Sat Sep 21 10:44:24 UTC 2024: ## India and Russia Aim to Boost Agricultural Trade: New Delhi
**Moscow, Russia** – The Indian government is optimistic about increasing agricultural trade with Russia, with officials reporting progress in removing non-tariff barriers hindering imports of Indian agricultural products and food items.
Speaking at the World Food Moscow trade fair this week, representatives from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) highlighted the potential for Indian exporters in a range of categories, including grains, pulses, millets, processed foods, spices, and fruits.
“There is a lot of scope in the Russian market for agriculture and food exports,” an APEDA representative stated. “The Russian government is supporting India by facilitating market access for Indian companies.”
The two countries are currently working to resolve issues related to food sanitation norms and logistics, aiming to streamline trade processes.
India, the second-largest fruit producer globally, is particularly known for its mangoes and seedless grapes, which are processed into various products for export. Indian pulses and snacks have also gained global recognition due to improvements in packaging and quality control.
The Indian government is also seeking Russian investment in its food processing sector, offering incentives for domestic and foreign players. Discussions are also underway for building warehouses near Russia’s largest ports to store high-demand Indian products, facilitating access for Russian buyers while reducing costs and time.
“India is a reliable, quality-assured supplier across the world,” added the APEDA representative, underscoring the country’s commitment to ensuring high standards in its food production and processing industries.
India’s agricultural exports currently stand at around $48.76 billion, with significant exports to the US, China, UAE, and other countries. While exports to Russia currently amount to $340.07 million, the two countries are aiming to boost this figure significantly as part of their broader trade ambitions. India and Russia have set a target of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
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