India Poised for Surge in Agricultural Exports to the US After Trade Deal
The APEDA Chairman stated that India is poised for a significant uptake in agricultural exports to the United States following the India-US interim trade deal, which sets a competitive 18% tariff rate on Indian goods
Speaking at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, the Chairman highlighted India's record 30% growth in organic product exports to the US in the previous year despite global challenges
India was named "Country of the Year" at BIOFACH 2026, the world's leading organic food exhibition, with the largest-ever Indian presence -- a 1,074 sq. m. pavilion hosting 67 co-exhibitors including organic exporters and farmer-producer organizations
The 18% duty rate under the interim deal is substantially lower than what is offered to other US trading partners, giving Indian agricultural exporters a decisive competitive advantage
APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
APEDA is a statutory body established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985 (Act 2 of 1986), which came into effect on 13 February 1986. It replaced the earlier Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC) and functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The APEDA Chairman's statement at BIOFACH 2026 reflects the institution's role in promoting India's agricultural exports. The trade deal's preferential 18% tariff creates an opportunity that APEDA is well-positioned to facilitate through its exporter registration, quality standardization, and export promotion functions.
National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
NPOP is India's primary regulatory framework for organic agriculture certification, administered by APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It defines standards for organic production, establishes an accreditation system for certifying agencies, and provides the certification framework recognized internationally.
India's recognition as Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026 and the 30% export growth in organic products are direct outcomes of the NPOP framework. The trade deal's 18% tariff rate opens a significant channel for organic products certified under NPOP to access the US market competitively.
India-US Interim Trade Agreement (February 2026)
The India-US interim trade agreement, announced on 2 February 2026, is a framework for reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. It is the first bilateral trade agreement between India and the US, building on the earlier Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The deal reduces US reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 50% (which had been imposed through successive tariff escalations over 10 months) to 18%.
The 18% tariff rate specifically benefits agricultural exporters by providing a lower duty than what competing nations face. The APEDA Chairman's optimism is grounded in this structural advantage, combined with India's already demonstrated 30% growth trajectory in organic exports.
- APEDA established under: Act 2 of 1986 (APEDA Act, 1985), effective 13 February 1986
- India organic certification area: 4.45 million hectares (1.44 million cultivated + 3.0 million wild harvest)
- India's global organic ranking: 1st in number of producers, 6th in organic agricultural land
- Organic food exports (2022-23): 312,800 MT, worth INR 5,525 crore
- US tariff on Indian goods under interim deal: 18% (down from 50%)
- India-US bilateral trade FY 2024-25: USD 132.2 billion (India's exports: USD 86.51 billion)
- India's trade surplus with the US in FY 2024-25: USD 41.18 billion
- BIOFACH 2026: Held in Nuremberg, Germany (10-13 February); India named Country of the Year
- Indian pavilion at BIOFACH: 1,074 sq. m., 67 co-exhibitors