India’s agricultural exports to hit $55 bn by 2025; Piyush Goyal says no concessions on sugar imports
New Delhi, Mar 10: India’s agricultural exports are projected to reach $55 billion by 2025, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday, highlighting the growing global demand for Indian farm and food products and the government’s push to make agriculture more export-oriented.
Speaking at an industry event, Goyal said the target reflects strong growth in the country’s agri and processed food exports over the past decade. He noted that India’s agricultural shipments have expanded significantly with rising exports of cereals, fruits, pulses, and processed foods, supported by better market access through free trade agreements and increased value addition in the sector.
The minister also made it clear that India will not grant tariff concessions on sugar imports under any trade agreement, stressing that the government is committed to protecting domestic farmers and the country’s sugar industry from foreign competition.
Goyal said India has taken a cautious approach in trade negotiations to safeguard sensitive agricultural sectors. Products such as genetically modified crops, dairy, rice, wheat, meat, poultry and sugar have largely been kept outside tariff concession frameworks to ensure that local farmers and producers are not adversely affected by cheaper imports.
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He emphasized that strengthening agricultural exports remains a key pillar of India’s economic strategy. The government is encouraging stakeholders across the food, agriculture and hospitality sectors to collaborate and boost production, processing and global marketing of Indian produce.
According to the minister, expanding export opportunities, improving supply chains and focusing on high-value agricultural products could help India move closer to its broader ambition of becoming a global leader in agricultural and processed food exports in the coming years.
The government believes that a stronger export-oriented farm sector will also create rural employment, enhance farmer incomes and strengthen India’s position in global food markets.
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