India aims to boost the export of agricultural value-added goods by collaborating with retail chains and supermarkets in nations such as the United Arab Emirates. The commerce department has pinpointed 12 value-added food items, encompassing jams, jellies, and marmalades, alcoholic beverages, fruit pulp products, dehydrated vegetables, and ready-to-eat products for this endeavor.
“We intend to focus on a select few products and encourage exports. These are a few value-added products that we are confident will provide results,” stated an official, who did not wish to be identified.
Biscuits, confectionery items, mango pulp, value-added mango products, as well as preserved gherkins and cucumbers are also included in the list.
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“There is no specific target set for the export of these 12 categories. We anticipate a boost from the free trade agreements recently established,” the official commented. They further mentioned that the strategy includes promotional activities, consultations with stakeholders, and collaborations with supermarkets and retail chains, particularly in the UAE, the EU, and the US.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, India’s processed food exports reached $10.6 billion, marking a compound annual growth rate of 22.4% over the past five years. Meanwhile, the total agricultural and food exports stood at approximately $53 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 6%. India targets to elevate its agricultural exports to $100 billion by 2029-30, up from the current $53 billion.
Agricultural products make up nearly 11% of India’s total export value. Globally, India stands at the eighth position in agricultural exports, holding a 2.45% share in 2022.
Furthermore, since these are processed foods, the official noted that import restrictions from purchasing countries would likely be minimal.
The department intends to conduct a market-specific analysis of products that can be readily exported and also aims to focus on countries that currently import similar goods from other nations but not from India. This would involve identifying the necessary certifications, standards, and export compliances to facilitate business and exports. Agriculture is one of the six priority sectors projected to contribute approximately $670 billion to exports by 2029-30. India’s total exports in 2022-23 amounted to $451.07 billion.
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