“Demand for Indian Potatoes and Vegetables soaring high in the markets of Different Countries of the World.”
Why an increase in demand?
What magic have the Potatoes and Vegetables of India created?
Potato, Fruits, vegetables, spices, grains, pulses, and other crops thrive in India. Potato is one of the main food crops in India. India has been scaling new heights in the business of Fresh Fruits. India’s diverse climate ensures the availability of all varieties of fresh fruits & vegetables. India is said to be the second-largest potato exporter in the world and exports potatoes to more than 30 countries around the world. Most of the exported potatoes from India are grown in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Gujarat. Potato import from India is conducted to several countries with Nepal being the largest importer of potatoes.
In 1950-51, India’s Vegetable export was about Rs 149 crore (US$ 21.14 million) which has risen to the level of Rs 2.53 lakh crore (US$ 35.89 billion) in 2019-20. There has been a substantial increase in the export of almost all agricultural items in the last 15 years. While the agricultural imports as a percentage of India’s agricultural GDP have declined from 5.7 percent to 4.9 percent indicating an exportable surplus and decreased dependence on the import of agricultural products in India.
The one and only reason the exports of Indian potatoes and vegetables have become a reliable name all over the world is our strict emphasis on the quality of our food products. The product quality has been improved and strictly conformed to international quality norms.
Major Export Destinations for Tomatoes from the region as per the past trends are Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh & Maldives. India produces roughly 5.5 million MT of onions. 2/3rd comes from Western Region and the balance is from the South and East regions. Over the last 2 years, Indian onions have found entry to other countries than Singapore, UAE, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.
The total volume of potatoes imported by Singapore from the rest of the world is very less to make it a lucrative market for any potential export.
Onions grown in India are very much in demand in Gulf Countries and Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh because of their strong pungency. Small onions produced in Andhra Pradesh are exported from Chennai port to Singapore and Malaysia, and multiplier onions to Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, etc. The other major export destinations are United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.
“Asia is a market which holds great potential for our potato industry,” says Rob Burns, head of crops export trade development at the AHDB. “We are seeing increased demand for potato products.”
In 2019, potato export shipments rose by 4.9% to 15M tones rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. As per global customs data, the total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2007 to 2019, however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. We are exporting potatoes to more than 30 countries around the world. Nepal is the biggest potato export partner of India and recorded USD 21.89 million in 2017 which accounted for 44.8% of the total value.
Self-sufficiency being the aim of the country to achieve has led to such an increase in exports of potatoes and vegetables. Constant improvement in the agricultural equipment and facilities has created wonder in the world
Even during the difficult time of the pandemic lockdown, India took care not to disturb the world food supply chain and continued to export. Amid the nationwide lockdown, when most economic activities have come to a grinding halt, Varanasi brings a glimmer of hope. For the first time, a farmer’s of the Kashi region has exported four tonnes of green vegetables including chili, cucumber, and gourd to London via Delhi. So here we have continued our exports during the time of the Lockdown even to many Asian Countries.
“The export demand is 20% higher than the pre-Covid levels. We noticed that in the first quarter of 2020-21, there was an increase in the consumption of vegetables in most of the export markets compared to non-vegetarian food. Also, the increase in the frequency of flights by Air India, Spice Jet, British Airways, and Gulf carriers, leading to a drop in freight rates, helped exporters,” Awari said.
India is the only major Asian nation that is growing its export share in vegetables.
“Our biggest advantage is that our product basket and market basket are both quite diversified,” said Rakesh Mohan Joshi, a professor at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi. Indian exporters also earned goodwill as they had ensured steady supply even when freight rates were high, unlike countries such as Egypt, China, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic, said Sunil Awari, GM at Bengaluru-based Namdhari Farm Fresh.
We have developed a large network of clientele that is spread all across the globe. Some of the major countries where we export are London, Singapore, U.S.A, Nepal, Malaysia, etc. Many vegetables are included in the export of vegetables from India like Onion, Broccoli, Brinjal, Spinach, cabbage, Green chilies so on, and so forth. The country mainly exports onions and green peas to the countries of the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Qatar, and other countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America
The Indian exotic vegetable market is supported by the overall Indian potatoes’ fruits and vegetable market, which reached a volume of almost 322 million metric tons in 2020. The Indian potato, fruit, and vegetable industry are further expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% between 2021 and 2026 to reach a volume of almost 432 million metric tons by 2026.
The exotic vegetable industry in India is being aided by the growing demand for exotic produce, which is growing by 15% to 20% per annum. World Vegetables account for over half of the total market share of Indian fruits and vegetables.
Self-reliant agriculture is which will help us achieve the goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. With this aim in mind of the farmers, government, and exporters, we are on to achieve the number one position in the export of potatoes and vegetables in the world.
