Millets: APEDA Plans to Double its Footprint in 100 Countries

Since 2023 has been designated as the International Year of Millets, India's agri export promotion body, APEDA, plans to increase the country's export footprint from 50 to 100 countries in the next two years. Furthermore, it is developing strategies to increase overall agricultural product exports to countries other than top buyers.

"Right now, our products are exported to approximately 190 countries, up from approximately 150 countries a decade ago." "The challenge is to increase volume in countries other than the top ten while maintaining growth in major purchasing countries," said M Angamuthu, chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The global millets market is expected to grow to more than $12 billion by 2025, up from $9 billion today.

Despite India's 41% share of millet production, with an annual output of around 12 million tonnes (mt), the country's exports were 87,558 tonnes in 2020-21, up 16.32% from 75,274 tonnes the previous year. The majority of India's exports – up to 60% – are destined for Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The top ten countries account for 87% of total volume.

According to trade sources, India's presence in top millets importing countries such as Indonesia, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Italy, and Brazil is nearly non-existent, and these markets can be tapped more aggressively. While millets, both as raw materials and as value-added products, should be exported, an exporter suggested that the Centre, in collaboration with state governments, implement an export-centric production incentive, which would also aid in crop diversification.

According to ITC Trade Map, India has dropped to fifth place in global trade, with exports falling to $26.73 million in 2020 from $30.82 million in 2019, while Ukraine has moved to fourth place with $29.79 million. However, there is a significant difference between India and the United States, which ranks second with $ 58.15 million in exports. Canada is the top exporter, with shipments worth $ 93.16 million.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated during the Budget, "Support will be provided for post-harvest value addition, increasing domestic consumption, and branding millet products nationally and internationally."

Angamuthu stated that APEDA has already signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) for the export of millets and the development of a strategy for their promotion in the international market. During the pandemic, it organized numerous virtual buyer-seller meetings at which officials from Indian embassies were also present.

Millets have found a place in the kitchen as a preferred item with an increasing demand for gluten-free food products around the world, particularly since the pandemic because they contain calcium, iron, and fibres that help fortify essential nutrients in children.