India's Agri, Food Exports Jump 7% to $5.96 Billion in Q1 FY26

India's agricultural and processed food exports rose 7% year-on-year to $5.96 billion in Q1 FY26, driven by strong shipments of rice, meat, fruits, and vegetables.

Rice exports, comprising both basmati and non-basmati varieties, rose by 3.5% to $2.9 billion in the April–June quarter. In FY25, rice exports had reached an all-time high of $12.47 billion, marking a growth of over 20% compared to FY24.

India, which commands over 40% of the global rice market, has retained its position as the world’s leading rice exporter for more than a decade.

Exports of meat, dairy, and poultry products rose by over 17% to $1.18 billion in the April–June quarter, while shipments of fruits and vegetables grew 13% to $0.95 billion.

According to officials, global demand for Indian buffalo meat continues to climb, driven by its high quality and nutritional value. India has emerged as the world’s second-largest exporter of buffalo meat, with major markets including Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Exports under the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) basket reached $25.14 billion in FY25, reflecting a growth of over 12% from the previous year. These exports accounted for around 51% of the country’s total agricultural shipments.

Other key agricultural exports beyond the APEDA basket include marine products, tobacco, coffee, and tea.

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