Top Agricultural Products Exported from India

The top agricultural products exported from India include rice (basmati and non-basmati), marine products, spices, buffalo meat, sugar and coffee.

In FY 2025-26, India's agricultural exports reached a record USD 52.55 billion, up 2.8% from USD 51.12 billion in FY 2024-25. Rice remained the largest export category at USD 11.5 billion, while marine products saw the strongest growth, rising 13.4% to USD 8.4 billion.

This guide looks at India's top agricultural exports using official data. It also explains what these numbers mean for importers and exporters.

Key Takeaways

• India's agricultural exports reached a record USD 52.55 billion in FY 2025-26.

• Rice remained India's largest agricultural export at USD 11.5 billion.

• Marine products recorded strong growth, reaching USD 8.4 billion.

• The ranking can change depending on whether basmati and non-basmati rice are counted separately or together.

• APEDA covers only part of India's total agricultural exports.

• Food safety, testing and residue requirements are becoming increasingly important for exporters.

• African markets, including Tanzania, offer opportunities for Indian agricultural suppliers.

India's Top 10 Agricultural Exports by Value

APEDA's Agri Export Overview provides a detailed ranking for FY 2024-25.

Rank	Product	FY 2024-25 (USD bn)
1	Marine products	7.41
2	Non-basmati rice	6.53
3	Basmati rice	5.94
4	Spices	4.45
5	Buffalo meat	4.06
6	Sugar	2.16
7	Coffee	1.81
8	Miscellaneous processed items	1.68
9	Unmanufactured tobacco	1.48
10	Oil meals	1.34

In FY 2024-25, India's agricultural exports were worth USD 51.91 billion out of total merchandise exports of USD 437.70 billion. This means agricultural products made up about 11.86% of India's merchandise exports.

FY 2025-26: What Changed In Agri Exports From India?

The Department of Commerce reported the following figures for some of India's major agricultural exports in FY 2025-26:

• Rice: USD 11.5 billion, remaining India's largest agricultural export.

• Marine products: USD 8.4 billion, up 13.4% from USD 7.4 billion.

• Spices: USD 4.3 billion.

The main change is the strong growth in marine exports, which has reduced the gap between rice and marine products.

Rice: India's Largest Agricultural Export

Rice remains India's biggest agricultural export.

In FY 2024-25, basmati and non-basmati rice together were worth about USD 12.47 billion, based on APEDA's figures of USD 6.53 billion for non-basmati rice and USD 5.94 billion for basmati rice.

The FY 2025-26 figure of USD 11.5 billion suggests that rice exports declined. However, the two government releases use slightly different figures and categories, so this comparison should be treated as a general trend rather than an exact year-on-year comparison.

Even with this change, rice remains India's largest agricultural export.

Marine Products: One of the Fastest-Growing Categories

Marine product exports reached USD 8.4 billion in FY 2025-26, up 13.4% from the previous year.

Shrimp is one of India's most important marine exports. The Department of Commerce expects India's trade agreements with the UK, EU, EFTA, Australia, New Zealand, Oman and UAE to create more opportunities for shrimp and other value-added seafood products.

However, marine products also face strict quality and food safety requirements. One important concern is antibiotic residue, which importing countries closely monitor.

Spices: A Stable Export Category

India exported spices worth USD 4.45 billion in FY 2024-25 and USD 4.3 billion in FY 2025-26.

Some of India's major spice exports include turmeric, chilli, cumin and pepper.

Unlike marine products, spices have not seen a major jump in export value. The category has remained relatively stable.

The government sees new trade agreements as an opportunity to increase exports of spices, nutraceutical ingredients and traditional food products. For buyers, food safety and quality standards remain important when sourcing spices from India.

Buffalo Meat, Sugar and Coffee

Buffalo meat exports were worth USD 4.06 billion in FY 2024-25. It was one of India's largest agricultural export categories that year.

Sugar exports were worth USD 2.16 billion. Sugar exports are strongly influenced by government policies, so export volumes can change depending on domestic supply and export rules.

Coffee exports reached USD 1.81 billion in FY 2024-25, putting coffee ahead of unmanufactured tobacco and oil meals.

Why India's No. 1 Agricultural Export Depends on How You Count

You may see different answers when looking for India's largest agricultural export.

Many rankings list marine products as number one because basmati and non-basmati rice are counted as separate categories.

But if you combine both types of rice, rice becomes the largest category:

• Basmati + non-basmati rice: about USD 12.47 billion

• Marine products: USD 7.41 billion

So both rankings can be correct. The difference comes down to how the products are grouped.

What APEDA's Numbers Do Not Cover

APEDA monitors only part of India's agricultural exports.

Its products were worth USD 27.90 billion out of India's total agricultural exports of USD 51.91 billion in FY 2024-25. That is roughly half of the total.

Marine products and spices are handled by other organisations, including the Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Spices Board of India.

This means APEDA's data should not be treated as the complete picture of India's agricultural exports.

For example, marine products and spices are two of India's biggest agricultural export categories, but they appear outside some APEDA-only rankings.

Where Does India Export Agricultural Products?

India's major agricultural export destinations include the USA, UAE, China, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Iraq, Malaysia, Indonesia and Benin, according to APEDA's export data.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and the USA are important markets for India's agricultural products. Benin also appears among the top destinations, showing the growing importance of African markets for Indian agricultural exports.

India and Tanzania: The Agricultural Trade Opportunity

India and Tanzania already have a strong trading relationship.

According to the High Commission of India in Dar es Salaam, bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 9.02 billion in 2025-26.

India exports several products to Tanzania, including sugar, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, vehicles and machinery.

Tanzania also exports products to India, including cashew nuts, pulses and spices, particularly cloves.

This two-way trade means Tanzanian buyers are already familiar with Indian suppliers and products. For a new exporter, this can make it easier to build trust and start a business relationship.

How Much More Can India's Agricultural Exports Grow?

India has a large agricultural sector, but its share of global agricultural trade is still relatively small.

Global agricultural trade was worth USD 2.46 trillion in 2024. India exported USD 52.26 billion worth of agricultural products, giving it a 2.20% share of global agricultural trade and placing India ninth in the world, according to WTO figures shared by APEDA.

This leaves room for further growth.

One major opportunity is in processed and value-added agricultural products, rather than only exporting raw commodities. New markets created through India's trade agreements can also help Indian exporters reach more international buyers.

At Ashadhan Exim, we supply agricultural products, including turmeric and spices, along with other product categories, to international and domestic buyers. Contact us to discuss product specifications, packaging and shipping requirements.