India's agricultural exports monitored by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) surged approximately 14% year-on-year in the April–June quarter of the current financial year, reaching $7.641 billion compared to $6.711 billion in the same period last year, according to APEDA data reported by The Hindu BusinessLine.
The growth was powered by robust demand for buffalo meat and non-basmati rice. Buffalo meat (carabeef) exports jumped 66% in value terms to $1.49 billion ($896.82 million in Q1 last year), while in volume terms shipments rose 32% to 3.4 lakh tonnes from 2.57 lakh tonnes. Non-basmati rice exports grew 12% in value to $1.59 billion ($1.41 billion), with volumes increasing 32% to 4.38 million tonnes from 3.32 million tonnes.
Key Q1 export performers
The table below shows the year-on-year change in value for major APEDA-monitored product categories during the April–June quarter.
| Product | Q1 FY27 Value ($ million) | Q1 FY26 Value ($ million) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo meat | 1,490.00 | 896.82 | +66% |
| Non-basmati rice | 1,590.00 | 1,410.00 | +12% |
| Basmati rice | 1,440.00 | 1,490.00 | -3% |
| Miscellaneous processed items | 470.70 | 413.00 | +14% |
| Pulses | 363.77 | 238.75 | +52% |
| Processed vegetables | 207.61 | 204.69 | +1% |
| Fresh vegetables | 175.46 | 197.57 | -11% |
| Fresh fruits | 281.11 | 324.87 | -13% |
| Dairy products | 171.27 | 182.22 | -6% |
| Groundnut | 164.19 | 180.27 | -9% |
| Guargum | 149.53 | 166.15 | -10% |
| Poultry products | 53.73 | 73.26 | -27% |
Basmati rice and other declining segments
Basmati rice, a premium variety, saw a 3% decline in value to $1.44 billion ($1.49 billion) on reduced volumes. Shipment volumes dropped to 15.39 lakh tonnes from 17.32 lakh tonnes. Other products that registered declines include fresh fruits (down 13% to $281.11 million), dairy products (down 6% to $171.27 million), groundnut (down 9% to $164.19 million), guargum (down 10% to $149.53 million), fresh vegetables (down 11% to $175.46 million), and poultry products (down 27% to $53.73 million).
Pulses and processed items gain
Pulses exports posted a 52% increase in value to $363.77 million ($238.75 million), with volumes surging to 4.02 lakh tonnes from 2.39 lakh tonnes. Miscellaneous processed items rose by 14% to $470.70 million ($413 million). Processed vegetables were marginally up at $207.61 million.
Implications for commodity markets
The sharp divergence between basmati and non-basmati rice exports indicates a shift in global demand toward lower-priced rice varieties, according to the data. The 66% jump in buffalo meat exports signals strong international appetite for Indian carabeef, potentially benefiting meat processors and feed suppliers. The 52% growth in pulses exports suggests tightening global protein supply, which could support prices for pulses such as chickpeas and lentils. For commodity traders, the Q1 figures highlight India's expanding role in supplying staple food commodities amid changing global trade flows.
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