India's farm exports to cross Rs 1,00,000 cr in 5 yrs: APEDA

India's exports of agricultural products is likely to cross Rs 1,00,000-crore mark in the next five years and account for five per cent of the world's agri exports, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) today said.

"...Export of APEDA monitored products should exceed one lakh crore (about $22 billion), in the next five years, which should translate into a 5 per cent share of the global agri exports," APEDA Director S Dave said at an Assocham conference here.

APEDA monitors products like fresh and processed food and vegetables, livestock and cereals.

The exports of these products grew by 24 per cent in rupee terms at Rs 39,461 crore and 10 per cent in dollar terms at $8.67 billion in 2008-09, he added.     
Currently, India's share in global agri export stands close to 2 per cent at about $18 billion.

Dave urged the industry to use the fund allocated by the commerce ministry for market access initiative.

He asked the industry to focus on increasing investments for value addition in the sector.