Processed food

Export biscuits and bakery products

Biscuits, rusks, cookies and papad — shelf-stable, easy to ship, and sold through diaspora and African, Gulf and neighbour markets.

Free to exportHS 1905

HS code: 1905
Export policy: Free to export
Registrations: 5
India’s exports, 2025-26: US$ 686 mn

What is exported

India’s large biscuit makers ship to neighbours, Africa and the Gulf, while smaller bakeries sell rusks, nankhatai, khari and papad to diaspora shops. APEDA counts these under cereal preparations, which went mainly to the USA, the UAE, the UK, Nepal and Canada in 2025-26.

Varieties, grades and forms

Sweet biscuits and cookies (1905 31)Glucose, cream, digestive and butter cookies.
Rusks and toasts (1905 40)A diaspora staple.
Wafers, cakes and pastriesLong-life packed cakes and wafers.
Papad and extruded snacksPapad has its own line (1905 90 40).

Where it is grown or made

Maharashtra and GujaratMumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Rajkot — biscuits, khari, papad.
Punjab, Haryana and Delhi NCRRusk and cookie makers.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and UttarakhandLarge biscuit plants.

Export packing

Retail packs printed to the destination’s labelling law, in master cartons on pallets; mixed-product containers are common for diaspora buyers.
Moisture-barrier wrappers and strong cartons to prevent breakage.

Who buys abroad

Indian and South Asian grocery distributors in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the Gulf
Distributors in Africa, Nepal and the Gulf
Gulf hypermarket chains and their private labels

The quality buyers ask for

Moisture: Low moisture for crispness and shelf life, set by product and buyer
Allergens: Controlled and declared to the destination’s list (the EU has 14 allergens; the USA includes sesame)
Additives: Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels
Contaminants: Trans-fat, acrylamide and mycotoxin limits where the destination sets them
Shelf life: Buyers usually want at least two-thirds of the shelf life left on arrival

Certificates

FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is made, packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management certification; FSSC 22000 is GFSI-recognised, which large retailers and brands look for.
BRCGS Food SafetyOften askedGFSI-recognised standard asked for by UK and many EU retailers for private label.
HalalOften askedAsked for by many buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia. Use a body the destination recognises.
US FDA food-facility registrationOften askedEvery facility making food for the USA must register with the FDA, and each shipment needs prior notice. Canned and acidified foods also need FCE/SID process filing.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Palletised cartons in 20-ft or 40-ft dry containers; mixed-product loads are common.

How it travels

Sea freight; LCL or air for samples and first small orders.

Storage

Cool, dry and away from sunlight; avoid heat inside containers in summer.

Shelf life

Typically 6–12 months for biscuits and rusks in sealed packs.

What goes on the pack and carton

EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before or use-by date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in US and metric units, ingredients, major allergens (including sesame), the packer’s or distributor’s name and place of business, Nutrition Facts unless exempt, and “Product of India”.
Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and importer details. Confirm current rules with your importer.
Canada needs English and French labels; check each market before printing.
Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.

Where to get it tested

Use an FSSAI-notified laboratory (fssai.gov.in → notified labs) or an NABL-accredited lab with your product and test in scope (nabl-india.org). APEDA-recognised labs are listed on apeda.gov.in → Quality → Recognised Organisations. Ask the buyer which lab reports they accept before you send samples.

Benefits of exporting this product

RoDTEP refund on this line
Biscuits, wafers, rusks, cakes, extruded snacks and papad (1905 10 00 to 1905 90 40): 0.9% of FOB; other bakers’ wares (1905 90 90): 0.5%. Rate as listed in Appendix 4R (w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024); DGFT Notification 41/2026-27 keeps the rates in force on 30 Sep 2026 unchanged until 31 Dec 2026. Check your exact 8-digit line on dgft.gov.in before you price.
DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024) ↗
APEDA support (Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana)
APEDA’s financial assistance scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 helps registered exporters, FPOs and processors with infrastructure, lab testing and quality systems, and market development (trade fairs, trial shipments, brand registration). Read the component conditions before you spend.
APEDA — Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana 2026-27 to 2030-31, operational guidelines (6 Oct 2026) ↗

Where to register

FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
Buyer-country food registrationMany importing countries register the foreign plant or the product — for example US FDA food-facility registration, GACC registration for China, or product registration in some Gulf states. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

Labels made for the destination: ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date, importer details and the language that country requires.
Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels.
Allergen control (wheat/gluten, milk, nuts, sesame, egg) and declaration; trans-fat and acrylamide limits in some markets.
Microbiology and shelf-life tests from an NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified lab.

How to start small

Pick two or three long-life items (rusk, cookies, papad), test shelf life for at least the voyage plus six months, print an export label and send a mixed LCL shipment to a diaspora distributor. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

Shipping with the Indian label — wrong format, undeclared allergens or a non-permitted colour gets the goods detained or destroyed.
Breakage and moisture — weak cartons and poor sealing turn biscuits soft or into crumbs.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)

Trade data

Indian biscuits and bakery products exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26: US$ 686 mn
Change from 2024-25: ↑ +8.8%
Buyer countries: 159
Average export price: US$ 1.46

Where Indian biscuits and bakery products goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26

India’s biscuits and bakery products exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2021-22, lowest in 2025-26 — a 6% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

Average export price of Indian biscuits and bakery products · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

India’s biscuits and bakery products exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range

By 2027-28: US$ 906 mn

Likely range US$ 868 mn to US$ 946 mn.

Trend: +13.4% a year
Fit (R²): 0.99
Based on: 6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change

1United States of AmericaUS$ 96.4 mn-15.8%

2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 49.1 mn-1.3%

3United KingdomUS$ 39.4 mn+9.6%

4CanadaUS$ 29.7 mn-12.7%

5KenyaUS$ 29.5 mn+59.1%

6Saudi ArabiaUS$ 20.1 mn-4.9%

7AustraliaUS$ 19.9 mn-4.1%

8CameroonUS$ 19.3 mn+120.5%

9South AfricaUS$ 18.8 mn+15.8%

10Dominican RepublicUS$ 18.6 mn+9.3%

11YemenUS$ 15.8 mn+8.2%

12NepalUS$ 15.5 mn-1.1%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

BeninUS$ 5.3 mn → US$ 14.9 mn+180.3%
CameroonUS$ 8.7 mn → US$ 19.3 mn+120.5%
UgandaUS$ 3.9 mn → US$ 7.9 mn+101%
CongoUS$ 5.3 mn → US$ 9.7 mn+83.2%
MozambiqueUS$ 5.4 mn → US$ 8.7 mn+63.1%
SenegalUS$ 6.2 mn → US$ 10 mn+62.3%
KenyaUS$ 18.6 mn → US$ 29.5 mn+59.1%
SomaliaUS$ 6.4 mn → US$ 8.3 mn+30%

Low demand

OmanUS$ 11.7 mn → US$ 9.5 mn-19%
United States of AmericaUS$ 114 mn → US$ 96.4 mn-15.8%
CanadaUS$ 34 mn → US$ 29.7 mn-12.7%
ChadUS$ 7.1 mn → US$ 6.2 mn-12.6%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff line	Value 2025-26	Change	Quantity	Average price
Food preparations, sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa — sweet biscuits`1905 31 00`	US$ 413 mn	+12.8%	3,44,185 tonnes	US$ 1.20 per kgwas US$ 1.25
Other bread,pstry,rice papr and smlr products`1905 90 90` · Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers…	US$ 74 mn	-5.6%	33,308 tonnes	US$ 2.22 per kgwas US$ 2.19
Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers… — papad`1905 90 40`	US$ 54.2 mn	-4.9%	18,967 tonnes	US$ 2.86 per kgwas US$ 2.88
Biscuits not elsewhere specified or includinguded`1905 90 20` · Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers…	US$ 44.8 mn	+9.7%	30,095 tonnes	US$ 1.49 per kgwas US$ 1.49
Coated with chocolate or contng chocolate`1905 32 11` · Food preparations, waffles and wafers, whether or not containing cocoa	US$ 29.4 mn	+22.3%	7,074 tonnes	US$ 4.15 per kgwas US$ 3.40
Rusks toasted bread and smlr toasted prdcts`1905 40 00` · Food preparations, rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products, whether or not containing cocoa	US$ 27.3 mn	+5.4%	13,639 tonnes	US$ 2.00 per kgwas US$ 2.12
Extruded or expanded products,savour , or salted`1905 90 30` · Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers…	US$ 18.4 mn	+12.3%	12,738 tonnes	US$ 1.44 per kgwas US$ 1.50
Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers… — pastries and cakes`1905 90 10`	US$ 13.2 mn	-0.4%	3,765 tonnes	US$ 3.51 per kgwas US$ 3.57
Food preparations, waffles and wafers, whether or not containing cocoa — other waffles and wafers`1905 32 90`	US$ 11.4 mn	+53.4%	5,001 tonnes	US$ 2.27 per kgwas US$ 2.41
Food preparations, crispbread, whether or not containing cocoa — crisp bread`1905 10 00`	US$ 430k	-41.1%	158 tonnes	US$ 2.72 per kgwas US$ 5.00
Others-of-other bread,pstry,rice papr and smlr products`1905 90 59` · Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers…	US$ 150k	-68.7%	59 tonnes	US$ 2.52 per kgwas US$ 2.00
Food preparations, gingerbread and the like, whether or not containing cocoa — gingerbread and the like`1905 20 00`	US$ 50k	0%	24 tonnes	US$ 2.05 per kgwas US$ 1.98
Coated with chocolate or containing chocolate`1905 90 51` · Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers…	US$ 10k	-88.9%	2.3 tonnes	US$ 4.30 per kgwas US$ 2.77

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports: US$ 54.6 bn
India among exporters: #21
India’s share of world exports: 1%
Left for others to win: US$ 54.3 bn

Top exporters — your competitors

1GermanyUS$ 5.8 bn 10.6%
2CanadaUS$ 5.29 bn 9.7%
3ItalyUS$ 4.11 bn 7.5%
4FranceUS$ 3.38 bn 6.2%
5PolandUS$ 3.29 bn 6%
6BelgiumUS$ 3.06 bn 5.6%
7NetherlandsUS$ 3.03 bn 5.5%
8MexicoUS$ 2.61 bn 4.8%
9USAUS$ 2.61 bn 4.8%
10SpainUS$ 2.02 bn 3.7%

Biggest buyers in the world

1USAUS$ 10.6 bn 19.4%
2United KingdomUS$ 4.34 bn 8%
3GermanyUS$ 3.95 bn 7.2%
4FranceUS$ 3.19 bn 5.8%
5CanadaUS$ 2.17 bn 4%
6NetherlandsUS$ 2.12 bn 3.9%
7BelgiumUS$ 1.63 bn 3%
8ItalyUS$ 1.38 bn 2.5%
9SpainUS$ 1.11 bn 2%
10AustriaUS$ 1.03 bn 1.9%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export biscuits and bakery products

Large Indian biscuit makers already sell across South Asia, Africa and the Gulf, competing with Turkish, Malaysian, Indonesian and European brands mostly on price. Smaller bakeries win in diaspora shops with products such as rusk, nankhatai, khari and papad that mainstream brands do not make. APEDA reports cereal preparations went mainly to the USA, the UAE, the UK, Nepal and Canada in 2025-26. The openings are private label for Gulf and African retailers and millet-based or clean-label bakery for health-conscious buyers.

01Pick long-life products
Choose items that survive transit plus months on shelf.
02Check ingredients
Review fats, colours, emulsifiers and claims against destination rules.
03Test shelf life
Run accelerated shelf-life and moisture tests in export packaging.
04Make the export label
Design a label for the destination’s law — not the Indian label — and have the importer approve it before printing.
05Register abroad
FDA facility registration for the USA; product registration where required.
06Book, stuff and file
Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.
07Get paid and close the file
Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting biscuits and bakery products

Is wheat policy a problem for biscuits?

DGFT amended the wheat export policy in April and August 2026, but biscuits under 1905 were not among the lines we saw amended. Check your line on DGFT.

How do I stop biscuits going soft?

Use moisture-barrier film, seal well and avoid humid storage.

What RoDTEP applies?

Biscuits, rusks, cakes, papad and extruded snacks: 0.9% of FOB; other bakers’ wares 0.5%.

Can I use my Indian label abroad?

Rarely. Each market has its own label law — make a separate export label and get the importer to approve it.

Do I need an RCMC for my first small shipment?

Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). FSSAI and other legal licences still apply, and you need an RCMC to claim most export benefits.