India’s agricultural exports grow 23% in Apr–Jan 2021-22

India’s agricultural exports grow 23% in Apr–Jan 2021-22
The export of products under APEDA ambit increased from USD 15,974 million in April-January 2020-21 to USD 19,709 million in Apr–Jan 2021-22. The export of rice was the top forex earner at USD 7,696 million

Notwithstanding logistical challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, India’s exports of agricultural and processed food products rose by more than 23 per cent in terms of USD in the first 10 months of the current fiscal (April-January, 2021-22) compared to the same period of the previous year, Ministry of Commerce & Industry has said in the statement today.

The export of products under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) ambit increased from USD 15,974 million in April-January 2020-21 to USD 19,709 million during the period. The ministry has fixed the target for exports under APEDA basket products at USD 23,713 million in 2021-22.

According to the ministry, the export of rice was the top forex earner at USD 7,696 million during April-January 2021-22, growing 13 per cent over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched USD 6,793 million.

The export of wheat recorded a huge surge at USD 1,742 million during April-January 2021-22, growing 387 per cent over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched USD 358 million, while other cereals registered a growth of 66 per cent by fetching USD 869 million during April-January 2021-22 over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched USD 527 million.

Meat, dairy and poultry products exports grew over 13 per cent standing at USD 3,408 million in April-January 2021-22 compared to USD 3,005 million in the corresponding 10-month period of 2020-21. Fruits and vegetables exports were up by 16 per cent to touch USD 1,207 million during April-January 2021-22 against USD 1,037 million in April-January 2020-21, while processed fruits and vegetable exports were up by 11 per cent to reach USD 1,269 million during the first 10 months of 2021-22 against USD 1,143 million in the corresponding period of the previous year, Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.

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Exports of cereal preparations and other processed food items grew by 14 per cent during April-January 2021-22 to touch USD 2,956 million against USD 2,599 million in April-January, 2020-21. The cashew exports also grew by 11 per cent to USD 383 million in the first 10 months of the current fiscal compared to the same period previous year.

“We continue to focus on creating infrastructure for boosting exports by focusing on clusters in collaboration with state governments while taking into consideration the objective of Agriculture Export Policy, 2018,” Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, said.

“We are also promoting exports of Geographical Indication registered products along with those unique from the north-eastern and hilly states,” Angamuthu said.

Agricultural and processed food products exports (April-January), 2021-22 vs 2020-21
Products Exports (April-January) 2021-22 in USD million Exports (April-January) 2020-21 in USD million Growth (%)
Rice 7696 6793 13
Meat, Dairy and Poultry Products 3408 3005 13
Cereal Preparations and Miscellaneous Processed Items 2956 2599 14
Other Cereals 869 527 65
Cashew 383 345 11
Wheat 1742 358 387
Fruits and Vegetables 1207 1037 16
Miscellaneous processed items 1448 1310 10
Total 19,709 15,974 23

Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS)

APEDA initiatives to promote agricultural exports

APEDA has been engaged with the state governments for the implementation of Agriculture Export Policy. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh., Mizoram and Meghalaya have finalised the state-specific action plans for exports while the action plans of other states are at different stages of finalisation.

The rise in agricultural exports has been largely due to the various initiatives taken by APEDA such as organising B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product-specific and general marketing campaigns by the active involvement of Indian embassies.

APEDA has also taken several initiatives to promote geographical indications (GI) registered agricultural and processed food products in India by organising virtual buyer-seller meets on agricultural and food products with the major importing countries across the world.

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 to 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.

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

APEDA also initiates the registration of pack-houses for horticulture products for meeting the 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 carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes the development and implementation of traceability systems that 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 stakeholders and also address trade enquiries.

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