India's Fresh Fruit Export Jumps 29% Spreads To 111 Countries

Processed vegetables experienced a 24 per cent export surge during this period, followed by miscellaneous processed items. Fresh vegetables also saw significant growth compared to the previous year

Fresh fruits have shown remarkable growth in India's agricultural export basket, surging by 29 per cent during the nine months from April to December 2023, according to the latest data compiled by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). During this period, India's fresh fruits have expanded their market presence to 111 countries, up from 102 destinations the previous year, solidifying their position in the category of exports valued at $ 100 million or more. 

Additionally, from April to November 2023, several key commodities experienced significant growth compared to the previous year, including bananas with a 63 per cent increase and kesar and dasheri mangoes with growth rates of 120 per cent and 140 per cent, respectively. Lentils (dried and shelled) saw a growth of 110 per cent, while fresh eggs surged by 160 per cent.

From April to December 2023, the export value of Basmati rice surged by 19 per cent, reaching  $ 3.97 billion compared to $ 3.33 billion in the previous year. Concurrently, the export quantity witnessed a notable 11 per cent growth, rising from 31.98 lakh metric tons to 35.43 lakh metric tons within the same timeframe. Top markets for Basmati rice exports included Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UAE. This strong performance highlights the enduring popularity and global demand for Basmati rice, consolidating its status as an essential agricultural product in India's export portfolio.

Additionally, processed vegetables experienced a 24 per cent export surge during this period, followed by miscellaneous processed items. Fresh vegetables also saw significant growth compared to the previous year. 

Among the 23 Principal Commodities (PCs) in APEDA's export basket, 18 exhibited positive growth during April-December 2023. Notably, 13 out of 15 large PCs, with exports exceeding $ 100 million in the previous year, experienced positive growth, averaging a growth rate of 12 per cent.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, India's agricultural exports reached $ 53.1 billion, with APEDA's commodity basket contributing a significant 51 per cent of India's agri-exports.