APEDA eyes US$ 60 billion agriculture exports with support of new policy

With the help of the new agriculture export policy, the agri exports from India is likely to reach the export target of US$ 60 billion by the year 2022, said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce. The policy has acted as a bridge between Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Agriculture helping in to reach the target.

"Achieving an agriculture export target of US$ 60 billion by 2022 does not look ambitious, given the current global market conditions. More so, because India's export basket largely comprises meat, marine products, and basmati rice whose demand in the world market is on constant increase," said Mr. Tarun Bajaj, GM, APEDA.
"With an integrated approach and better cooperation among the two union ministries for boosting agriculture production and trade increase export of organic food products as well as to double Agri-exports to US$ 60 billion by 2022 from current $38 billion" said Mr. Bajaj.

APEDA gives a platform to display India's quality produce to the global market along with promoting the export of various agricultural commodities. Mr. Bajaj added, "After the announcement of Agri Export Policy (AEP) by the government, all the concerned ministries which includes Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and other agencies are working in close coordination, they are also focusing on exports. In addition, involving states since they also have an important role in encouraging exports of agriculture products from the region."

APEDA and Nurnberg Messe India jointly organised Biofach India which was inaugurated by APEDA Chairman Mr. Paban Kumar Borthakur where around 200 Indian organic food products companies exhibited their products at the event.

"India exported organic products worth Rs 5,151 crore (over US $ 757 million) in 2018-19, from Rs 3,453 crore (US$ 515 million) in 2017-18 registering an increase of about 49 per cent. The major demands under the organic product category are for flax seeds, sesame and soybean; pulses such as arhar (red gram), chana (pigeon pea); and rice, along with tea and medicinal plants. USA and European Union member-countries were the biggest buyers of organic products. There is a growing demand from Canada, Taiwan and South Korea in recent years, Germany is one of the biggest importers of Indian organic products. Now, many new countries are also taking interest" he said.

As per the industry estimates, India organic agricultural products market is about Rs 8,500 crore (US$ 1.22 billion). Exports account for nearly 60 per cent at Rs 5150 crore (US$ 736.8 million) while domestic market is estimated at Rs 2,500 crore (US$ 357 million). Compared to international trade of about US$ 97 billion Indian market seems to be very small but it is growing very fast," he added.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.