Apr-Jan farm, processed food exports rise 3.3%

Rice exports dip 7.5%, shipments of buffalo meat robust

- SANDIP DAS

INDIA'S EXPORTS OF agricultural and processed food products grew a modest 3.3% year-on-year (YoY) to $20.99 billion during April-January of the current fiscal, as rice, which has the biggest share in the country's agri-products exports basket, declined due to geopolitical factors.

Exports of rice, including both basmati and non-basmati varieties, fell 7.5% on year to $9.33 billion during the April-January period of FY26. In January 2026, India — the world’s largest rice exporter — shipped rice worth $1.03 billion, marking a 25% YoY decline.

“Amid geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran over the past year, India’s rice exports to Iran faced disruptions, although some recovery has been observed recently,” Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice president, the basmati rice millers and exporters association, Punjab, told FE.