We are confident agriculture exports will be resilient: APEDA chairman Abhishek Deo

Exports of APEDA-monitored products stood at $28.5 billion in FY 025 and 6 per cent of these went to the US.
| Photo Credit:
Soichiro Koriyama

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) expects sustained growth in agricultural exports in FY 2026 with the opening of new markets and signing of free trade agreements with countries including the UK, chairman Abhishek Dev said on Friday.

While 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports to US have added to concerns, Dev remains optimistic. “We are confident that our exports will be resilient,” Dev said on the sidelines of SIAL India exhibition in Mumbai.

APEDA, which is a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is engaged in export promotion and development of products such as rice, fruits, vegetables, pulses, buffalo meat, dairy products among others.

Exports of APEDA-monitored products stood at $28.5 billion in FY 025 and 6 per cent of these went to the US.

“In the first three months, we have seen 28 per cent growth in exports to the US. Now, it all depends on the future situation and what is the overall stance of US government in continuation of tariffs. However, we are confident our exports will be resilient,” Dev said.

“We are working closely with exporters. Right now, our main strategy is diversification which includes increasing exports in existing markets and finding new markets,” he said. 

Initiatives include hosting buyer-seller meets — SIAL Mumbai drew participants from 28 countries. More such events are planned, including Bharat International Rice Conference in October-end. While a good amount of basmati rice exports has already taken place to the US, new markets are being tapped such as Philippines, Japan and countries in West Asia.

“Last year we were successful in exporting pomegranates to Australia. We are getting lot of queries for export of bananas to Russia,” he said.

Signing of FTAs with UK and four European countries is improving access for Indian products and new trade deals are in pipeline. Under the India UK trade deal tariffs on 95 per cent of agricultural products have been removed. “ Definitely there will be a positive impact,” Dev said.

Published on August 29, 2025