Farm & processed foods exports rise 9% to $8 billion in April-July
By Sandip Das
India’s exports of agricultural and processed food products have continued at a brisk pace in the current fiscal year, with shipments rising by 9% on year to $7.99 billion in April-July 2025.
The rise in shipments was driven primarily by a sharp increase in exports of rice, buffalo meat, fruits and vegetables.
Rice Shipments Remain Strong Despite Export Concerns
Rice exports, including basmati and non-basmati varieties, rose by over 5.2% on year to $ 3.8 billion during the April-July period. In FY25, rice exports were at a record $ 12.47 billion, an increase of over 20% compared to 2023-24.
However there has been a fear amongst basmati rice exporters on the shipment prospects to the high value market like the US, once the new higher tariff regime comes into effect.
Meanwhile, with Bangladesh commencing rice imports to boost domestic buffer, India’s exports pf the grain during the current fiscal year are likely to be higher than in FY25.
“There is strong demand for Indian rice globally, and exports are expected to rise in the coming months as low stock levels in competing countries like Myanmar and Pakistan have shifted global buyers interest towards India,” Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice president, the Basmati Rice Millers and Exporters Association, Punjab, told FE.
India has been the largest exporter of rice for a decade now and currently has a share of over 40% in the global grain trade.
The government started easing restrictions on rice exports in September 2024 on prospects of bumper output and significantly higher stocks, around a year after they were imposed. It has since removed all export restrictions, including the minimum export price, on rice shipments.
Buffalo Meat and Produce Exports See Double-Digit Growth
According to data provided by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, the shipment of buffalo meat, dairy and poultry products in the first four months of FY26, increased sharply by over 22% to $1.67 billion, and fruits and vegetables by 11% to $1.24 billion respectively.
Officials said that in the past decade, there has been a rise in demand for the Indian bovine meat across the globe due to its quality and nutrient value.
India has emerged as the second biggest exporter of buffalo meat and the export destinations are Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) coordinates buffalo meat exports through approved integrated meat plants and these plants are inspected by importing countries.
Exports of products under APEDA basket rose to $25.14 billion during the 2024-25, an increase of over 12% compared to FY24.
The share of exports of products under the APEDA basket is around 51% in the total shipments of agricultural produce. The rest of the agricultural product exports include marine, tobacco, coffee, and tea.
Officials said that there has been rising demand for several agricultural products such as bananas, mangoes, processed fruits and juices, fruits and vegetables seeds and processed vegetables across the world.
This article has been republished from The Financial Express.