India aims two-fold hike in food items export

India is aiming at a two-fold hike in exports of food items in the next five years which will help in doubling the income of farmers and those associated with the food and agro industry, Santosh Sarangi, Joint Secretary in Department of Commerce, said here on Tuesday.

"Doubling of farmers' income is possible only when our agri exports grow by 18-20% and for this we need integration with global marketplace. If this happens, our food exports will cross $60 billion which stood at $31 billion in 2015. India's food market stood at $193 billion in 2016, which is estimated to grow to $540 billion by 2020," he told reporters here.

At present, India stands at sixth place in the global food and grocery market, but India's share in food items exports is just 12%, which the government is trying to take up to 20%. India has achieved impressive results in exports of some items like prawns, which has seen a jump of 17% between 2012 and 2017, while grapes and turmeric exports have grown by 12%.

To give impetus to the food processing industry, the Commerce and Industry Ministry is also formulating an aggressive Agri Export Policy separately. With such a powerful global trade show, India will surely be able to make the best utilisation of its huge production and consumption power, he said.

To give further boost to India's agro and food exports, the Department of Commerce in association with Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) is organising 'Indus Food'– a Mega International Food and Beverage Trade show at India Expo Mart In Greater Noida from January 18, 2017.