Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has urged stakeholders in the food, agriculture, and hospitality sectors to collaborate in making India the top global exporter of agricultural and processed foods. Goyal highlighted India’s current status as the seventh largest exporter of agricultural produce worldwide, with annual exports exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore. Over the past 11 years, India has seen significant growth in agri and food exports, with processed foods increasing fourfold, fruit and pulses exports tripling, and cereal exports doubling.
Goyal expressed confidence that India can achieve the top position in agricultural and processed food exports globally. He emphasized aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India to become the “food basket of the world.” The Minister noted that India’s nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the last three and a half years have opened doors to 38 developed countries, offering vast market opportunities for Indian exporters. These agreements cover nearly two-thirds of global trade, making India an attractive investment destination and facilitating integration into global value chains.
Goyal assured that while negotiating FTAs, the government has safeguarded the interests of domestic stakeholders, especially farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs. Sensitive sectors like dairy and genetically modified products have been protected, and key agricultural commodities have been safeguarded in trade negotiations. The Minister encouraged industry stakeholders to raise awareness about how India’s FTAs protect national interests while expanding international trade opportunities.
Encouraging farmers and entrepreneurs to leverage the Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Goyal emphasized the importance of focusing on food processing and value addition to access higher-value global markets. He highlighted the increasing participation of small enterprises in the food processing sector, creating new growth and employment opportunities. The Minister announced that the 40th edition of ‘AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair’ will be open to the public on March 13, with Italy as the partner country, showcasing the strengths of India’s food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.
