India holds the 8th Largest Agricultural Exporter

India retained its status as the 8th largest agricultural exporter in the world in 2023, despite facing a drop in export value. The country’s exports fell from $55 billion in 2022 to $51 billion in 2023, largely due to global trade disruptions and domestic policy decisions.

Global Export Trends in Agriculture

• The 8th largest agricultural exporter, India, followed top players like the European Union, the USA, and Brazil.

• Seven out of the top ten global agricultural exporters experienced a decline in exports.

• Only Brazil (6%), the European Union (5%), and Thailand (0.2%) showed positive growth.

• The European Union was the leading exporter at $836 billion, followed by the USA at $198 billion, and Brazil at $157 billion.

• Other key exporters include China, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, and Australia.

• As the 8th largest agricultural exporter, India still holds a significant position in the global agri-trade landscape.

Factors Behind India's Export Decline

As the 8th largest agricultural exporter, India’s performance in 2023 was influenced by several key factors:

Global Geopolitical Challenges:

• The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted international trade routes.

• The Red Sea crisis further strained global shipping networks.

India’s Domestic Export Restrictions:

• Wheat exports were banned in May 2022.

• Non-basmati rice exports were halted in July 2023.

• Sugar exports were banned in October 2023.

These restrictions, while aimed at protecting domestic supplies, significantly impacted India’s standing as the 8th largest agricultural exporter. Most of the decline came from regulated commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, and onions.

WTO's Digital Trade Tool

In its 2023 report, the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched a new interactive statistics platform that offers:

• Real-time exploration of global trade trends

• Filters by country, region, product group, and trade value or volume

• Insights into world agricultural trade performance, including that of the 8th largest agricultural exporter—India

This tool helps policymakers and analysts understand shifts in global trade, especially for key players like the 8th-largest agricultural exporter.

Market Share & Global Shifts

• The top 10 agricultural exporters accounted for 71.9% of global agri exports in 2023.

• While the 8th largest agricultural exporter, India, saw a decline, Brazil’s exports grew from $148 billion to $157 billion.

• The European Union’s exports rose from $799 billion to $836 billion, strengthening its leadership.

• Thailand managed minor growth even in a turbulent market.

Final Thoughts

India’s continued position as the 8th largest agricultural exporter highlights its critical role in global agri-trade, even amid challenging conditions. While export bans and geopolitical tensions impacted performance in 2023, India’s vast agricultural base still holds immense potential.

Moving forward, balancing domestic needs with export opportunities will be key. With smarter trade policies, better infrastructure, and greater global engagement, India can not only maintain but possibly improve its global ranking in agricultural exports.