New Delhi, May 2025 – India’s agricultural exports rose by 6.47% in FY 2024-25, reaching $51.91 billion, according to the Union Ministry of Commerce. Within this impressive growth, the dairy sector stood out with a staggering 54% jump in export value, reaffirming India’s emerging position in global value-added dairy markets.
While overall merchandise exports remained flat at $437 billion, the resilience of India’s agriculture and allied sectors signals robust global demand for Indian-origin food products—especially dairy, organic produce, and coffee.
“The growth in dairy exports is not just encouraging, it’s strategic,” said Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority). “We are well on track to reach our long-term goal of $100 billion in agri exports by 2030.”
Dairy, Organic, and Coffee Drive Premium Growth
According to APEDA data:
- Dairy product exports rose by 54%
- Organic product exports grew by 35%
- Coffee exports surged 40% to $1.8 billion
- Processed fruit and juice exports rose 6% to over $1 billion
This surge in dairy exports is attributed to rising demand for value-added dairy products such as ghee, paneer, SMP, and dairy-based nutrition supplements in key global markets, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the U.S.
“This growth underlines the global acceptance of India’s dairy quality and the success of our traceability and certification efforts,” added Dev.
Rice Remains Top Export, But Diversification Gains
Rice remains the largest agri export, accounting for 24% of India’s total with over $12.5 billion in combined basmati and non-basmati shipments. However, the expansion in dairy, organic, coffee, and processed foods indicates a shift toward value-added, premium exports—a trend policymakers aim to accelerate.
Other notable sectoral figures:
- Buffalo meat: +8.57% to $4B
- Spices: +4.84% to $4.45B
- Tobacco: +40% to $1.47B
- Tea: +12% to $924M
- Processed food: +2% to $1.68B
Import Surge, Export Restrictions, and Trade Gaps
India’s agricultural imports also hit a record high of $38.5 billion, up 17.2%, narrowing the trade surplus. Export restrictions on key staples like wheat, sugar, and cotton due to domestic production shortfalls contributed to this imbalance.
- Wheat exports fell 96%
- Sugar exports dropped 23.5%
- Cotton exports plunged 27% to $809M
This calls for a balanced export policy that supports domestic needs while enabling global competitiveness, particularly in processed and non-commodity agri segments like dairy.
Top Destinations: US, UAE, China Lead Demand
India’s agri exports in FY25 were led by:
- United States: $5.8B
- UAE: $3.4B
- China: $3.2B
- Bangladesh: $2.4B
- Saudi Arabia: $2.3B
“Dairy is poised to become a strategic export lever—especially to markets where Indian-origin products are already culturally and economically aligned,” said an APEDA official.