The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), established in 1985 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, serves as the apex organization for promoting the export of agricultural and processed food products from India. Headquartered in New Delhi, APEDA plays a pivotal role in policy advocacy, market development, capacity building, certification, and export facilitation for Indian agri-export stakeholders.
Core Business
APEDA functions as a government export promotion authority with a statutory mandate to develop and expand India's export trade in agricultural and processed food products. The organization:
- Provides financial assistance and subsidies to exporters
- Organizes international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and delegations
- Facilitates product registration, certification, traceability, and quality control
- Operates export facilitation portals and traceability platforms such as HORTINET, TRACENET, and Basmati.net
Product and Sector Coverage
APEDA’s mandate includes the export promotion and development of the following product categories:
Cereals
- Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice
- Wheat
- Maize
- Barley
Fruits & Vegetables
- Mangoes (notably Alphonso and Kesar)
- Grapes
- Bananas
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Exotic fruits and vegetables
Processed Foods
- Pickles and chutneys
- Ready-to-eat meals and snacks
- Jams, jellies, and squashes
- Frozen and dehydrated food items
Animal Products
- Frozen buffalo meat (India is the largest exporter globally)
- Poultry meat
- Dairy products
- Processed animal proteins
Organic Products
- Organic rice, pulses, spices, and herbs
- Organic fruits and vegetables
- Certified under India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
Floriculture and Seeds
- Cut flowers, potted plants
- Foliage, bulbs, and tubers
- Planting material and seeds
Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- Wine and beer
- Fruit juices, syrups, and concentrates
These sectors are supported through strategic schemes, infrastructure grants, laboratory upgrades, and branding assistance under APEDA.
Specialisation and Core USP
APEDA’s unique value lies in its comprehensive institutional framework for agricultural export support:
- Quality and safety standards aligned with Codex, EU, and USFDA norms
- National-level traceability systems such as TRACENET for organics and HORTINET for fruits
- Capacity building programs for farmers, exporters, and FPOs
- Assistance for branding Indian agricultural produce in global markets (e.g., GI tag promotions for Basmati rice, Alphonso mangoes)
APEDA is instrumental in streamlining export compliance, documentation, certifications, and training, making it easier for stakeholders to access international markets.
Financials and Export Performance
India’s agri and processed food exports under APEDA reached USD 26.7 billion in FY 2022-23, marking an all-time high. Notable export performances include:
- Basmati rice: Over USD 4.7 billion exported
- Non-basmati rice: Over USD 6 billion exported
- Buffalo meat: Over USD 3.2 billion exported
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Exceeding USD 1.5 billion in combined value
- Processed foods and RTE products: Growing at a CAGR of 15–18%
India is currently the world’s largest exporter of Basmati rice, buffalo meat, and several processed food segments, all under APEDA's oversight.
Export Facilitation and Digital Infrastructure
APEDA operates multiple traceability, compliance, and digital trade support platforms:
- TRACENET: Digital traceability for organic food exports
- HORTINET: Fruit and vegetable traceability
- Basmati.net: GI-tagged certification for Basmati exporters
- Virtual Trade Fair Portal: Online showcases of Indian food companies
- Farmer Connect Portal: Links FPOs directly with exporters and importers
These tools offer real-time certification, export registration, and market data for over 100,000 registered stakeholders.
Target Markets
India’s agricultural exports under APEDA are targeted toward:
- Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq)
- Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia)
- European Union (Germany, Netherlands, UK)
- North America (USA, Canada)
- Africa (Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya)
Specialized branding campaigns such as "Indian Mangoes in Japan", "Indian Organic in Germany", and "Basmati in the UK" have helped boost visibility and shelf presence.
Capabilities
As a government-backed organization, APEDA has unmatched capabilities in:
- Facilitating international certifications (ISO, HACCP, HALAL, FSSAI, NPOP)
- Funding cold chain infrastructure and packhouses
- Organizing reverse buyer-seller meets (RBSMs)
- Coordinating with Indian embassies and trade missions for promotional events
Their pan-India network of Regional Offices provides hands-on assistance to exporters and FPOs across all states.
Certifications and Compliance
APEDA enforces and facilitates the following:
- GI certification for region-specific exports
- EU/NOP compliance for organic exports
- Residue Monitoring Plans (RMPs) for compliance with importing country standards
- Food Safety and Quality Management Training
These ensure that Indian agricultural products meet stringent import regulations globally.
Stakeholder Testimonials
“Thanks to APEDA’s TRACENET system, our organic mangoes reached Europe with full certification and traceability.”
– Organic Fruit Exporter, Maharashtra
“Participation in the APEDA-led international exhibitions helped us secure long-term clients from the Gulf.”
– Basmati Rice Exporter, Punjab
Major Achievements
- Supported India in becoming the world’s largest rice exporter
- Successfully operationalized GI-tag-based Basmati rice export certification
- Facilitated the launch of India’s first traceability system for organic exports
- Enabled thousands of FPOs and SMEs to begin agri exports
- Led India's participation in ANUGA, SIAL, Gulfood, Biofach, and more
With its integrated approach to policy, infrastructure, quality, and market linkage, APEDA stands as the cornerstone of India’s agri-export success story, continuously supporting exporters and promoting Brand India across the globe.
