New Delhi: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said the nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) concluded by India in the last three and a half years have opened access to 38 developed and prosperous countries, creating vast market opportunities for Indian exporters.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating the 40th edition of AAHAR – the International Food & Hospitality Fair in New Delhi.
Goyal called on stakeholders from the food, agriculture, and hospitality sectors to work together to make India the world’s largest exporter of agricultural and processed foods. He said India is witnessing strong global demand for its food products.
He said India’s exports of food and agricultural products, including farm produce and fisheries, have reached nearly Rs 5 lakh crore (over USD 55 billion) annually, making the country the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world.
Goyal said India’s agri and food exports have recorded strong growth between 2014 and 2025. Processed food exports have increased fourfold during this period. Fruit and pulses exports have tripled. Processed vegetable exports have grown four times, while cocoa exports have tripled. Cereal exports have doubled, and rice exports alone have risen by 62%.
He said these achievements should encourage India to aim for the top position globally in agricultural and processed food exports, according to an official statement. The minister added that the goal aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India the “food basket of the world.”
Goyal said India now has preferential market access covering nearly two-thirds of global trade, strengthening its position as an investment destination and enabling Indian businesses to integrate into global value chains.
He said the government has safeguarded the interests of farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs while negotiating trade agreements. Sensitive sectors such as dairy have been protected, and no concessions have been given to foreign producers.
The minister added that genetically modified products have not been granted duty concessions or market access.
Key agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, maize, soy meal, and several varieties of pulses have also been protected in trade negotiations, he said. In the sugar sector, concessions have generally not been extended to prevent imports that could affect domestic producers and sugarcane farmers.
Goyal urged industry stakeholders to spread awareness at the grassroots level about how India’s FTAs protect national interests while expanding international trade opportunities.
