India’s fruit and vegetable exports have surged by an impressive 47.3% in the last five years, thanks to the financial assistance schemes provided by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
In fiscal year 2023-24, India’s fresh produce reached 123 countries, marking a significant expansion in global markets. Over the past three years, Indian fruits and vegetables have entered 17 new markets, including Brazil, Georgia, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Czech Republic, and Ghana, among others.
This remarkable growth has been achieved through various measures such as participation in international trade fairs, active market access negotiations, and organizing buyer-seller meets, as highlighted by the ministry.
APEDA, under the Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26), provides financial assistance to its member exporters across the country. These initiatives have resulted in a 47.3% increase in the volume of fruit and vegetable exports between 2019-20 and 2023-24. In terms of value, the growth stands at 41.5% over the past five years.
The leading states producing fruits and vegetables in India include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Karnataka.
The Department of Commerce is closely coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to prioritize agriculture products for market access negotiations. As a result, India has achieved new market access for several commodities in the last three years.
Indian potatoes and onions are now available in Serbia; baby corn and fresh bananas in Canada; pomegranate arils in Australia, USA, Serbia, and New Zealand; and whole pomegranates in Australia via irradiation treatment.
