New Delhi: Notwithstanding logistical challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, India’s exports of agricultural and processed food products rose by more than 23 per cent in terms of USD in the first ten months of the current fiscal (April-January, 2021-22) as compared to the same period of the previous year.

The export of products under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) ambit increased from USD 15,974 million in April-January 2020-21 to USD 19,709 million during the period. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has fixed the target for exports under APEDA basket products at USD 23,713 million in 2021-22.

According to an official statement, the export of rice was the top forex earner at USD 7696 million during April-January 2021-22, growing 13 per cent over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched USD 6,793 million.

The export of wheat recorded a huge surge at USD 1742 million during April-January 2021-22, growing 387 per cent over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched USD 358 million, while other cereals registered a growth of 66 per cent by fetching USD 869 million during April-January 2021-22 over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched USD 527 million.

Meat, dairy and poultry products exports grew over 13 per cent standing at USD 3408 million in April-January 2021-22 compared to USD 3005 million in the corresponding ten-month period of 2020-21.

Fruits and vegetables exports were up by 16 per cent to touch USD 1207 million during April-January 2021-22 against USD 1037 million in April-January 2020-21, while processed fruits and vegetables exports were up by 11 per cent to reach USD 1269 million during first ten months of 2021-22 against USD 1143 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Exports of cereal preparations and other processed food items grew by 14 per cent during April-January 2021-22 to touch USD 2956 million against USD 2599 million in April-January, 2020-21. The cashew exports also grew by 11 per cent to USD 383 million in the first ten months of the current fiscal compared to the same period previous year.

“We continue to focus on creating infrastructure for boosting exports by focusing on clusters in collaboration with state governments while taking into consideration the objective of Agriculture Export Policy, 2018,” Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, said. “We are also promoting exports of Geographical Indication registered products along with those unique from the north-eastern and hilly states,” Dr Angamuthu said.

APEDA has been engaged with State Governments for the implementation of agriculture export policy. Maharashtra, UP, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, MP, Mizoram and Meghalaya have finalized the state specific action plan for exports while the action plans of other states are at different stages of finalization.

The rise in export of agricultural and processed food products has been largely due to the various initiatives taken by APEDA such as organizing B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product specific and general marketing campaigns by active involvement of Indian Embassies.

APEDA has also taken several initiatives to promote geographical indications (GI) registered agricultural and processed food products in India by organizing virtual buyer seller meets on agricultural and food products with the major importing countries across the world. In order to ensure seamless quality certification of products to be exported, APEDA has recognized 220 labs across India to provide services of testing a wide range of products to exporters.

APEDA also assists in upgradation and strengthening of recognized laboratories for export testing and residue monitoring plans. APEDA also provides assistance under the financial assistance schemes of infrastructure development, quality improvement and market development for boosting export of agricultural products.

APEDA carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes development and implementation of traceability systems which ensure the food safety and quality compliances of the importing countries. For boosting exports, APEDA compiles and disseminates various international trade analytical information, market access information amongst stakeholders and also addresses trade enquiries. /BI/