How India's agri exports posted impressive growth, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• India's agricultural exports grew by 8.8% in April-September 2025, reaching $25.9 billion, surpassing the 2.9% growth in overall merchandise exports.
• Non-basmati rice, buffalo meat, and marine products are key drivers of this export growth.
• Coffee exports have more than doubled since 2019-20, reaching $1.8 billion in 2024-25, and are projected to exceed $2 billion this fiscal year.
• India's farm produce imports also increased by 5.9% during April-September 2025, totaling $19.5 billion, with vegetable oils being the largest import commodity.

India's Agricultural Trade Performance.png

Detailed Insights:

• The growth in non-basmati rice exports is attributed to the easing of export restrictions imposed between September 2022 and August 2023 to control domestic food inflation.
• Despite tariffs imposed by the U.S., Indian seafood exporters have managed to increase exports by diversifying into markets like China, Vietnam, and the European Union.
• The surge in coffee exports is primarily due to skyrocketing global prices resulting from a 25-year low in global ending stocks for 2024-25.
• While pulses imports saw a sharp decline due to a bumper domestic crop and the reinstatement of import duties, fresh fruits and raw cotton imports have significantly expanded.
• Raw cotton imports are increasing due to domestic production shortfalls, stemming from the lack of new yield-enhancing technologies after Bt cotton.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Merchandise Exports: Tangible goods that are exported from one country to another.
• Food Price Index: A measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities.
• Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods, affecting their price and competitiveness.