Import and export policies of agricultural products in India

India's economy heavily relies on agriculture, which supports trade, rural livelihoods, and food security. To balance domestic demands and international market opportunities, India has developed import and export policies for agricultural products. Import regulations ensure essential supplies while safeguarding farmers, including sanitary and phytosanitary standards compliance, quantitative restrictions, import licensing, and tariff and non-tariff barriers. Export policies aim to increase competitiveness, encourage excess trade, and diversify India's export market. Important reforms include the Agriculture Export Policy (2018), promotion of value-added and processed agricultural products, and APEDA incentives. However, frequent policy changes, such as export prohibitions and fluctuating tariffs, cause uncertainty for both domestic and foreign stakeholders. High logistics costs, inadequate cold chain and storage facilities, and challenges meeting international quality standards impede growth. Recent trends, such as e-NAM, infrastructure investment, organic certification, and climate-resilient practices, reflect a shift towards sustainability and market integration. To fully realize India's potential in the global agricultural economy, open regulations, farmer-centric trade strategies, and greater policy stability are crucial.