India’s food export saga is entering into a thrilling phase. According to the Annual Report of the MoFPI for the year 2024-25, India took a share of 2.55% of the global food exports in 2022 and 1.66% of global food imports clearly indicating its net exporter status.
In FY 2023-24, India exported USD 46.43 billion worth agri-food products, which clearly announces India’s considerable importance in the global food supply chain.
However, despite this tremendous increase, modest India’s share in exports would still leave much room for entrepreneurs to make a productive move in building new ventures focused on exports in food processing and specialty and high-value products.
Read More: How to Start a Food Export Business
Current Scenario: India’s Export-Import Snapshot
India raised its share in the world food exports steadily over the last five years. For instance, India’s share in food exports rose from 2.28% to 2.55% from 2018 to 2022, while the import grew from 1.29% to 1.66%, clearly proving that India is a net exporter.
Furthermore, in 2023-24, processed food exports reached USD 10.88 billion or 23.4% of total agri-food exports. These comprise mainly rice, marine products, spices, sugar, processed fruits and vegetables, and dairy products.
Besides exports, India continues as the world’s largest rice exporter and is now among the top exporters of spices, seafood, and select dairy products.
On the other hand, India’s food imports reached USD 31.7 billion, with these imports forming 4.7% of total imports. However, imports such as cocoa, nuts, and specialty drinks and high-end dairy could show immediate potential for domestic new startups to replace imports with local, high-value alternatives.
Key Strengths: Why India Can Expand Its Global Food Exports
India has multiple advantages in the potential for increasing food exports.
- Agricultural Scale: Primary or secondary in rice, wheat, sugarcane, milk, fruit, and vegetables, India is a market leader.
- Different Climatic Zones: Hence, this allows India to harvest crops year-round and generate an exhaustive variety.
- Robust Government Support: Schemes like PMKSY, PMFME, PLISFPI, and ODOP have financial assistance and infrastructure backing.
- Improving Export Infrastructure: Meanwhile, Mega Food Parks and cold chain clusters are growing nearer to ports, which reduce logistics costs and speed up deliveries.
- Increasing Global Demand: Consumers increasingly seek plant-based, healthy, and ethically sourced foods, which India can serve quite well.
Read More: Food Processing Sector: Growth Opportunities
Opportunity Mapping: Profitable Product Lines for Startup Development
1. Rice and Specialty Grains
India is already leading in the rice export section; therefore startups can venture in ready-to-cook rice, millet mix, as well as fortified grains. The ODOP database facilitates locating rice and millet clusters with increased potential, thus easing the establishment of processing units.
Export Potential: Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East.
2. Spices and Value-Added Seasonings
India’s lead by far in spice exports but mostly sells raw and unbranded. Therefore, startups producing spice mixes, ready sauces, and seasoning cubes could penetrate the marketplace hungry for authentic Indian tastes.
Export Potential: EU, U.S., ASEAN.
Besides, premium organic labeling could better position them in customer perception.
3. Dairy and Nutraceuticals
Though India is the world’s leading nation in milk production, it exports only a small range of products. This provides an opportunity for startups to invest in concentrates of milk protein, lactose-free, and whey-based nutrition products.
Export Potential: Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia.
Aligning production to these increasing trends on global health and fitness would enhance viability for exports.
4. Seafood and Aquaculture Products
Global seafood exports by India in 2023-24 mounted up to USD 6.12 billion. Here, entrepreneurs can look at ready-to-cook fish, shrimp, seaweed snacks, and nutraceutical extracts.
Export Potential: U.S., EU, Japan.
To ensure quality and freshness of products, acquisition in cold chain technology would also be necessary.
5. Processed Fruits and Vegetables
India sees large wastage in fresh produce and young startups can try processing freeze-dried products, pulps, and purees for beverages, confectionery, and baking.
Export potential: GCC countries, East Asia.
Technologies enhancing the shelf life of products can create a little more competitive advantage.
6. Plant-Based and Functional Foods
Rising trends towards a global vegan-consumerism and wellness paving a road for upcoming startups producing kombucha, protein bars, and functional drinks.
Export Potential: Europe, North America.
Additionally, it acts as an incentive for innovation and scaling through PLISFPI benefits.
7. Cocoa-Based Products
India imports cocoa, but there is a possibility for localization of intermediate and finished products. They can manufacture bean-to-bar chocolates, cocoa butter substitutes, and cocoa blends.
Export Potential: Europe, Middle East.
Combining Indian specialties with the global view of packaging creates premium appeal.
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Government Schemes Empowering Export Startups
- PMKSY: Funds Mega Food Parks, Cold Chains, and Agro-Processing Clusters.
- PMFME: Offers 35% credit-linked subsidy and support under ODOP branding.
- PLISFPI: Incentives to value-added, export-oriented food production.
- APEDA: Provides quality certifications, market access, and export promotion.
- NABARD & State Policies: Supply low-interest loans and grants of infrastructure.
Thus, start-ups can combine the two schemes to minimize investment risk and maximize reach.
How Can NPCS You
It is Niir Project Consultancy Services (NPCS) that offers the enabling support to startups to turn around their ideas into globally competitive ventures.
For example, NPCS prepares Market Surveys and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) covering market trends, production, machinery, financial projections, and profitability.
Apart from this, NPCS takes charge of guiding the entrepreneur in areas like product selection, investment planning, plant design, and export strategy. Accordingly, startups lower risks and entice investors, and scale efficiently in India’s swift growth of the food processing sector.
Read Our Project Report: Click Here
Case Insights: Successful Indian MSMEs
- LT Foods (Daawat): From local rice to international-ready-to-eat products.
- Marico: Diversified from oils to healthy snacks and beverages.
- ITC Foods: Developed integrated farm-to-fork supply chains for exports.
- Sea6 Energy & AquAgri: Exported seaweed-based nutraceuticals.
The above examples show that branding with innovation and quality control could turn traditional agri-products agri-products into successes on international markets.
Action Plan for Startup Founders
- Smart Use of Data: Search high-potential clusters using ODOP and APEDA database.
- Increase Shelf Life: Freeze-dry, vacuum pack and have cold chain technology.
- Sustainability: Focus organic traceable and eco-friendly.
- Meet Export Standards: FSSAI, HACCP, BRC, and ISO 22000 certifications.
- Invest in Branding: Having recognized products as authentic Indian origins.
- Start Small: Use contract manufacturing before starting your brand.
- Go Digital: Amazon Global or Flipkart Wholesale or B2B platforms.
Find the Best Idea for Yourself With our Startup Selector Tool
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
India’s 2.55% share of global food exports is an achievement in many ways but also an indicator of potential that has not yet been tapped. Raw materials are plentiful, government policies supportive, and the international market buoyant, so entrepreneurs will manage to take this up to about 4-5% by 2030.
Startups can create high-margin businesses without compromising farmers, feed jobs, and build international Indian brands by adding value, innovation, and export-quality standards.
India can move from being a commodity exporter to a leader in branded, high-value food products with MoFPI schemes, APEDA guidance, and NPCS expertise.
FAQs
How much is the share of India in the current global food exports?
As of 2022, India’s share in the global food exports is 2.55%.
Which sectors are the best for establishing export potential?
Exports of rice, spices, dairy, seafood, fruits, and plant-based foods are likely to grow significantly.
How is MoFPI helping startups?
Support schemes like PMKSY, PMFME, and PLISFPI will deal with providing grants, building facilities, and giving incentives.
What NPCS does for startups?
NPCS prepares market surveys, financial projections, and feasibility studies for a start-up from planning to scaling.
Which certifications are required for export?
For compliance with global standards, startups must obtain FSSAI, HACCP, BRC, and ISO 22000 certifications.
