Trusted ConnectionsVerified Partners โœ‰jaitwoc@gmail.com India-Based Import & Export Consultancy Since 2022 ๐Ÿ“ž+91 93103 53756 Trusted ConnectionsVerified Partners โœ‰jaitwoc@gmail.com India-Based Import & Export Consultancy Since 2022 ๐Ÿ“ž+91 93103 53756
India Agri Commodity Trade โ€” Dry Fruits, Pulses, Grains Wholesale
๐ŸŒพ Agri Commodities

India Agri Commodity Trade 2024: Dry Fruits, Pulses & Grains โ€” Complete Export-Import Guide

$48.8B
Total Agri Exports FY24
#1
Global Rice Exporter
$1.5B
Dry Fruit Imports FY24
4.26 MMT
Pulses Imported FY24

India's Agricultural Trade: A Global Powerhouse

India is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of agricultural commodities. In FY2023โ€“24, total agricultural exports stood at USD 48.82 billion, making India a critical supplier to markets across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. While the figure is marginally lower than FY23's record of $53.15B (due to selective rice export restrictions), India's structural position as a top agri exporter remains unshaken.

๐ŸŒ Why India Matters in Global Agri Trade

India accounts for over 2.5% of global agricultural exports, ranking among the top 10 agri exporters worldwide. With over 170 million hectares of arable land and diverse agro-climatic zones, India produces commodities that no other single country can match in scale, variety, and cost competitiveness.

India Agri Export Value โ€” 5-Year Trend (FY2020โ€“2024)

Year-on-year growth in India's agricultural export value, reflecting strong global demand and expanding trade corridors.

India Total Agricultural Exports (USD Billion)
๐Ÿ“Œ
Data Sources: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry โ€” Annual Export Statistics FY2023-24.

๐Ÿฅœ Dry Fruits: India's Import Landscape

India is the world's largest importer of almonds and a significant importer of cashews, walnuts, raisins, and pistachios. In FY2023โ€“24, India's dry fruit imports crossed USD 1.5 billion, driven by rising domestic consumption, the premium snacking trend, and the bakery and confectionery industry boom.

Key Dry Fruits Imported into India

  • Almonds โ€” India imports ~390,000 MT annually, primarily from the USA (California). India is USA's #1 almond export market globally, valued at ~$590M.
  • Cashews โ€” Raw cashew nuts (RCN) imported from Ivory Coast, Vietnam, Guinea-Bissau, and Tanzania for domestic processing. India is the world's #1 cashew processor.
  • Walnuts โ€” Sourced from USA, Chile, and Ukraine. Demand growing 12% YoY due to health-conscious consumers.
  • Raisins & Dried Apricots โ€” Traditionally sourced from Afghanistan and Iran (via third-country routes).
  • Pistachios โ€” USA (California) is the dominant source; India imports ~$110M annually.

Dry Fruit Import Sources โ€” Country-Wise Share (FY2024)

USA dominates India's dry fruit imports through almonds and pistachios, while West Africa drives cashew raw material supply.

Dry Fruit Import Source Countries (% Share by Value)
Dry Fruit Type-Wise Import Value (USD Million, FY24)
Source: APEDA ยท ITC Trade Map (trademap.org)

Best Countries to Source Dry Fruits (For Indian Buyers)

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
USA
Almonds ยท Pistachios ยท Walnuts
World's largest almond producer. California almonds command premium quality. Direct sourcing via California Almond Board.
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฎ
Ivory Coast
Raw Cashew Nuts
World's #1 cashew producer. Competitive FOB pricing. Most Indian processors source RCN via direct contracts.
๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
Vietnam
Processed Cashews
World's largest cashew processor. W180, W240, W320, W450 grades available. Strong logistics network.
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
Chile
Walnuts ยท Prunes ยท Raisins
Southern hemisphere harvest (Marchโ€“May). Competes with USA on walnut pricing. Growing supplier to India.
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท
Iran
Pistachios ยท Raisins ยท Saffron
Premium quality pistachios. Trade via UAE intermediaries due to sanctions. Complex but possible.
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ
Tanzania
Raw Cashew Nuts
Emerging supplier with consistent quality. Tanzanian RCN is popular among South Indian processors.

๐ŸŒพ Pulses: India's Import Dependency & Sourcing Map

India is the world's largest producer AND consumer of pulses, yet it remains a significant importer due to the gap between domestic supply and growing protein demand. In FY2023โ€“24, India imported 4.26 million metric tonnes of pulses valued at approximately USD 1.45 billion.

4.26 MMT
Pulses Imported FY24
$1.45B
Import Value FY24
25%
Import Dependency Ratio

Pulses Import Sources โ€” Country-Wise Volume (FY2024)

Canada leads India's pulse imports with yellow peas and lentils, followed by Myanmar (pigeon peas) and Australia (chickpeas).

Pulses Import by Country of Origin (MMT, FY2023-24)
Pulse TypeTop Import SourceVolume FY24 (000 MT)Avg. Price (USD/MT)YoY Change
Yellow PeasCanada, Ukraine920$320+18%
Chana / ChickpeasAustralia680$560+12%
Tur / Pigeon PeaMyanmar, Tanzania610$640-8%
Masoor / Red LentilsCanada, Australia840$420+22%
Moong / Green GramMyanmar, Australia380$720+3%
Urad / Black GramMyanmar290$680-5%

๐Ÿš Grains & Rice: India's Dominant Export Position

India is the world's #1 rice exporter, supplying over 40% of the globally traded rice. In FY2023โ€“24, India exported approximately 21 million metric tonnes of rice (Basmati + Non-Basmati), with Basmati rice alone earning USD 5.85 billion.

โš ๏ธ Export Policy Update โ€” August 2023

India imposed a ban on non-basmati white rice exports in August 2023 to stabilize domestic prices. This led to a short-term supply gap globally, benefiting Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan. The ban was partially lifted in 2024. Buyers planning rice procurement from India must track DGFT export notifications closely.

India Rice Export Destinations โ€” Country-Wise Share (FY2024)

The Middle East and South Asia are India's dominant rice export markets, with Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh being the top two buyers.

Basmati Rice Export Destinations (% Share, FY24)
India Grain Export Value by Category (USD Billion, FY24)
Source: DGFT ยท Ministry of Commerce

Best Countries to Export Indian Grains & Rice To

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
Saudi Arabia
Top Basmati Buyer
22% of India's basmati exports. Long-term buyer relationships. Prefers 1121 and Pusa varieties.
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ
Bangladesh
Non-Basmati Rice
Largest non-basmati buyer from India. IR-8, Swarna, and parboiled varieties preferred.
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ถ
Iraq
Basmati Rice
Major Middle East buyer. Government procurement tenders. Strong preference for Indian 1121 basmati.
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช
UAE
Hub for Re-export
UAE re-exports to Africa and other Gulf states. Key distribution hub for Indian agri products.
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
China
Pulses & Grains
Growing demand for Indian pulses, especially organic varieties. Emerging market for premium agri exports.
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง
UK & Europe
Premium Basmati
Indian diaspora markets. UK is top European buyer of Indian basmati. France and Germany growing.
How We Help

How Jaitwoc International Facilitates Agri Commodity Trade

With deep networks across India's agri supply chain โ€” from farm aggregators and commodity exchanges to processing units and export houses โ€” Jaitwoc International acts as your trade bridge for reliable, verified, and price-competitive agri commodity sourcing and export.

๐ŸŒพ
Dry Fruit Sourcing

Connect with verified importers of almonds, cashews, walnuts and raisins. We facilitate direct procurement and help negotiate competitive prices.

๐Ÿซ˜
Pulses Trade Support

Access verified suppliers of chana, masoor, tur and moong. We help buyers and sellers connect with proper documentation and quality checks.

๐Ÿš
Rice Export Assistance

Basmati and non-basmati rice export support including phytosanitary certificates, APEDA registration, and buyer matching.

๐Ÿ“‹
Documentation & Logistics

End-to-end support for export documentation: Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary, Invoice, Packing List, RCMC, and shipping coordination.

Book a Free Trade Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order quantity for importing dry fruits from India?+
For B2B bulk trade, minimum orders typically start at 1 MT (metric tonne) for premium varieties like almonds and pistachios. For cashews, MOQs from processors are usually 5 MT and above. Jaitwoc can help connect you with suppliers at competitive MOQs based on your requirement.
Which Indian port is best for agri commodity exports?+
For rice: Mundra Port (Gujarat), Kakinada Port (Andhra Pradesh), and Chennai Port are the most active. For pulses and dry fruits: JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai) handles the highest volume. Mundra is preferred for Middle East and European shipments due to shorter transit.
Is APEDA registration mandatory to export agri commodities from India?+
Yes. Any exporter of APEDA-scheduled products (including rice, pulses, dry fruits, fresh fruits & vegetables, processed foods) must obtain RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) from APEDA. Jaitwoc can assist new exporters in obtaining this registration.
What are the current import duties on dry fruits entering India?+
Import duties vary: Almonds (in-shell) attract 100% BCD; shelled almonds attract 100% BCD + AIDC. Walnuts: 100% BCD. Cashews (raw): 5% BCD (concessional for processing). These rates are subject to change and IGST, cess and social welfare surcharge apply additionally. Always verify with DGFT before planning a shipment.
Why did India restrict rice exports in 2023 and what is the current status?+
India imposed a ban on non-basmati white rice exports in August 2023 to curb domestic inflation after below-average monsoon rains affected production. The ban was partially eased in early 2024 with quota-based exports permitted. Basmati rice exports continued uninterrupted throughout. Buyers should monitor DGFT notifications for the latest export policy status.