India’s agri exports hit Rs 5 lakh crore, becomes 7th largest exporter globally: Piyush Goyal
Goyal emphasised that while negotiating FTAs, the government has carefully safeguarded the interests of domestic stakeholders, particularly farmers, fishermen and MSMEs
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said India’s exports of food and agricultural products, including farm produce and fisheries, have reached nearly Rs 5 lakh crore (over USD 55 billion) annually, making the country the seventh largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food and Hospitality Fair in New Delhi, Goyal noted that from 2014 to 2025, the country’s agri and food exports have witnessed significant growth.
Exports of processed foods have increased fourfold, fruit and pulses exports have tripled, processed vegetable exports have quadrupled, cocoa exports have tripled, and cereal exports have doubled. Rice exports alone have grown by 62 per cent during this period, he said.
Goyal emphasised that while negotiating FTAs, the government has carefully safeguarded the interests of domestic stakeholders, particularly farmers, fishermen and MSMEs.
However, the sensitive sectors such as dairy, where no concessions have been given to foreign producers, have been protected, he said.
He further said that key agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, maize, soy meal and several varieties of pulses have been protected in trade negotiations. In the sugar sector, concessions have generally not been extended to prevent imports that could adversely affect India’s sugarcane farmers and domestic producers.
The minister added that these measures ensure that India’s domestic strengths remain protected while new global opportunities are created for Indian products.
He urged stakeholders connected with industry and the business community to spread awareness at the grassroots level about how India’s FTAs safeguard national interests while expanding international trade opportunities.
Goyal also encouraged farmers and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and focus on food processing and value addition, which can enable farmers to access higher-value global markets.
He noted that an increasing number of small enterprises are entering the food processing sector, creating new avenues for growth and employment.
