**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the performance of India’s processed food exports from 2022 to 2025 and details the government’s strategic initiatives to enhance global market share. It highlights financial assistance programs under the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021–2026) and focuses on infrastructure, quality, and market development. Key objectives include reaching a USD 100 billion export target for agriculture and food products within the next four years.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Export Statistics and Destinations**
* Total export value for processed food was US$ 13,078.4 million in 2022-23, US$ 10,881.8 million in 2023-24, and US$ 10,097.97 million in 2024-25.
* Major export destinations include the USA, UAE, Bangladesh, State of Libya, Sudan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Thailand, and Tanzania.
**APEDA Export Promotion Initiatives**
* Financial assistance is provided under the Central Sector Scheme for export infrastructure, quality development, and market development.
* APEDA facilitates participation in international trade fairs and organizes Buyer–Seller Meets (BSMs) and Reverse Buyer–Seller Meets (RBSMs) to strengthen trade linkages.
* The BHARATI initiative (“Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement”) has selected 100 start-ups for mentoring and handholding.
* Capacity-building and sensitization programs are conducted to help stakeholders comply with international quality standards and regulatory requirements.
**Grassroots and Strategic Government Schemes**
* **Districts as Export Hubs (DEH):** A DGFT initiative focused on promoting manufacturing and employment at the grassroots level through digital e-commerce and logistics onboarding.
* **Export Promotion Mission (EPM):** A government-approved scheme designed to improve India’s export competitiveness through targeted support.
**Future Projections**
* The Economic Survey 2025-26 identifies a potential for USD 100 billion in combined exports of agriculture, marine, and food products over the next four years.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Exporters**
**Impact**
Exporters gain access to financial subsidies for infrastructure and quality upgrades, along with dedicated platforms (BSMs and trade fairs) to showcase products to international buyers.
**Action Required**
Exporters should engage with APEDA-scheduled programs and utilize the provided financial assistance to align their products with international regulatory standards.
**Selected Agri-food Start-ups**
**Impact**
100 start-ups under the BHARATI initiative receive specialized mentoring, incubation, and handholding to enable their entry into the export market.
**Action Required**
Selected start-ups must participate in the handholding and mentoring sessions provided to enhance their export readiness.
**MSMEs, Women Entrepreneurs, and FPOs**
**Impact**
These groups benefit from targeted capacity-building programs, sensitization on importing country requirements, and support for accessing international markets.
**Action Required**
These stakeholders should enroll in sensitization programs and leverage the DEH initiative for e-commerce and logistics onboarding.
**Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)**
**Impact**
The DGFT is tasked with driving the "Districts as Export Hubs" initiative to stimulate manufacturing and employment at the local level.
**Action Required**
The DGFT must continue providing export facilitation, handholding, and awareness programs to equip grassroots exporters for international trade.
Key Entities Referenced
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): The primary authority providing financial assistance, infrastructure development, and market facilitation for the export of agri-horticulture processed food products.
Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme: A scheme under APEDA providing financial assistance for export infrastructure, quality development, and market development during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle.
Districts as Export Hubs (DEH): A capacity-building initiative of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) aimed at promoting exports and manufacturing at the grassroots level.
Scheme for Export Promotion Mission (EPM): A government-approved mission aimed at strengthening India’s export competitiveness and providing targeted support to exporters.
Economic Survey 2025-26: A referenced policy document highlighting the country's potential to reach USD 100 billion in combined agricultural, marine, and food exports.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Increase In Export of Processed Food
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 9:48PM by PIB Delhi
The total export value of the processed food products from India in the last three years are as follows:
Figures in US$ Million
Category 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Processed-Food Export (ITC HS Chapter 13078.4 10881.8 10097.97
16-23)
Source: DGCIS, Kolkata
Major food export destination countries for India are USA, UAE, Bangladesh, State of Libya, Sudan,
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Thailand, Tanzania, etc.
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Central Sector
Scheme (CSS) provides financial assistance to facilitate the export of agri/horticulture processed food
products to exporters on PAN India basis.
Financial assistance is provided under Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme of
APEDA for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26) in three broad areas, namely
Development of export infrastructure, Quality Development and Market Development. For the export
facilitation of APEDA-scheduled products including processed food products in international markets,
APEDA organizes participation in international trade fairs and Buyer–Seller Meets (BSMs), enabling
Indian exporters to showcase their products to overseas buyers and explore new business opportunities. In
addition, APEDA conducts Reverse Buyer–Seller Meets (RBSMs) in India by inviting prominent
importers from various countries. These events provide a dedicated platform for display, interaction, and
promotion of India’s export-potential agricultural and processed food before prospective international
buyers, thereby strengthening market access and trade linkages.
Under APEDA’s BHARATI initiative — “Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and
Incubation for Export Enablement”, 100 start-ups comprising agri-food, agri-tech, and SPS solutions have
been selected. APEDA provides handholding and mentoring support to these startups to facilitate export
enablement.In addition, APEDA organizes capacity building–cum–sensitization programmes across India on topics
related to importing country requirements, export procedures, quality standards, and regulatory
compliance for APEDA-scheduled products to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),
women entrepreneurs, stakeholders, and FPOs in accessing international market.
Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) is a capacity-building initiative of the Directorate General of Foreign
Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, aimed at promoting exports, manufacturing, and employment
generation at the grassroots level. Under the DEH initiative, export facilitation, handholding and
sensitization support, and onboarding to digital e-commerce and logistics platforms are provided, thereby
equipping exporters and MSMEs with the essential support required to effectively engage in international
trade through awareness programs.
The Government has approved the Scheme for Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with the objective of
strengthening India’s export competitiveness and providing targeted support to exporters.
According to Economic Survey 2025-26, the country has the potential to reach USD 100 billion of
combined exports of agriculture, marine products and food and beverage in the next four years. The
Government is working towards increasing the exports of agricultural and allied commodities and
increasing its share in the global trade.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh in
a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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CMC – MoFPI
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