India must align its policies to strengthen agricultural exports and avoid ad hoc trade restrictions that disrupt supply chains and undermine its credibility as a reliable supplier, the Economic Survey said on Thursday, January 29th, 2026.

The Survey described agricultural exports as “low-hanging fruit with immense export potential” and noted that they also provide India with strategic international leverage. It urged policymakers to strike a balance between meeting domestic demand and pursuing export-led growth.

India is targeting $100 billion in combined exports of agriculture, marine products, and food and beverages over the next four years, up from $51.1 billion in agricultural exports in fiscal 2024-25. Although India is the world’s second-largest agricultural producer by value, it accounts for only 2.2% of global farm exports, highlighting substantial untapped potential.

Agricultural exports grew at a compound annual rate of 8.2% between fiscal 2019-20 and 2024-25, faster than merchandise exports. However, they have stagnated since fiscal 2022-23, even as global agricultural trade expanded.

The Survey cautioned that frequent policy shifts, including minimum export prices, create uncertainty and push foreign buyers to alternative suppliers. Instead, it recommended tools like buffer stock management, market interventions, subsidised distribution, and anti-hoarding measures to stabilise domestic prices while supporting farmer incomes.