USDA hosts trade mission to India

NEW DELHI — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent trade mission to India was a success, including more than 500 business-to-business meetings between U.S. exporters and Indian businesses.

Katie Nelson, deputy director for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and Drew Sherman, ISDA international trade director, were among the Hoosiers attending the trip.

“As the world’s most-populous country and fifth-largest economy, India is primed for continued growth as a top destination for U.S. food and agriculture products,” said Alexis Taylor, under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at USDA.

“With a growing middle class that’s expected to exceed 660 million by 2030, India presents a strong consumer-oriented market where exports from American agribusinesses and producers can flourish.”

Twenty-three U.S. agribusinesses, 11 state departments of agriculture and 130 Americans attended the trade mission.

“Exports of food and agricultural products to India were nearly $2 billion last year, making India our 13th largest single country export market,” Taylor said. “Some of our top exports to India are horticultural products, primarily driven by tree nuts, ethanol and cotton.”

India recently reduced tariffs on a variety of U.S. agricultural products, including poultry, vegetables, fruits, pulses and tree nuts.

Other trade missions this year include trips to Canada, Colombia, Vietnam with buyers from Thailand, and Morocco with buyers from West Africa.

U.S. Trade With India In 2023

By The Numbers:

• No. 13 — Export market rank among U.S. agricultural export markets.

• $1.94 billion — Total export value.

• $1.97 billion — Three-year average export value.

• 5.7% — Compound average growth from 2014 to 2023.