India’s agricultural and processed food product exports rise 15% in April-October

Overall exports of products covered by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) increased from $10.16 billion in April-October 2020 to $11.65 billion in April-October 2021., as per quick estimates released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S).

Overall export of APEDA products witnessed 14.7 per cent growth in dollar terms during April-October 2021 over the same period of the previous fiscal.

This rise in exports has been achieved notwithstanding SARS CoV 2 pandemic restrictions. The significant rise in agri-exports is seen as a testimony of the government’s resolve to increase farmers’ income through giving thrust on boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products of the country.

The significant jump in exports of agricultural and processed food products during the first seven months of the current fiscal is in continuation of growth in exports witnessed in the financial year 2020-21.

Export of rice , increased to $5,28 billion in April-October 2021 from $4.78 billion in April-October 2020, showing a significant growth of 10.5 per cent.

Exports of fresh fruits and vegetables rose to $1.5 billion in April-October 2021-22 from $1.37 billion in the comparable period of the previous fiscal, recording a growth of 11.6 per cent, while shipment of processed food products like cereals preparations and miscellaneous processed items recorded a growth of 29 per cent. 

India reported a significant 85.4 per cent jump in export of other cereals while the export of meat, dairy and poultry products witnessed an increase 15.6 per cent in the first seven months of the current fiscal.

Export of other cereals increased from $274.98 million in April-October 2020 to $509.77 million in April-October 2021 while the export of meat, dairy and poultry products increased from $1.98 billion in April-October 2020 to $2.29 billion in April-October 2021.

Cashew exports rose to $265.27 million in April-October 2021-22 from $205.29 million in April-October 2020, showing a growth of 29.2 per cent.

APEDA, which functions under the ministry of commerce, has taken up various promotional activities to help the country achieve this milestone at a time when most of the business activities have suffered a huge setback due to the restrictions imposed after the outbreak of second wave of the pandemic.

“We continue to focus on creating infrastructure for exports from eastern, north-eastern regions and hilly states, where infrastructure was earlier not adequate,” said M Angamuthu, chairman, APEDA.

APEDA has been organising B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product specific and general marketing campaigns by active involvement of Indian embassies.

APEDA has also taken several initiatives to promote products having registered geographical indications (GI) in India by organising virtual buyer-seller meets on agricultural and food products, including  on GI products with the IAE, on handicrafts with the US. APEDA is continuing with the initiative of conducting virtual buyer-seller meets (VBSM) with potential importing countries to popularise the GI products of major agricultural commodities.

In order to ensure seamless quality certification of products to be exported, APEDA has recognised 220 labs across India to provide services of testing to a wide range of products and exporters.

APEDA also assists in upgradation and strengthening of recognised laboratories for export testing and residue monitoring plans. APEDA also provides assistance under the financial assistance schemes of infrastructure development, quality improvement and market development for boosting export of agricultural products.

APEDA organises International Trade Fairs with participation of exporters, which provide a platform to the exporters to market their food products in the global marketplace. APEDA also organises national events like AAHAR, Organic World Congress, BioFach India etc to promote agri-exports.

APEDA has initiated registration of pack-houses for horticulture products for meeting quality requirements of the international market. Registration of export units for peanut shelling and grading and processing units, for instance is to ensure quality adherence for the EU and non-EU countries.

APEDA also carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes development and implementation of traceability systems, which ensure the food safety and quality compliances of the importing countries. For boosting exports, APEDA compiles and disseminates various international trade analytical information, market access information amongst exporters and address trade enquiries.