Export-Import Performance of Major Agricultural Commodities in India

Abstract

Recent trends in the international trade scenario and related shifts in India’s foreign trade policy have had far-reaching consequences for India’s general agricultural sector and, in particular, for agricultural exports. The Indian product of agriculture has played an important part in the global product of agriculture. For many agricultural commodities, India used to be the key export spot. The present study established the growth and output of agricultural exports from India during the time (2000-2019). India is the top tenth exporter of agricultural products in the world. Top exports comprise sugar, beef, rice, and shrimp. Export of principal agricultural products including rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, fruits, and vegetables are ‘free’ whereas export of pulses (excluding chickpea) and edible vegetable oil in bulk (excluding coconut and rice bran oils) are ‘restricted’ to meet domestic demand. Indian agricultural exports have increased, but the proportion of agricultural exports to the country’s overall exports has decreased. The research also explores the evolving behavior of the allocation of each category of commodities to the overall agricultural export basket. It covers the major agricultural products/crops which, over different periods, contribute to the maximum share of total agricultural exports (2000-2019). Higher agricultural exports would mean better price realization for farmers, increased awareness regarding good agricultural practices, and consequently thrust for quality also.