India’s exports of agricultural and processed food products have experienced a significant 13 percent increase, reaching $22.67 billion during the April-February period of the current financial year.
According to the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, rice exports—including both basmati and non-basmati varieties—saw a substantial 21 percent jump, rising to over $11 billion from $9.32 billion during the same period last year. The increase comes after the government began easing restrictions on rice exports in September 2024, following a strong crop forecast. These restrictions were initially imposed in 2023 to curb domestic food inflation caused by a poor monsoon and crop shortages.
With the restrictions now lifted, rice exports surged by 13.21 percent in February 2025, reaching $1.19 billion compared to $1.05 billion in February 2024.
India’s tea exports have also hit a 10-year high, reaching 255 million kilograms in 2024, despite facing challenges from global geopolitical tensions. The Tea Board of India’s data shows a robust 10 percent increase from the previous year’s 231.69 million kilograms, marking a positive trend for the industry.
The price of Indian tea in international markets also rose by 10 percent, providing much-needed relief to the tea sector, which was affected by adverse weather conditions in 2023. Indian exporters capitalized on market opportunities in West Asia when Sri Lanka’s crop was low, and have successfully maintained strong shipment volumes to those regions.
India is one of the top five tea exporters globally, accounting for about 10 percent of total world tea exports. Its Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri teas are regarded as some of the finest globally, with black tea making up the majority of exports (approximately 96 percent). Other varieties, including regular tea, green tea, herbal tea, masala tea, and lemon tea, also contribute to the country’s diverse tea export portfolio.
India’s major tea export markets include the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Russia, the US, and the UK, and the increase in both export volumes and average prices bodes well for the country’s position as a global leader in tea production and export.
(With IANS inputs)
