Leveraging India's agri-export policy to dominate high-value organic and processed food markets by 2023

India’s agriculture export journey stands at a pivotal turning point. The focus is now steadily shifting from low-margin bulk commodities to high-value, organic, and processed foods. These are also the products that command premium pricing and cater to global consumer trends. This transformation is not just policy-driven but is now being operationalized across value chains through targeted government interventions, industry participation, and a growing appetite among global buyers for Indian-origin, culturally rooted, and sustainably produced foods.

Beyond the 2018 Agri Export Policy

Though the Agriculture Export Policy (AEP), introduced in 2018, provided a foundational roadmap, real momentum has come in recent years through infrastructure improvements, digital traceability tools, and export-focused reforms. India is no longer just aspiring to become a serious player in the agri-exports industry, it is now actively positioning itself as a leader in organic and processed food segments.

The implementation of Schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Food Processing at the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY) has been a notable shift. These have catalyzed private investment into food processing and value addition. These initiatives have brought state-of-the-art packaging units, decentralized processing clusters, and improved cold chain infrastructure to key agricultural belts across India. At the same time, the digitization of traceability systems like blockchain integration in spices piloted by APEDA, has significantly enhanced India’s credibility as a supplier that meets rigorous international quality standards.

Mango Exports: From Gujarat to the US

• In Odisha, mango exports from the tribal district of Dhenkanal to the UK and Italy have created a blueprint for how FPO-led, women-managed agri-export clusters can transform rural economies. Farmers involved in this initiative witnessed an income raise by ten-folds, underscoring how strategic support and export exposure can dramatically raise the value realization for Indian procedures.

Millets: India’s Nutri-Cereals as Superfoods

• Millets, often referred to as India’s “nutri-cereals” have also found their moment on the global stage. With India accounting for nearly 38% of global millet production, recent efforts under the UN-declared International Year of Millets have paid dividends. India’s millet exports reached USD 75 Million in FY 2022-23, and continue to rise, driven by growing demand in Europe, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia, promotional campaigns led by APEDA in partnership with IMR and industry stakeholders have helped position Indian millets not only as traditional staples but as modern superfoods, especially among health-conscious, urban consumers globally. 

This article was published in AgroSpectrum in July 2025. Read here.