-KH News Desk(cbedit@imaws.org)
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of India recently participated in the International Food & Drink Exhibition (IFE) in London. The event aimed to promote the export of Indian agricultural products into the international market. Indian exporters showcased their range of food products at the APEDA pavilion, including around 50 millet-based products that attracted a lot of interest from visitors. India is celebrating the International Year of Millets 2023, and APEDA is actively promoting millets in foreign markets by organizing promotional events and participating in global food exhibitions.
APEDA has exported quality food products to around 250 countries across the globe, including the United Kingdom. In the fiscal year 2021-22, India achieved a huge export target of USD 25 billion for APEDA products. APEDA is vying to meet the export target of USD 30 billion for the year 2022-23. The United Kingdom is a favored destination for the export of Indian agricultural products, and APEDA has exported various agricultural products worth USD 421 million in the year 2021-22 to the United Kingdom.
The main agricultural food products exported to different countries, including the United Kingdom, are basmati rice, buffalo meat, non-basmati rice, coarse grains, maize, groundnut, wheat, cereal preparation, processed vegetables, fresh fruits & vegetables, alcoholic beverages, coarse grains, etc. India has exported around 13000 MT of Indian grapes, 4000 MT of mangoes, 5000 MT of onion, 2500 MT of millets, to 1310 Million MT of basmati rice to the United Kingdom.
APEDA is focusing on promoting millets in foreign markets and recently organized the Global Millets Conference in New Delhi to stimulate the exports of millets from India and provide market linkage to the producers. Around 100 Indian millet exhibitors from different parts of the country and around 100 international buyers from various countries participated in the conference.
To boost consumption of value-added products based on millets, APEDA has incubated more than 200 start-ups in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, and respective state Agricultural universities. These start-ups are developing a range of millet-based value-added products.
APEDA is participating in various events and exhibitions to showcase its range of food products and is also promoting millet to boost consumption and export. APEDA is working towards meeting its export target of USD 30 billion for the year 2022-23 and is optimistic about the growth potential of India’s agricultural exports.
