The Tamil Nadu Food Processing and Agri Export Corporation (TNAPEx) is set to launch food quality testing laboratory in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) with an investment of US $861K (INR 76 million). The facility will help exporters comply with global food safety and quality standards, opening access to new markets. The Trichy airport handles nearly 600 tonnes of international freight every month, the majority of it being perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and flowers.
The absence of local testing and certification has limited market access, as the exporters face obstacles in Europe and other high standard markets. The new lab will provide farmers in Tamil Nadu easier and more affordable access to mandatory quality checks. The facility will be equipped with integrated packing houses and processing units, covering a wide range of food categories, from raw agricultural produce to ready-to-eat items. The lab will also offer testing for nutritional values, pesticide residues, and heavy metals, aligning with international standards.
Trichy Food Lab to Make Exports Faster and Cheaper
Presently, exporters must depend on the facilities of Chennai or Hosur for Maximum Residue Level (MRL) certification, often routing shipments through Bengaluru, which raises costs and diverts revenue away from Trichy. With the new lab in place, the export process will be faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
“Freight charge and GST revenue will not go to the local airport and state govt if we opt for Bengaluru. The testing lab in Trichy will simplify the process, and indirectly help get dedicated cargo flights,” said G Sathish Kumar, Secretary of the Export Import Federation Trichy (EIFT), as he told TOI.
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Industry experts say the lab will not only reduce export barriers but also encourage product diversification, benefiting crops like mangoes, pomegranates, and vegetables, as well as nuts, pulses, grains, poultry, seafood, and snacks. The development also bolsters the case for dedicated cargo flights once Trichy airport’s expanded runway becomes operational.
S Ayyappan, a local exporter from Vayalur Road, told TOI that “strict import procedures of European countries mandate MRL certificates, and having a local testing facility will significantly ease compliance and reduce delays.”
Strengthening Food Export Process
The new food quality testing lab in Trichy comes at a time when the Indian government is developing a unified national registry for laboratories to streamline export testing and certification. The registry aims to reduce transaction costs and minimize delays in cargo clearance through facilitation of online application submissions, real time tracking, and electronic upload of test reports.
The introduction of new regulatory mechanism combined with the local testing facility, is expected to make the export process more efficient, helping regional farmers and exporters comply with international standards without routing shipments through distant cities like Bengaluru. According to government data, India’s services exports are projected to reach $900 billion in the current financial year, up from $824.9 billion in 2024‑25, highlighting the growing importance of streamlined export processes and compliance with international standards.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has announced plans to set up 100 new NABL accredited food testing laboratories across India. This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), aims to enhance food safety, support exports, and improve overall food quality. The laboratories will assist farmers and producers in sectors such as citrus fruits, green peas, cauliflower, carrots, milk products, basmati rice, wheat, millets, oilseeds, and farm-produced shrimp to meet global standards and regulatory requirements.
Earlier this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) suspended four laboratories for six months for regulatory non compliance, highlighting the importance of accessible, accredited testing facilities such as the new lab in Trichy.
