Top Agricultural Products Exported from India

India’s agricultural sector is crucial not only to feed the domestic population but also to link up with the global food markets. The variety of the country’s climate and the richness of its soil make it possible to grow many crops, which are later exported to other countries. India has become one of the main food suppliers in the world, and it exports marine products, rice, which includes Basmati and non-Basmati, spices, buffalo meat, and sugar to other countries.

1. Marine Products

Marine products lead as the biggest agricultural item that India exports, with a total quantity of exports reaching 1,819,663.54 metric tons valued at $7,366.98 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Indian coastal lines and marine biodiversity are the two main factors that are helping the country reach out to the global fish market. Species such as shrimp, fish, and crab are very popular and export revenue for the country is huge owing to their demand in foreign markets. Thanks to the worldwide reputation that India has built for marine products, this niche plays a crucial role in the country’s exports.

2. Rice

Basmati Rice

This quality rice is known for its unique aroma and subtle flavor, which makes it very much a favorite among rice lovers all over the world. Basmati rice is mostly growing in the northern parts of India and it is well-dried for a while before milling to gaining the quality rice. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India exported a total of 5,242,511.00 metric tons of Basmati rice, equaling to $5,837.13 million. The leading importers of basmati rice from India are mainly the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

Non-Basmati Rice

Similarly, India also ships big quantities of non-Basmati rice varieties, such as long-grain varieties like IR64 and short-grain varieties like Sona Masuri. These are widespread as staple foods in the world, and they are also known for their cheapness and versatility. In the fiscal year 2023-24, non-Basmati rice export volume reached 11,116,713.00 metric tons, amounting to $4,570.05 million in revenue.

3. Spices

The label “Land of Spices” is justified by the fact that in the fiscal year 2023-24, spice exports were able to touch 1,415,230.67 metric tons in production and the revenue brought in amounted to $4,245.99 million. Indian spices such as turmeric, pepper, cumin, and cardamom are known for high quality and intense flavor. Cooking with spices is not only good for the flavor but also offers a variety of health benefits; consequently, the demand for Indian spices is increasing day by day.

4. Buffalo Meat

India is among the top commodity exporters when it comes to buffalo meat, whose exports were at 1,295,601.00 metric tons, amounting to $3,740.16 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Buffalo meat is among the best meat types that come in lean forms and are rich in all the necessary nutrients. The export of this type of meat is mostly transported to the countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, which are the main users of regular dishes containing it.

5. Sugar

The country’s sugar business has undergone a series of ups and downs in recent years. According to reports for the period of 2023-24, revenues from sugar exports were at the level of 4,360,622.00 metric tons with transactions of $2,822.25 million. Nevertheless, the mills from India are poised to export approximately 2 million metric tons in the season to come due to their enhanced supply prospects and the plummeting local prices locally. This phenomenon is supposed to balance out global sugar prices since increased supply from India would offset the lower shipments of other major suppliers.

6. Oil Meals

Oil meals, a waste product left after extracting oil from seeds, is another big export item. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India shipped 4,272,894.00 metric tons of oil meals estimated at $1,712.28 million. As far as these are concerned, they are animal feeds that are very often used in countries with large livestock industries.

7. Coffee

Whereas the number was only 297,910.36 metric tons in the fiscal year 2023-24, India has at present been sending out as much as $1,285.54 million worth of coffee beans. Indian coffee, the main ones being Arabica and Robusta, has its own best taste.

End Note

India’s agricultural exports play a significant role in the global market, strengthening the country’s economy and international trade. With a diverse range of export products, from rice and spices to marine goods and meat, India continues to be a key player in agricultural trade worldwide. The country’s ability to meet global demand while maintaining quality standards has contributed to its strong position in agricultural exports. Going forward, continuous advancements in farming practices, infrastructure, and trade policies will further bolster India’s presence in international agricultural markets.