India's Agricultural Export Architecture
APEDA and GI Protection
India's agricultural exports are regulated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce. Basmati rice is one of India's most valuable agricultural exports, earning nearly ₹50,000 crore annually (approximately $6 billion) and exported to over 60 countries.
- India's GI (Geographical Indication) tag for Basmati rice was registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, covering Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Western UP, and the Jammu region.
- Pakistan has contested India's exclusive claim to the Basmati GI tag in the EU, arguing for joint recognition — a dispute that remains ongoing.
- APEDA sets Minimum Export Prices (MEPs) and quality standards; MEPs on non-Basmati rice were lifted in 2024 but Basmati continues to face its own regulatory framework.
- India exported approximately 6 million MT of basmati in 2024-25 — the highest on record.
● Tracked since March 03, 2026 · last seen March 10, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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