Kalaburagi Roti Launches Experimental Exports to U.S., Australia, Canada

Karnataka's Kalaburagi Roti has entered international markets through experimental exports to the United States, Australia, and Canada, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge announced on May 8. The initiative, launched a year after pilot efforts began, marks the first successful clearance of a local Indian food product through complex export regulations, with sales now live on Amazon, the official Kalaburagi Roti website, and through franchise and local outlets.

More than 100 self-help groups involving over 1,000 women are directly engaged in production, earning ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 monthly, with additional income from event orders. The roti sells locally for ₹10–12 but is priced at ₹25–30 in international markets. Pune-based Ashtham Traders is facilitating the export, with plans to ship around one lakh rotis annually in the initial phase.

An air-tight packaging unit is under development at the District Agriculture Training Centre in Kotnoor, funded with ₹55 lakh in CSR money and ₹32 lakh under the DMF scheme, to meet export quality standards and extend shelf life. Officials estimate monthly exports will range between 10,000 and 25,000 rotis.

The Roti Producers Association has welcomed the export push, citing support from Ashtham Traders and the district administration. The state government will monitor export performance and scale up production capacity based on initial market response.