India Targets Top Spot in Global Agri Exports: Piyush Goyal at AAHAR Food Fair

Shri Goyal highlighted that India’s agri and food exports have grown significantly over the past decade, reflecting improved supply chains, stronger global demand, and increased processing capacity.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday called on stakeholders across the food, agriculture, and hospitality sectors to work together to position India as the world’s largest exporter of agricultural and processed food products, highlighting the growing opportunities created by India’s expanding trade agreements and rising global demand for Indian food products.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair in New Delhi, the minister said India’s agricultural and food exports—including farm produce and fisheries—have reached nearly ₹5 lakh crore annually (over USD 55 billion), making India the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural products globally.

India’s Food Exports See Rapid Growth

Shri Goyal highlighted that India’s agri and food exports have grown significantly over the past decade, reflecting improved supply chains, stronger global demand, and increased processing capacity.

Between 2014 and 2025, several segments of India’s food export sector witnessed remarkable growth:

• Processed food exports have grown fourfold

• Fruit and pulses exports have tripled

• Processed vegetable exports have quadrupled

• Cocoa exports have tripled

• Cereal exports have doubled

• Rice exports have increased by 62%

These gains underline India’s rising role in global food trade and support the vision of making the country a global food supply hub.

Vision of India as the “Food Basket of the World”

The minister said the progress achieved in recent years should inspire India to aim for the top position globally in agricultural and processed food exports.

He noted that the goal aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform India into the “food basket of the world.”

With its diverse agro-climatic conditions, strong farming base, and rapidly expanding food processing industry, India is well positioned to scale up its export potential, he said.

Trade Agreements Expanding Global Market Access

Shri Goyal highlighted that nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) concluded over the past three and a half years have opened access to 38 developed and prosperous markets, creating new opportunities for Indian exporters.

He added that India now enjoys preferential market access covering nearly two-thirds of global trade, strengthening the country’s ability to integrate into global value chains and attract international investment.

Key trade partners include:

• EFTA countries: Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland

• Australia, Japan and South Korea

• ASEAN nations

• United Arab Emirates and Mauritius

• Oman and New Zealand

The minister also noted that negotiations with Canada are progressing, while talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—a six-nation group in the Middle East—have recently begun.

Protecting Farmers and Sensitive Sectors

Shri Goyal emphasized that while negotiating FTAs, the government has carefully safeguarded the interests of farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs.

Several sensitive sectors have been protected:

• No concessions granted to foreign dairy producers

• Genetically modified (GM) products denied duty concessions or market access

• Key crops such as rice, wheat, maize, soy meal and many pulses protected

• Sugar imports restricted to safeguard domestic producers

These safeguards ensure that India’s domestic agriculture remains secure while export opportunities expand, he said.

Boosting Value Addition Through Food Processing

The minister encouraged farmers and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the ₹1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, which supports investments in post-harvest infrastructure, food processing, storage, and supply chains.

He noted that small enterprises are increasingly entering the food processing sector, creating new opportunities for employment, rural industrialisation, and value addition to farm produce.

Greater focus on processing and packaging innovations will help farmers capture higher-value international markets, he added.

AAHAR 2026: A Global Platform for Food and Hospitality

The 40th edition of AAHAR, one of Asia’s largest food and hospitality exhibitions, was described by the minister as a landmark event for the sector.

For the first time, the exhibition features a partner country—Italy, opening avenues for collaboration between Indian and Italian companies.

Shri Goyal said India could benefit from Italy’s expertise in food processing, culinary innovation, and hospitality management, while also promoting Indian cuisine and ingredients globally.

Europe, he noted, represents a major market for agricultural and processed food imports, especially with new trade arrangements that provide near-zero or very low tariffs on many Indian products.

Exhibition to Open to Public

In a first for the event, the minister announced that AAHAR will open to the general public on Friday evening (13 March) and throughout Saturday, allowing visitors—particularly young people—to experience innovations in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.

He encouraged exhibitors to explore the entire exhibition beyond their own stalls, noting that such engagement could generate new ideas, partnerships, packaging innovations, and business expansion opportunities.

Government Support for Exporters

Shri Goyal assured exporters that the government will continue to provide comprehensive support through the Export Promotion Mission, including assistance from:

• Ministry of Commerce and Industry

• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

• Export promotion councils and related institutions

The initiative aims to strengthen India’s global trade presence and support businesses in expanding exports.

Driving Income Growth for Farmers

Concluding his address, the minister expressed confidence that the combined efforts of farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs, startups, and MSMEs will help India expand global trade while strengthening the “Made in India” brand worldwide.

He said enhanced exports and value-added food products will play a crucial role in boosting farmers’ incomes and generating new employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.