How Makhana Became a Global Superfood

There were times when we all treated Makhana as an old and boring snack consumed during the festive season, but times have evolved, and so has our consumption of Makhana.

Today, Makhana, also called Foxnut or Gorgon Nuts, has made strides in the global snack industry, catching the attention of thousands of people. It has emerged from the wetlands of Bihar and taken center stage on international health food shelves.

You will be surprised to know that the government is investing heavily in this industry in India. In the Fiscal Year 2023-2024, India exported close to 25,000 metric tons of Makhanas to other countries like the USA, the UK, Qatar, and others.

Where does Makhana come from?

Since ancient times, Makhana production has been happening in the soil of India, particularly Bihar, particularly in districts like Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Purnia. The production and harvesting of Makhana is very difficult, as only 40% seeds meet the standard quality for exports.

The production happens in stagnant water and requires very less synthetic inputs, making it organic, but it is extensively labour-intensive. Hence, staying unpopular and unappreciated.

Health Benefits of Makhana

• Makhana is popular because of its gluten-free nature, high protein, and low calorie count. The best part about them is that they are grown in an organic setup. So you don’t need to think about consuming pesticides anymore. 
• Makhana is also known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, as per studies from various Indian research institutes. Not just this, with more people becoming health-conscious, Makhana is being enjoyed not just at home, but also in gyms.
• The chairperson and founding member of NDFCI stated that, “With high antioxidant and flavonoid levels, it helps combat inflammation and aging.”

How Indian Government Supported the Makhana Industry

There were multiple steps taken by the government to boost the Makhana industry-

1. 1. GI tag– In the year 2022, the government recognized these Makhanas, especially from the Mithali region. The GI tag not only brought visibility to the product but also empowered farmers by increasing its market value. This made it more competitive in the market
   2. Makhana Board– In the year 2025, while presenting the budget, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman stated that they are planning to set up a Makhana board in India, stationed in Bihar. This will give the government an upper hand in making the production of the Makhana smoother and reliable for the public. It will also provide training support to the farmers

Global Market of Makhana and Exports

India remains the largest exporter of makhana. In the fiscal year 2023–2024, the country exported approximately 25,130 metric tons of makhana. With this number, we can say that the numbers are expected to touch the base of USD 177.7 million by 2025.

This large-scale export effort was supported by 1,123 Indian exporters and connected with 2,969 international buyers. The primary markets include countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, where the demand for healthy, plant-based snacks continues to grow.

Lastly, coming to the export prices of Makhana, they easily vary between ₹650 to ₹1,400 per kilogram depending on quality, size, grade, and market size.

Read More: Top 5 Makhana Importing Countries from India in 2025

The Future of Makhana- Sustainable and Scalable

Makhana’s journey from the ponds of Mithilanchal to the shelves of Whole Foods and Amazon is a shining example of how traditional Indian foods can achieve global recognition.

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