Exports of major commodities under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) increased by 11% in 2024-25, reaching $27.90 billion.

Ajeet Singh.

India’s agricultural and allied sector exports witnessed a significant increase of 6.47% in the fiscal year 2024-25, reaching $51.91 billion. This growth is particularly noteworthy given that the country’s total merchandise exports remained nearly at the previous year’s level of $437 billion, recording only a marginal increase of 0.1% during the same period. While agricultural exports have surged, they are still below the record high of $53.1 billion achieved in 2022-23. In 2023-24, agricultural exports stood at $48.8 billion.

According to data released by the Union Ministry of Commerce, the total export of Basmati and non-Basmati rice from India has soared to over $12.5 billion, equivalent to more than Rs 1 lakh crore. Basmati rice exports saw an increase of approximately 2%, reaching $5.9 billion (around Rs 50,311 crore), while non-Basmati rice exports surged by an impressive 43%, exceeding $6.5 billion. Rice remains the most exported agricultural product from India, accounting for roughly 24% of the country’s total agricultural exports.

APEDA’s Role and Sectoral Growth

Exports of major commodities under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) increased by 11% in 2024-25, reaching $27.90 billion. Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, informed Rural Voice that organic product exports grew by 35% and dairy product exports saw a substantial 54% increase. He also stated that efforts are underway to achieve the ambitious target of $100 billion in agricultural exports by 2030.

Marine product exports showed a modest increase of 0.52%, reaching $7.4 billion. Spice exports rose by 4.84% to $4.45 billion. Buffalo meat exports recorded an 8.57% increase, surpassing $4 billion. Processed food exports grew by approximately 2% to $1.68 billion.

Tobacco exports witnessed a remarkable 40% increase, reaching $1.47 billion. However, oil meal exports saw a 21% decline, falling to $1.32 billion. Fresh fruit exports increased by about 2% to $1.17 billion, while processed fruits and juice exports grew by roughly 6%, exceeding $1 billion.

India’s tea and coffee exports also saw an uptick. Coffee exports increased by 40%, surpassing $1.8 billion, while tea exports rose by 12% to $924 million. India has benefited from a global decline in coffee production.

Agricultural Imports Also Rise

Along with agricultural exports, the country’s agricultural imports also increased, reaching a record $38.5 billion in 2024-25, up by 17.2%. Over the last decade, the gap between agricultural exports and imports has nearly halved. 

Restrictions on Agri Exports

Export restrictions imposed on several agricultural commodities due to production shortfalls have also impacted agricultural exports. To control prices in the domestic market, the government has maintained a ban on wheat exports, leading to a 96% decline in wheat exports to just $2 million in 2024-25, compared to $2.1 billion in 2021-22.

Similarly, sugar exports declined by 23.5% in 2024-25 to $2.1 billion, down from $5.8 billion in 2022-23. To ensure domestic supply, the government imposed export restrictions on several agricultural products in 2023. The bans on the export of sugar, onions, and non-basmati rice were later lifted.

Cotton Exports Face Major Setback

A decline in domestic cotton production has dealt a significant blow to cotton exports. India’s cotton exports plummeted by 27% to approximately $809 million, a sharp fall from $4.3 billion in 2011-12. Currently, India is a net importer of cotton.

US and UAE Top Agri Export Destinations

The United States leads the list of countries to which India’s agricultural exports are highest, with $5.8 billion in 2024-25. It is followed by the UAE ($3.4 billion), China ($3.2 billion), Bangladesh ($2.4 billion), and Saudi Arabia ($2.3 billion). Vietnam, Iraq, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, and the Netherlands are also among India’s key agricultural export destinations.

Published Date: May 27, 2025