APEDA Organizes Virtual Buyer-Seller Meet to Tap Millet Export Opportunities in UAE

The Buyer Seller Meet was organized in collaboration with the Indian Mission in the UAE, led by Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sanjay Sudir. APEDA, which is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is collaborating with various stakeholders to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of increasing millet consumption globally.

On the occasion, the APEDA also launched an e-Catalogue for the UAE, which includes information on various Indian millets and the range of value-added products available for export, as well as a list of active exporters, start-ups, FPOs, and importer/retail chain/hyper markets, among other things. The e-Catalogue for the United Arab Emirates has been distributed to the Indian Embassy as well as potential importers, exporters, start-ups, and other stakeholders in the Millet supply chain.

Several importers, exporters, start-ups, and other stakeholders in the Millet supply chain participated and interacted with each other during the buyer seller meeting to explore Millet's export opportunities and value-added products. Noting that India has always been a reliable partner for the UAE, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Sudir stated that there are significant export opportunities for Indian millets and value-added products to the UAE and other regional markets.

"It is a Mission and Vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote millets in the international market," APEDA Chairman M Angamuthu said on the occasion. The APEDA team is ready to assist exporters, millet producers, women FPOs, and others in promoting Indian millets around the world." Stressing on coordinating with buyers, sellers, producers, to take forward the export of millets and value added products of millets, Angamuthu said, "It's a good opportunity to boost our exports as India has very distinctive traditional varieties of millets which are loved by health-conscious people. The export of millets will help farmers increase their income."

APEDA also intends to organise millet promotional activities in South Africa, Dubai, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Sydney, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America by facilitating the participation of various stakeholders from India in major food shows, Buyer Seller Meets, and Road Shows. APEDA plans to showcase millets and value-added products at various global platforms, including Gulfood 2023, Foodex, Seoul Food & Hotel Show, Saudi Agro Food, Fine Food Show in Sydney (Australia), Belgium's Food & Beverages Show, Germany's BioFach and Anuga Food Fair, San Francisco's Winter Fancy Food Show, and others.

India is one of the world's leading millet producers, accounting for approximately 41 percent of global production. According to FAO, global millet production in 2020 will be 30.464 million metric tonnes (MMT), with India accounting for 12.49 MMT, or 41 percent of total millet production. In 2021-22, India recorded a 27 percent increase in millet production compared to the previous year's millet production of 15.92 MMT. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are India's top five millet producing states. Millets account for nearly 1% of total millet production. The majority of millets exported from India are whole grain, and the export of value-added millets from India is negligible.

However, the millets market is expected to grow from its current market value of more than USD 9 billion to more than USD 12 billion by 2025. The government is also encouraging start-ups to promote value-added products in the Ready to Eat (RTE) and Ready to Serve (RTS) categories, such as noodles, pasta, breakfast cereal mix, biscuits, cookies, snacks, sweets, and so on. According to the government's millet promotion strategy, major international retail supermarkets such as Lulu Group, Carrefour, Al Jazira, Al Maya, Walmart, and others will be involved in establishing millet corners for millet branding and promotion.

According to DGCIS data, India increased millet exports by 8.02% in fiscal year 2021-22, with 159,332.16 metric tonne exported compared to 147,501.08 metric tonne exported the previous year. The United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are India's major millet exporting countries. Bajra, Ragi, Canary, Jawar, and Buckwheat are among the millets exported by India.

Indonesia, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the Netherlands are the world's top millet importers. There are 16 major varieties of millet, which are produced and exported, including Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi) Minor Millets (Kangani), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet (Kodo), Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa/Jhangora), Little Millet (Kutki), Two Pseudo Millets (BuckWheat/Kuttu), Amaranthus (Chaulai) and Brown Top Millet.

APEDA has also signed an MoU with IIMR to increase value-addition and farmer income. During the AAHAR food fair, Asia's largest B2B international food and hospitality fair, APEDA launched a variety of millet products for all age groups at affordable prices ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 15.