Agri, processed food exports up 7% in FY19

NEW DELHI: India exported 7% more agricultural and processed food products in value terms in the just concluded fiscal year, driven by doubledigit increases in dairy products and pulses, although there was muted growth in wheat and non-Basmati rice shipped out of the country.

Overall agri and processed food exports rose to Rs 1.28 lakh crore in financial year 2019 from Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the 2017-18 fiscal, according to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the nodal agency for promotion of food exports.

Dairy products saw a 72% increase to Rs 3,376 crore from Rs 1,955 crore, while pulses went up a little over 22% to Rs 1,795 crore from Rs 1,470 crore. “The growth in pulses exports was due to back-to-back bumper crop-…but this year, there will be a drop in pulses exports as there is considerable dip in production due to droughtlike conditions in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” said an agriculture department official.



While exports of Basmati rice grew, there was a steep decline in the export value of non-Basmati rice and wheat. Export of Basmati rice rose to Rs 32,806 crore from Rs 26,871 crore in 2017-18, but that of the non-Basmati varieties slipped to Rs 20,903 crore from Rs 23,437 crore.

Wheat exports dropped to Rs 369 crore from Rs 624 crore. A glut in global wheat production made prices of Indian wheat uncompetitive. “Wheat from Russia and Brazil was traded more in global platforms due to their low cost. Indian surwheat took a beating as it is more remunerative to sell in local markets,” said an APEDA official.

The sector is, however, eyeing overall growth in farm exports following the introduction of a new agriculture export policy in December. The policy recommends diversification of the exports basket, and seeks to boost high-value and value-added agricultural exports, including perishables.

“The share of high-value and valueadded products is less than 15%, compared to 25% in the US and 49% in China. The focus is now on exporting processed food products, which can fetch high value in global markets,” the agriculture department official said.

India is also looking at promoting exports of organic products, which grew 39% in 2017-18. State governments should align their organic production programme with products that have export potential, an official said.