For decades, India’s agricultural exports have been dominated by staples like rice and wheat. These crops have fed millions and driven export revenues, but as consumer preferences shift, climate pressures mount, and the need to earn more from every acre intensifies, India is being pushed toward a new frontier in agriculture.
The future lies not in sacks of grain, but in crates of vibrant fruits, baskets of fresh vegetables, and shelves stocked with value-added, processed foods. Recognizing this pivotal moment, the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has charted a bold new roadmap.
The landmark study ‘Strategies to Boost India’s Agri-Exports’ envisions transforming India into a global agri-export leader by 2030- driven by value, not just volume. Focusing on bananas, mangoes and mango pulp, and potatoes with value-added products, it outlines a strategic roadmap to achieve USD 100 billion in agri-exports, redefining Indian agriculture and its global connect.
Building Export Powerhouses: Clusters and Hubs
Despite being the world’s top producer of bananas and mangoes and second-largest producer of potatoes, India exports only a fraction of its output- 0.4% of bananas, 0.6% of mangoes, and 0.7% of potatoes. The report recommends establishing integrated export clusters to overcome this production-export gap.
Proposed clusters include:
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Bananas: Jalgaon, Solapur (Maharashtra), Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh)
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Mangoes: Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), Junagadh (Gujarat), Malihabad (Uttar Pradesh)
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Mango Pulp: Rangareddy (Telangana), Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh)
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Potatoes: Banaskantha (Gujarat), Bihar, UP, and West Bengal
These hubs would integrate cold storage, packhouses, quality labs, and reefer logistics under public-private partnership (PPP) models, supported by exporters, FPOs, and state governments.
Trade Diplomacy: Next Frontier
India’s current agri-export competitiveness is constrained by tariff and non-tariff barriers in premium markets. The study urges a renewed focus on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU, USA, Japan, South Korea, and GCC countries, while enhancing ties with Russia, ASEAN, and African markets via rupee-trade mechanisms and diaspora-driven demand.
Notably, India’s banana exports surged from USD 25 million in 2010 to USD 250.6 million in 2023, signaling untapped potential if logistics and market access are improved.
Branding India: From Commodity to Quality
Weak branding has hurt India’s positioning in the global fruit and vegetable trade. The report recommends launching marketing campaigns for:
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GI-tagged mangoes- Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri
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Organic bananas and premium potato products
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Processed mango pulp and French fries
It urges partnerships with the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), supermarket chains, and digital platforms. Adoption of Global GAP, traceability systems, and sustainability certifications will boost India’s appeal to health-conscious global consumers.
Empowering FPOs & MSMEs
Small-scale farmers and processors often remain excluded from export markets. The report proposes integrating FPOs and MSMEs into global supply chains by:
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Providing training, digital tools, and export finance
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Facilitating direct linkages with exporters and large buyers
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Supporting mango pulp processors and potato chip makers to scale operations
This inclusive model will build rural enterprise capacity and enhance farmer incomes.
R&D and Data Infrastructure: Fueling the Future
Long-term competitiveness depends on climate-resilient, export-suitable varieties and a strong data backbone. The study recommends:
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Accelerated R&D by ICAR, CPRI, and global seed firms
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GIS-based crop forecasting and digitized trade portals
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Standardizing HSN codes, especially for mango pulp and processed products
These steps will enable better production planning, supply-demand alignment, and export readiness.
From Deficit to Dominance
In FY 2023-24, India’s horticulture imports stood at USD 2.7 billion, exceeding exports of USD 2 billion- a trade deficit in a sector where India has natural strength. With demand rising globally for convenient, high-quality, and healthy food, the opportunity is ripe.
By adopting the strategies outlined in the APEDA-ICRIER study, India can shift from being a staple-focused exporter to a global leader in high-value agri-exports. This transition not only supports the country’s ambitious export targets but also fosters inclusive growth by empowering farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural communities- creating a more resilient and value-driven agricultural economy.
