Punjab's Agricultural Exports Experience a Decline of USD 567 Million Over 5 Years

Punjab exported agricultural products of USD 1,545 million in 2017-18, but exports fell steadily thereafter, from USD 1,402 million in 2018-19 to USD 1,267 million in 2019-20, and from USD 1,161 million in 2020-21 to USD 978 million in 2021-22.

Punjab's main exports are Basmati and non-Basmati rice, buffalo meat, citrus fruits (sweet mandarin), cereal preparations, natural honey, cereals, alcoholic drinks, and fruit and vegetable seeds.

The items are shipped to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Vietnam, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that India's overall agricultural product exports climbed from USD 38,881 million in 2017-18 to USD 50,208 million in 2021-22. In 2021-22, Gujarat was the leading exporter of agricultural products worth USD 9,228 million, followed by Maharashtra (USD 8,370 million) and Andhra Pradesh (USD 6,439 million).

Haryana exports increased from USD 2,678 million in 2017-18 to USD 2,746 million in 2021-22. Similarly, exports in Himachal Pradesh increased from USD 27 million in 2017-18 to USD 46 million in 2021-22. The central ministry also stated that wheat exports have decreased since their prohibition in May 2022, while non-basmati rice monthly shipments have been lower since September 2022 than the pre-restrictions level in August 2022.

It was also advised that, starting of June 1, 2022, sugar export is only permitted with specific permission from the directorate of sugar in the department of food and public distribution. This was done to avoid uncontrolled sugar exports and to assure adequate sugar supply for domestic consumption at a reasonable price.

Except for December 2022, monthly sugar shipments have stayed below the pre-restriction level of May 2022. According to the government, certain agricultural products such as cashew, sesame seeds, and walnuts are imported and then exported to other countries after being processed and value-added in India.