manufacturer, USA
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Bitter Gourd / Karela
Common questions from importers about sourcing, quality, and exporting Bitter Gourd / Karela from India.
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Are Indian Bitter Gourds (Karela) available for export year-round?Yes, Indian Bitter Gourds are available for export throughout the year. The peak harvest periods are from February to May and from August to October. We source our premium green and long varieties from the fertile belts of Maharashtra and Gujarat to ensure consistent quality.
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What quality certifications are required for exporting Bitter Gourd to the EU?For the EU and UK markets, Bitter Gourds must be processed and sampled at APEDA-authorized pack houses. Every consignment undergoes rigorous pesticide Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) testing in NABL-accredited laboratories to ensure 100% compliance with international food safety norms.
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How is Bitter Gourd packed and shipped for international transit?We pack Bitter Gourds in 5kg corrugated fiberboard (CFB) cartons with adequate ventilation. We primarily use air freight for maximum freshness; for regional sea transport, we use refrigerated (reefer) containers maintained at 10-12°C to prevent chilling injury and maintain texture.
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Which are the primary global destinations for Aethon s Bitter Gourd exports?Our primary export markets include the Middle East (UAE, Qatar), the United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia. We specialize in supplying to ethnic retail chains, international vegetable wholesalers, and specialized Asian grocery supermarkets.
Still have questions? Our export team typically responds within 2 hours on WhatsApp — even for complex compliance or documentation queries.
REQUEST A QUOTE OR SAMPLE
Tell us your requirement — product, quantity, destination. We respond within 24 hours.