India aims to become a top exporter of agricultural and processed food products, says minister
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal called for India to aim to lead global exports in agriculture and processed foods, citing large export gains since 2014 and ongoing trade negotiations that could expand market access.
India should aspire to be a leading exporter of agricultural and processed food products, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said at the 40th AAHAR international food & hospitality fair in New Delhi.
Goyal noted that India is currently the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural produce and food products globally, with annual shipments valued at about ₹5 lakh crore.
He cited export growth between 2014 and 2025 across several categories: processed food exports rose fourfold; fruit and pulses exports tripled; processed vegetable exports quadrupled; cocoa exports tripled; cereal exports doubled; and rice exports grew by 62%.
Goyal pointed to trade agreements as a route to further expansion. He said the nine free trade agreements India has concluded open access to 38 developed and prosperous countries and strengthen India’s appeal as an investment destination.
The minister also said India is in the process of finalising an agreement with Canada and has launched discussions with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to expand market access for Indian agri and food products.
Italy’s ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, commented that reduced trade barriers under the new India-EU framework could generate mutual economic gains and enable stronger cooperation in the agro-food sector.
Overall, Goyal framed reduced trade barriers and ongoing FTAs and negotiations as opportunities to boost exports, investment and cooperation in India’s agricultural and processed food sectors.