APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said India is set to see strong growth in agriculture and organic product exports to the United States following the interim trade agreement, with the 18% tariff providing a competitive edge. (a file image) Photo Courtesy: Bijoy Ghosh
India is set to see significant growth in agricultural and organic product exports to the United States following the interim trade agreement, said Abhishek Dev, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), adding that the competitive 18% tariff rate will provide Indian exporters a decisive edge in the US market.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of Biofetch 2026, Dev expressed strong confidence in the benefits of the agreement for Indian agriculture. He said, “This will be a very beneficial outcome for us, as the rates that have been agreed are very competitive. The 18% duty is much lower than the duty being paid to other trading partners, and we will have a very competitive edge for our products. Already, our products are very competitive, and with this additional competitive edge due to the lower rate, we will definitely be able to increase our exports.”
Record growth in exports
APEDA Chairman highlighted India’s strong export performance despite recent challenges. “Last year, our agricultural exports of organic products to the US grew by 30%. And there were some problems during this period due to the imposition of higher rates, despite all this, buyers stuck to Indian sourcing, and this will prove beneficial now, and all relationships are intact,” Dev said.
“So very soon, we will see very good growth in agricultural exports to the US from the Indian market,” he said optimistically. Speaking about India’s participation in BIOFACH 2026, the world’s largest organic trade fair, Dev stressed on the strategic importance of the platform. “BioFetch is the largest organic trade fair, and we get buyers from all major importing countries. We are participating as a partner country, and this year we have the largest presence from India. Among all non-European countries, we are the largest exhibitor,” he said.
industry perspective
With over 100 exhibitors including big companies, farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and individual operators, Dev expressed hope that “all the meetings, all the discussions, interactions will turn into positive deals and ultimately the supply chain and the exporting farmer will definitely benefit in terms of both exports and sales of organic products.” Rohan Grover, CEO, Nature Bio Foods, expressed positive sentiments from the industry perspective. He said, “The entire industry is welcoming the Indian government. Lowering the tax at 18% will be very promising for other South East Asian countries and many other countries which are our competitors. It will be a fair playing field and many opportunities will now emerge.”
Grover especially welcomed the protection of farmers in the agreement. “Farmers are safe, which is very important. The industry is appreciating that and in my view, we are going to benefit from the India-US trade agreement,” he said.
global organic leadership
Highlighting India’s position in the approximately US$150 billion global organic food market, Grover said, “Today all the big companies in the organic food sector are here in Biofac. Today India is the largest country that provides organic food to Europe, and the India-EU FTA is going to further strengthen our position.”
Published on February 12, 2026
