Indian Economy News

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’s (APEDA) financial assistance schemes boost 47.3% surge in India’s fruit and vegetable exports

Under the Department of Commerce, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is strengthening India's position in global markets through new schemes aimed at infrastructure, quality, and market development. These initiatives, part of the Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme, provide financial assistance to exporters for setting up infrastructure like packhouse facilities, refrigerated transportation, and pre-shipment treatment systems. Additionally, support is available for quality development, including lab testing equipment, traceability tools, and market promotion, which covers participation in international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets. As a result, India's fruit and vegetable exports have grown significantly, with a 47.3% increase in volume and a 41.5% rise in value over the past five years. 

India’s fruit and vegetable exports now reach 123 countries, with 17 new markets opened in the last three years, including Brazil, Uganda, and the Czech Republic. Notably, new market access has been achieved for commodities such as Indian potatoes and onions in Serbia and pomegranates in Australia, the United States of America (USA), and New Zealand. However, challenges like high logistics costs, stringent phytosanitary requirements, and delays in market access persist. To address these issues, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and APEDA are focusing on strategic market negotiations, developing sea protocols for horticulture exports to lower logistics costs, and improving traceability systems to meet importing countries' phytosanitary standards. 

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