West Asia continues to be a crucial market for Indian agricultural exports, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total farm exports, the government told Parliament. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, highlighted the importance of West Asian countries for India’s agricultural trade and the government’s close monitoring of the region amid evolving geopolitical developments.
Prasada pointed out that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries—including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain—alongside nations such as Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, are key destinations for Indian farm products. In 2024-25, exports of agricultural products to these countries were valued at USD 10.68 billion, representing approximately 20.5 per cent of India’s overall agricultural exports.
The minister noted that India’s agricultural exports to West Asia are broad-based, encompassing a wide range of products sourced from across the country. This includes cereals, animal products, basmati rice, buffalo meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, and processed food items, reflecting sustained demand for Indian produce in the region.
Prasada also stated that the government is closely monitoring the impact of the geopolitical situation in West Asia and the Gulf on India’s trade, shipping routes, and logistics chains. Exporters have reported challenges such as higher freight rates, war-risk surcharges, container shortages, delays in shipments, and congestion at ports. The government continues to track these developments to support exporters and maintain the smooth flow of trade.
In a separate response, Prasada provided insights into processed food exports. He stated that between 2020-21 and 2024-25, exports of processed food products to the European Union increased by about 49.5 per cent, while exports to West Asian countries grew by approximately 18 per cent. These figures indicate that India’s processed food sector has steadily expanded in both traditional and emerging markets.
The minister’s statement underscores the significance of West Asia for India’s agricultural sector and highlights the government’s proactive measures to monitor risks, support exporters, and safeguard trade relations with this strategically important region. |
