India records nearly 22 pc rise in export of agri and processed food products in April-August
New Delhi, Sep 21 (Mayank Nigam) In a major boost to export prospects of agricultural produce, India has achieved a significant increase of 21.8 per cent in export of agricultural and processed food products in 2021-22 (April-August) in comparison to the corresponding period of 2020-21, a statement said on Tuesday. According to the Quick Estimates released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), the overall export of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the products witnessed 21.8 per cent growth in terms of USD during April-August 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year. The overall export of APEDA products increased from USD 6485 million in April-August 2020 to USD 7902 million in April-August 2021.
The rise in exports has been achieved notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions. The significant spike in agri-exports is seen as a testimony of the government’s commitment to increase farmers’ income through thrust on boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products of the country. The huge jump in exports of agricultural and processed food products during the first five months of the current fiscal is in continuation of the growth in exports witnessed in the financial year 2020-21. According to World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s trade map, with the total agri-exports of USD 37 billion in the year 2019, India is ranked at 9th position in the world ranking. The export of rice, which recorded a positive growth of 13.7 per cent, increased from USD 3359 million in April-August 2020 to USD 3820 million in April-August 2021.
As per the Quick Estimates, the exports of fresh fruits and vegetables registered a 6.1 per cent growth in terms of USD, while shipment of processed food products like cereals preparations and miscellaneous processed items reported a growth of 41.9 pc. In April-August 2020-21, fresh fruits and vegetables were exported to the tune of USD 1013 million which rose to USD 1075 million in April-August 2021-22. India reported a significant 142.1 per cent jump in export of other cereals while the export of meat, dairy and poultry products witnessed an increase 31.1 per cent in the first five months of the current fiscal (2021-22). The export of other cereals increased from USD 157 million in April-August 2020 to USD 379 million in April-August 2021 and the export of meat, dairy and poultry products increased from USD 1185 million in April-August 2020 to USD 1554 million in April-August 2021. The cashew export witnessed a growth of 28.5 percent in April-August 2021 as the export of cashew rose from USD 144 million in April-August 2020 to USD 185 million in April-August 2021.
The initiatives taken by APEDA, which functions under the Ministry of Commerce, has helped the country achieve this milestone at a time when most of the business activities suffered a huge setback due to the restrictions imposed after the outbreak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in export of agricultural and processed food products is because of APEDA’s various initiatives taken for the export promotion of agricultural and processed food products such as organizing B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product specific and general marketing campaigns by the active involvement of Indian Embassies, an official release said.