Piyush Goyal urges stronger collaboration to boost India’s global agri and food exports
K N Mishra
11/Mar/2026
What's covered under the Article:
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Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged stronger collaboration across agriculture, food and hospitality sectors to position India as a global leader in agricultural and processed food exports.
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India’s agricultural exports have reached nearly Rs.5 lakh crore annually, making the country the seventh-largest agricultural exporter globally with strong growth across food segments.
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The government highlighted Free Trade Agreements, global demand and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund as key drivers to boost exports and strengthen farmer incomes.
India’s agricultural sector has long been a backbone of the country’s economy, supporting millions of farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses across rural and urban regions. As global demand for food products continues to grow, India is now positioning itself to become a major player in international agricultural trade. In this context, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to transform the country into a global leader in agricultural and processed food exports.
Speaking at the inauguration of the AAHAR International Food and Hospitality Fair New Delhi, Mr. Goyal emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among farmers, food processors, exporters, and the hospitality industry to expand India’s presence in global markets. His remarks highlight the government’s vision to strengthen the India agricultural exports market growth and create new opportunities for farmers and businesses involved in food production and processing.
The minister noted that India’s agriculture exports statement reflects remarkable progress in recent years, as the country has achieved strong growth in multiple segments of the food and agricultural sector.
India’s Agricultural Exports Reach New Milestone
According to official data shared during the event, India’s exports of food and agricultural products have reached nearly Rs. 5 lakh crore annually, equivalent to around US$ 55 billion. This achievement places India among the leading exporters of agricultural products globally.
The figure includes exports of:
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Farm produce
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Fisheries products
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Processed food items
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Cereals and grains
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Fruits and pulses
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Cocoa and other specialty crops
This strong performance has helped India become the seventh-largest agricultural exporter globally, marking a major milestone for the India agri export growth statistics.
The rise in exports reflects improvements in agricultural productivity, better supply chains, stronger export policies and growing international demand for Indian food products.
Mr. Goyal stated that continued collaboration across the sector will help India strengthen its position in global markets and expand the India global food exports strategy.
Strong Growth Across Multiple Food Export Segments
Over the past decade, India has witnessed remarkable expansion in several segments of the India processed food exports industry.
One of the most significant trends highlighted in the announcement is the rapid growth in processed food exports, which have increased fourfold during the last ten years. This growth demonstrates the increasing focus on value-added agricultural products rather than simply exporting raw produce.
The export performance across different categories includes:
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Processed food exports increased fourfold
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Fruits and pulses exports tripled
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Processed vegetable exports quadrupled
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Cocoa exports tripled
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Cereal exports doubled
Among these, rice exports have shown particularly strong growth. According to the data shared at the event, rice exports alone have increased by 62% since 2014.
This growth underscores India’s strong competitiveness in global food markets and its ability to supply high-quality agricultural products to international buyers.
The success of these sectors demonstrates the effectiveness of policies aimed at strengthening the India agricultural export market growth.
Role of the AAHAR International Food and Hospitality Fair
The AAHAR International Food and Hospitality Fair New Delhi is one of the largest events in India focused on the food and hospitality industry. It brings together a wide range of stakeholders including:
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Food producers
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Agricultural exporters
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Hospitality companies
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Retail businesses
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International buyers
The event serves as an important platform for showcasing India’s food production capabilities and connecting exporters with global markets.
Speaking at the fair, Piyush Goyal agriculture exports statement highlighted how events like AAHAR help strengthen collaboration across industries and create new business opportunities.
The minister emphasized that such platforms enable farmers, entrepreneurs and food processors to showcase Made in India agricultural products exports to international buyers and expand their global reach.
Expanding Opportunities Through Free Trade Agreements
A major factor contributing to the growth of India agri trade expansion news is the country’s increasing number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Mr. Goyal noted that India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements in the past three and a half years, significantly expanding access to international markets.
These agreements have opened doors to 38 developed markets, providing exporters with preferential access to global trade networks.
In fact, these agreements collectively provide access to nearly two-thirds of global trade, creating vast opportunities for Indian exporters.
The expansion of India Free Trade Agreements agriculture exports is expected to further strengthen India’s presence in global agricultural markets.
These trade agreements reduce tariffs and improve market access, allowing Indian agricultural products to compete more effectively in international markets.
Protecting Farmers and Sensitive Sectors
While expanding global trade opportunities, the government has also taken steps to ensure that the interests of domestic farmers and industries are protected.
According to the announcement, policies related to India agri export policy news have been designed to balance export growth with domestic agricultural security.
The government has ensured protection for several sensitive sectors including:
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Dairy products
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Certain agricultural commodities
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Genetically modified food products
By restricting concessions in these areas, policymakers aim to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers, fishermen and MSMEs while still expanding export opportunities.
This balanced approach allows India to strengthen global trade while protecting domestic agricultural interests.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Supporting Value Addition
Another key initiative highlighted during the event is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund India, which has been established to strengthen agricultural supply chains and food processing capabilities.
The fund, worth Rs. 1 lakh crore (US$ 10.88 billion), aims to provide financial support for building critical infrastructure in the agriculture sector.
The fund supports investments in areas such as:
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Food processing units
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Cold storage facilities
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Warehousing infrastructure
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Supply chain logistics
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Agricultural value addition projects
Mr. Goyal encouraged farmers and entrepreneurs to take advantage of this initiative to strengthen their businesses and expand into global markets.
By improving infrastructure and processing capabilities, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund India can significantly boost the India processed food exports industry.
Boosting Farmers’ Income Through Export Opportunities
One of the key goals behind expanding India agricultural exports latest news is to increase income opportunities for farmers.
Export markets often offer higher prices compared to domestic markets, especially for value-added products such as processed foods, specialty crops and premium agricultural products.
By connecting farmers with international markets, the government aims to help them achieve better returns for their produce.
The promotion of Made in India agricultural products exports is therefore not only an economic strategy but also a way to support rural livelihoods.
Increasing export opportunities can encourage farmers to adopt modern farming techniques, improve crop quality and diversify into high-value agricultural products.
Strengthening India’s Global Food Trade Position
India’s strategy to expand India global food exports strategy is aligned with global trends in food demand.
As the global population continues to grow, the demand for food products is rising rapidly. Countries around the world are looking for reliable suppliers of agricultural commodities and processed foods.
India’s vast agricultural resources, diverse crop production and expanding food processing industry provide a strong foundation for becoming a leading global exporter.
The government’s focus on improving infrastructure, expanding trade agreements and encouraging innovation in agriculture will further strengthen the India agricultural export market growth.
Collaboration Across the Agricultural Ecosystem
Mr. Goyal emphasized that achieving leadership in global agricultural exports will require cooperation across the entire agricultural ecosystem.
Key stakeholders who must work together include:
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Farmers
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Food processors
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Exporters
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Government agencies
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Research institutions
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Hospitality and retail sectors
Such collaboration can improve efficiency across supply chains and ensure that Indian agricultural products meet international quality standards.
Stronger partnerships will also help address challenges related to logistics, storage, food safety and market access.
Future Outlook for India’s Agricultural Export Sector
The outlook for India agri export growth statistics remains highly promising. With strong government support, growing international demand and expanding trade partnerships, India’s agricultural export sector is expected to continue growing steadily.
The development of food processing infrastructure, improved agricultural productivity and stronger market access will further enhance India’s competitiveness in global markets.
The government’s initiatives aimed at boosting India agricultural exports latest news are likely to help the country move closer to its goal of becoming a global leader in agricultural trade.
By combining modern infrastructure, innovative technologies and strategic trade partnerships, India can expand its presence in international markets while supporting millions of farmers across the country.
In conclusion, Piyush Goyal’s call for stronger collaboration reflects a clear vision for the future of India’s agricultural sector. The growth of India agricultural exports market growth, expansion of Free Trade Agreements agriculture exports, and strategic use of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund India can significantly transform the sector.
With continued efforts to strengthen supply chains, improve food processing capabilities and expand global market access, India is well positioned to become a major force in the global food trade.
The promotion of Made in India agricultural products exports will not only enhance the country’s international reputation but also create sustainable economic opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses across the agricultural value chain.
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