Agri, processed food exports up 7% in FY19
Overall agri and processed food exports rose to Rs 1.28 lakh crore in financial year 2019 from Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the 2017-18 fiscal.
Overall agri and processed food exports rose to Rs 1.28 lakh crore in financial year 2019 from Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the 2017-18 fiscal, according to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the nodal agency for promotion of food exports.
Dairy products saw a 72% increase to Rs 3,376 crore from Rs 1,955 crore, while pulses went up a little over 22% to Rs 1,795 crore from Rs 1,470 crore. “The growth in pulses exports was due to back-to-back bumper crop-…but this year, there will be a drop in pulses exports as there is considerable dip in production due to droughtlike conditions in Maharashtra and Gujarat,” said an agriculture department official.
The sector is, however, eyeing overall growth in farm exports following the introduction of a new agriculture export policy in December. The policy recommends diversification of the exports basket, and seeks to boost high-value and value-added agricultural exports, including perishables.
India is also looking at promoting exports of organic products, which grew 39% in 2017-18. State governments should align their organic production programme with products that have export potential, an official said.