Introduction
India’s economic growth continues to be supported by strong domestic demand, with rural consumption playing a key role, driven by stable agricultural performance. The Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights that agriculture remains an important pillar of the economy, with agriculture and allied services estimated to grow by 3.1% in FY26. Agricultural activity in H1 FY26 was supported by favourable monsoon conditions, with agricultural GVA growing by 3.6%, reflecting steady value addition from allied activities. As per the Ministry of Finance, agricultural growth contributes to overall economic expansion by supporting rural demand and strengthening supply conditions. Allied activities such as livestock and fisheries have shown relatively stable growth of around 5–6%, improving the resilience and diversification of the agriculture sector. The Economic Survey 2025–26 also highlights that steady rural consumption, supported by strong agricultural performance, has contributed to broad-based domestic demand.
India’s foodgrains and sugarcane production (million tonnes)
Source: RBI Handbook of Statistics
In the broader trade context, India's export performance has remained resilient. Total merchandise and services exports reached a record US$ 825.3 billion in FY25 and were estimated to rise to US$ 860.09 billion in FY26, despite global trade uncertainties. Agricultural exports also increased to US$ 53.72 billion billion in FY26, highlighting the sector's growing contribution to India's external trade. Overall, steady agricultural growth, resilient allied activities, rising rural demand and expanding agricultural exports are supporting India's broader economic growth and strengthening the sector's contribution to economic resilience and food security.
The Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing at current prices stood at Rs. 56.65 lakh crore in FY26, accounting for around 18.2% of India's total GVA. The sector recorded real GVA growth of 3.0% in FY26, reflecting continued expansion despite moderation from the previous year. India produces a wide range of crops and foodgrains, including rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, coffee, jute, sugarcane, tea, tobacco and groundnuts, along with dairy products, fruits and other horticultural crops.
In FY26, India’s estimated tea production stood at 66.86 million kgs. Coffee production during FY26 (post blossom estimated stood at 4,03,000 million tonnes. While other products such as rice, wheat, maize, pulses, mustard, and sugarcane reached a record high production.
The top foodgrain-producing states in India in FY26 were Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest foodgrain production at 65.31 million tonnes, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 52.87 million tonnes and Punjab at 30.05 million tonnes. Most of the wheat produced in the country comes from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane in India, accounting for about 44.8% of the country’s total production, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka at 25.5% and 11.7%, respectively.
Export Trend
India’s agriculture exports trend (US$ billion)
Source: The Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Note: *- April to June
Agriculture and allied activities account for nearly one-fifth of India’s gross value added, highlighting the sector’s critical role in the economy. In FY26, India’s exports of agriculture and allied products stood at US$ 53.72 billion, compared with US$ 51.87 billion in FY25, registering a growth of 3.57%. During April-June FY27, exports of agriculture and allied products stood at US$ 13.88 billion, registering a year-on-year growth of 6.44% compared with the corresponding period of FY26. Within the overall agriculture export basket, rice remained the largest exported agricultural commodity, with exports valued at approximately US$ 11.55 billion in FY26, compared with US$ 11.54 billion in FY25. During April-June FY27, rice exports stood at approximately US$ 3.03 billion. Marine products continued to be a key contributor, with exports reaching US$ 8.46 billion, while fresh fruits and vegetables exports stood at US$ 1,921.42 million in FY26. Among plantation crops, coffee exports stood at US$ 599.18 million during April–June FY27, registering a 1.89% year-on-year growth, while tea exports stood at US$ 180.52 million during the same period.
The government continues to promote agricultural exports and improve farmers' access to international markets through APEDA-led initiatives. APEDA has expanded its market-development efforts through international exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meets, product-specific market intelligence and initiatives to connect Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) with overseas buyers. During 2025–26, around 1,080 capacity-building and training programmes were conducted across India to strengthen the participation of exporters, FPOs, FPCs and SHGs in export supply chains. APEDA has also facilitated new market-access opportunities and first-time exports of Indian agricultural and processed food products to international markets.
Export Destinations
The United States of America remained the largest export destination for India’s agriculture and allied products, accounting for 10.64% of total exports during April–June FY27, followed by China at 8.28% and the UAE at 5.59%. Vietnam and, Saudi Arabia accounted for 5.19% and, 4.27% respectively.
Beyond the top markets, India’s agri-exports are further supported by countries such as Malaysia (3.31%), Jordan (2.90%), Bangladesh (2.87%), Indonesia (2.14%), and Egypt (2.09%) of total exports during April–June FY2026–27. The diverse range of export destinations highlights India’s broad global market presence and helps reduce dependence on any single market, supporting the resilience of the country’s agricultural export performance.
Country-wise share of exports in FY27(April – June 2026)
Source: The Ministry of Commerce & Industry
The Government of India continues to strengthen agricultural export promotion through APEDA-led Buyer-Seller Meets, international trade fairs, market intelligence and country-specific market-access initiatives. These efforts connect Indian exporters, FPOs and producer organisations with international buyers and promote GI-tagged, organic and value-added agricultural products. At World Food India 2025, APEDA's Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet attracted more than 530 international buyers from 68 countries and facilitated over 4,654 B2B meetings. APEDA is also continuing to expand international market linkages through participation in major trade fairs and Buyer-Seller Meets across key global markets. Overseas Agri-Cells and India's wider diplomatic network provide market intelligence and support for addressing trade-related issues and identifying opportunities for Indian agricultural products.
Government Initiatives
The Government of India continues to strengthen agricultural growth, productivity and self-reliance through major policy initiatives. The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY), with an outlay of Rs. 24,000 crore (US$ 2.72 billion), is being implemented across 100 districts to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification and sustainable practices, improve post-harvest storage and irrigation, and facilitate access to credit. By July 2026, the average performance score of the 100 identified districts had improved to 38.85 from 22.54 in April 2026, reflecting progress in implementation and outcome-based monitoring.
The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, with an outlay of Rs. 0.13 lakh crore (US$ 1.29 billion) for 2025–26 to 2030–31, aims to raise pulse production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31, expand the area under pulse cultivation and strengthen procurement, storage and processing infrastructure. The mission targets 1,000 pulse-processing units and the distribution of 87.5 lakh free seed kits over six years. As of March 2026, 1.5 lakh pulse farmers had been registered for procurement through NAFED and NCCF, while 528 processing units had been allocated to states and Union Territories in the first phase. Together, these initiatives are aimed at improving farm productivity and incomes, strengthening agricultural value chains, reducing import dependence and enhancing India's food and nutritional security.
Agriculture Export Policy 2018 (AEP)
The Government of India has introduced a comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) to promote exports of agricultural products. The key objectives of the AEP are to diversify export basket and destinations, to boost high value-added agricultural exports, to promote indigenous, organic, traditional, and non-traditional Agri products exports, to provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access and to enable farmers to get the benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.
Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
FAS is the export promotion scheme by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). It is part of the Finance Commission Cycle for the years FY22 to FY26. The primary aim of this scheme is to assist businesses in export infrastructure development, quality development and market development. The financial assistance under the scheme will range from Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 6,500) to Rs. 5 crore (US$ 650,000).
Ministry of Commerce & Industry scheme
The Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has also initiated several schemes to promote exports, including the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), the Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, etc.
In addition, assistance to the exporters of agricultural products is also available under the Export Promotion Schemes of APEDA, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Tobacco Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board and Spices Board. Further, to boost honey exports, India has made NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) testing mandatory for honey exported to the USA.
Governing Bodies
Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory body established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, which came into effect on February 13, 1986. It plays a key role in strengthening India’s agri-export ecosystem by supporting farmers, processors, and exporters through market development, quality standardization, and infrastructure assistance. APEDA is responsible for registering exporters, setting standards and specifications for scheduled products, conducting inspections, facilitating certifications (including organic products), and promoting Indian agri-products in global markets. Additionally, it provides training, advisory services, and export-related information, while collecting trade statistics and acting as a bridge between producers, exporters, and logistics networks to enhance India’s position in international agricultural trade.
FAQs
Rice remains a leading agricultural export from India, with exports of approximately US$ 3.03 billion during April–June FY27. Marine products and fresh fruits and vegetables also remain important contributors, while coffee exports reached US$ 599.18 million during the same period.
During April–June FY27, the United States of America was the largest destination for India’s agriculture and allied exports, accounting for 10.64% of total exports, followed by China at 8.28% and the UAE at 5.59%. Vietnam and Saudi Arabia accounted for 5.19% and 4.27%, respectively.
India’s agriculture and allied exports stood at US$ 13.88 billion during April–June FY27, registering 6.44% year-on-year growth over the corresponding period of FY26. This follows exports of US$ 53.72 billion in FY26, highlighting continued expansion in India agricultural exports.
India’s agricultural export basket includes rice, marine products, fresh fruits and vegetables, coffee and tea, alongside a wider range of agricultural and processed food products. During April–June FY27, rice exports reached US$ 3.03 billion, while coffee and tea exports stood at US$ 599.18 million and US$ 180.52 million, respectively.
The Government of India is supporting agricultural exports through the Agriculture Export Policy, APEDA’s export promotion measures, the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. These initiatives focus on productivity, crop diversification, market access, infrastructure, processing and stronger agricultural value chains.
APEDA supports India agricultural exports through international exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meets, market intelligence and linkages between Farmer Producer Organisations, Farmer Producer Companies and overseas buyers. During 2025–26, it conducted around 1,080 capacity-building and training programmes and facilitated new market-access opportunities and first-time exports.
The leading foodgrain-producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Their strong agricultural production base supports the availability of produce for domestic processing and export supply chains, contributing to India’s agricultural export potential.
India’s agricultural exports have a diversified global market presence, with the USA, China, UAE, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia among the leading destinations during April–June FY27. Malaysia, Jordan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Egypt also accounted for notable shares, supporting wider market access and reducing dependence on individual markets.
Processed agricultural products are being supported through APEDA’s market-development initiatives, international exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meets and market intelligence. APEDA is also promoting value-added products and connecting processors and producer organisations with overseas buyers, helping expand India’s agricultural export basket and international market access.
The outlook for India’s agricultural exports is supported by rising export momentum, diversified international markets and government efforts to strengthen productivity, processing and market access. During April–June FY27, agriculture and allied exports grew 6.44% year-on-year, while APEDA continued expanding international linkages for Indian agricultural products.
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