Parliament Question: Increase in export of processed food

GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3907 ANSWERED ON 27TH MARCH, 2026 "INCREASE IN EXPORT OF PROCESSED FOOD" 3907 # SHRI PRADIP KUMAR VARMA:

Will the Minister of Food Processing Industries be pleased to state:

(a) the total export value of the processed food products from India in the last three years;

(b) the number of major export destination countries;

(c) the Central schemes implemented for food export promotion; and

(d) the food export growth targets in the coming years? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) 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 13078.4 10881.8 10097.97

Chapter 16-23)

Source: DGCIS, Kolkata

(b) Major food export destination countries for India are USA, UAE, Bangladesh, State of Libya, Sudan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Thailand, Tanzania, etc.

(c) 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’sexport-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.

(d) 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.

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