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Processed food

Export breakfast cereals and puffed grains

Corn flakes, muesli, puffed rice, poha-based and millet cereals for diaspora and health-food buyers.

Free to exportHS 1904
HS code
1904
Prepared foods from swelling or roasting cereals: corn flakes (1904 10 10), puffed rice — murmura, mudi (1904 10 20), muesli and other flakes (1904 20), other (1904 90).
Export policy
Free to export
Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 2. Rice and wheat themselves have had changing export rules; check that your input-based line is not affected on DGFT.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 93.7 mn
to 98 countries

What is exported

India exports corn flakes, muesli, puffed rice (murmura), rice and millet flakes and granola. Millet-based cereals have found interest with health-food buyers. 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

  • Corn flakes (1904 10 10)Brands and private label.
  • Puffed rice — murmura, mudi (1904 10 20)Diaspora snack and bhel base.
  • Muesli and flakes with millets (1904 20 10)Separate line for 15% or more millet content.
  • Granola, oats blends and flakesHealth-food lines.

Where it is grown or made

  • Maharashtra and GujaratBranded cereal plants near Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.
  • West Bengal, Karnataka and Andhra PradeshPuffed rice and rice-flake units.
  • Karnataka and TelanganaMillet processing for cereals.

Export packing

  • Retail packs printed to the destination’s labelling law, in master cartons on pallets; mixed-product containers are common for diaspora buyers.
  • Bag-in-box or pouches with moisture barrier; cartons are light and bulky, so cube out containers.

Who buys abroad

  • Indian and South Asian grocery distributors in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the Gulf
  • Health-food and organic retailers
  • Gulf hypermarket chains and their private labels

The quality buyers ask for

Moisture and crispness
Low moisture, set by product, to keep flakes crisp through shelf life
Mycotoxins
Aflatoxin and other mycotoxins in maize and millet within destination limits
Claims
Nutrition and health claims only as the destination allows
Allergens
Controlled and declared to the destination’s list (the EU has 14 allergens; the USA includes sesame)

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.
  • Organic (NPOP / NOP / EU)Often askedOnly if you sell the product as organic: NPOP certification plus the buyer market’s own organic rules.
  • 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 9–12 months in sealed liners.

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.
  • 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

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.
  • Nutrition and health claims (high fibre, gluten-free, sugar) only as allowed by the destination’s rules.
  • Aflatoxin and other mycotoxins in maize and millet; moisture and crispness for shelf life.
How to start small

Start with a millet muesli or flakes line from a certified co-packer, send samples to health-food and diaspora distributors, and ship a mixed LCL first. 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

  • Making a “gluten-free” claim without testing and segregation — it is a legal claim in most markets.
  • Bulky, light cartons make freight per kg expensive — price the freight before quoting.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (4)
  1. APEDA — Cereal Preparations (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. FSSAI — FoSCoS food licensing portal
  4. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian breakfast cereals and puffed grains exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 93.7 mn
+8.4% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +14.3%
US$ 82 mn → US$ 93.7 mn
Buyer countries
98
Average export price
US$ 1.88
per kg · 49,779 tonnes shipped · US$ 1.81 the year before
United States of America: US$ 22.4 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 9.4 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 8.9 mnCanada: US$ 7.6 mnAustralia: US$ 6.9 mnNepal: US$ 4 mnBangladesh: US$ 2.4 mnNetherlands: US$ 2.4 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 2.3 mnMaldives: US$ 2 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2 mnIreland: US$ 1.9 mnNew Zealand: US$ 1.5 mnOman: US$ 1.4 mnSingapore: US$ 1.4 mnGhana: US$ 1.2 mnQatar: US$ 1.1 mnGermany: US$ 940kSouth Korea: US$ 900kBhutan: US$ 830kKuwait: US$ 720kBrazil: US$ 680kKenya: US$ 600kMalaysia: US$ 510kUnited States of America: US$ 22.4 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Kingdom: US$ 9.4 mnUnited KingdomUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 8.9 mnUnited Arab EmiratesCanada: US$ 7.6 mnAustralia: US$ 6.9 mnAustraliaNepal: US$ 4 mnNepalBangladesh: US$ 2.4 mnBangladeshNetherlands: US$ 2.4 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 2.3 mnMaldives: US$ 2 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2 mnIreland: US$ 1.9 mnNew Zealand: US$ 1.5 mnOman: US$ 1.4 mnSingapore: US$ 1.4 mnGhana: US$ 1.2 mnQatar: US$ 1.1 mnGermany: US$ 940kSouth Korea: US$ 900kBhutan: US$ 830kKuwait: US$ 720kBrazil: US$ 680kKenya: US$ 600kMalaysia: US$ 510kIndia
Where Indian breakfast cereals and puffed grains goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 62.6 mn632020-212021-22: US$ 52.2 mn522021-222022-23: US$ 51.2 mn512022-232023-24: US$ 69.9 mn702023-242024-25: US$ 82 mn822024-252025-26: US$ 93.7 mn942025-26
India’s breakfast cereals and puffed grains exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2025-26, lowest in 2020-21 — a 39% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 1.36 per kg1.362021-22: US$ 1.53 per kg2022-23: US$ 1.57 per kg2024-25: US$ 1.81 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.88 per kg1.882020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian breakfast cereals and puffed grains · 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.

2020-21: US$ 62.6 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 52.2 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 51.2 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 69.9 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 82 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 93.7 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 96.8 mn (US$ 77.9 mn – US$ 120 mn)972026-272027-28: US$ 108 mn (US$ 84.4 mn – US$ 137 mn)1082027-28
India’s breakfast cereals and puffed grains exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 108 mn

Likely range US$ 84.4 mn to US$ 137 mn.

Trend
+11.1% a year
Fit (R²)
0.66
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$ 22.4 mn+4.2%
2United KingdomUS$ 9.4 mn+12.8%
3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 8.9 mn+11.8%
4CanadaUS$ 7.6 mn+17.3%
5AustraliaUS$ 6.9 mn+68.6%
6NepalUS$ 4 mn-17.9%
7BangladeshUS$ 2.4 mn-17.6%
8NetherlandsUS$ 2.4 mn+57.7%
9Saudi ArabiaUS$ 2.3 mn-2.2%
10MaldivesUS$ 2 mn-4.7%
11Sri LankaUS$ 2 mn+14.6%
12IrelandUS$ 1.9 mn+78.8%

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

  1. GhanaUS$ 40k → US$ 1.2 mn+2,950%
  2. Papua N GnaUS$ 480k → US$ 1.1 mn+137.5%
  3. IrelandUS$ 1 mn → US$ 1.9 mn+78.8%
  4. AustraliaUS$ 4.1 mn → US$ 6.9 mn+68.6%
  5. New ZealandUS$ 930k → US$ 1.5 mn+60.2%
  6. NetherlandsUS$ 1.5 mn → US$ 2.4 mn+57.7%
  7. CanadaUS$ 6.5 mn → US$ 7.6 mn+17.3%
  8. Sri LankaUS$ 1.7 mn → US$ 2 mn+14.6%

Low demand

  1. QatarUS$ 1.8 mn → US$ 1.1 mn-36.2%
  2. NepalUS$ 4.9 mn → US$ 4 mn-17.9%
  3. BangladeshUS$ 3 mn → US$ 2.4 mn-17.6%

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 lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Other papd foods obtnd by swlno/rstng of crls1904 10 90 · Food preparations, obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal productsUS$ 49.6 mn+14%20,448 tonnesUS$ 2.42 per kgwas US$ 2.40
Food preparations, obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products — corn flakes1904 10 10US$ 12.1 mn+2.7%5,748 tonnesUS$ 2.10 per kgwas US$ 2.16
Food preparations, obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products — pawa,mudi and the like1904 10 20US$ 12 mn-2.4%13,406 tonnesUS$ 0.89 per kgwas US$ 0.93
Others-of-prpd foods obtnd frm roastd/unroastd or mxtr or unroastd crls flks1904 20 90 · Food preparations, obtained from unroasted cereal flakes or from mixtures of unroasted cereal flakes and…US$ 10.8 mn+70.5%5,941 tonnesUS$ 1.82 per kgwas US$ 1.76
Other prpd foods obtnd from rstd crl flks1904 90 00 · Food preparations, cereal or cereal products, in grain form, pre-cooked or otherwise preparedUS$ 8.8 mn+13%4,182 tonnesUS$ 2.10 per kgwas US$ 1.60
Prepared foods obtained from unroasted cereal flakes or from mixtures of with millet content 15% or more by weight1904 20 10 · Food preparations, obtained from unroasted cereal flakes or from mixtures of unroasted cereal flakes and…US$ 430k+30.3%41 tonnesUS$ 10.45 per kgwas US$ 10.09
Food preparations, obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products — bulgar wheat1904 10 30US$ 40k+33.3%13 tonnesUS$ 3.20 per kgwas US$ 5.26

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$ 8.3 bn
2023
India among exporters
#27
of 144 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.7%
US$ 63.5 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 8.58 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 921 mn 10.7%
  2. 2USAUS$ 727 mn 8.4%
  3. 3United KingdomUS$ 707 mn 8.2%
  4. 4PolandUS$ 588 mn 6.8%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 500 mn 5.8%
  6. 6SpainUS$ 495 mn 5.7%
  7. 7BelgiumUS$ 446 mn 5.2%
  8. 8CanadaUS$ 417 mn 4.8%
  9. 9MexicoUS$ 396 mn 4.6%
  10. 10ChinaUS$ 357 mn 4.1%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 949 mn 11.4%
  2. 2CanadaUS$ 637 mn 7.7%
  3. 3GermanyUS$ 610 mn 7.4%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 536 mn 6.5%
  5. 5United KingdomUS$ 476 mn 5.7%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 384 mn 4.6%
  7. 7ItalyUS$ 323 mn 3.9%
  8. 8BelgiumUS$ 257 mn 3.1%
  9. 9SpainUS$ 213 mn 2.6%
  10. 10ChinaUS$ 208 mn 2.5%

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.

United States of AmericaUS$ 1.05 bnIndia 2.3% · gap US$ 1.02 bn
CanadaUS$ 659 mnIndia 1% · gap US$ 653 mn
GermanyUS$ 647 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 645 mn
FranceUS$ 477 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 476 mn
United KingdomUS$ 476 mnIndia 0.9% · gap US$ 472 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 403 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 403 mn
ItalyUS$ 321 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 321 mn
SpainUS$ 196 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 196 mn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 158 mnIndia 1.9% · gap US$ 155 mn
ChinaUS$ 155 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 155 mn

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 breakfast cereals and puffed grains

World breakfast-cereal trade is led by multinational brands made in Europe and North America. India’s exports are corn flakes and muesli from Indian brands, puffed rice and flakes for diaspora cooking, and millet-based cereals. APEDA counts these under cereal preparations, which went mainly to the USA, the UAE, the UK, Nepal and Canada in 2025-26. The openings are millet and high-fibre cereals for health-food buyers and private label for Gulf and South Asian retailers.

  1. 01Choose the line

    Pick corn flakes, muesli, puffed rice or millet cereal for a clear buyer.

  2. 02Check claims

    Check every nutrition, health and “gluten-free” claim against destination rules.

  3. 03Test inputs

    Test grains for mycotoxins and residues before processing.

  4. 04Make the export label

    Design a label for the destination’s law — not the Indian label — and have the importer approve it before printing.

  5. 05Price the freight

    Cereal is bulky; calculate cartons per container before quoting.

  6. 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.

  7. 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 breakfast cereals and puffed grains

Which HS line is muesli with millets?
Flakes and mixes with 15% or more millet by weight have their own line, 1904 20 10.
Is puffed rice in this heading?
Yes — murmura, mudi and similar are 1904 10 20.
What RoDTEP applies?
All lines under 1904: 0.5% of FOB.
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.
Sources (4)
  1. APEDA — Cereal Preparations (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. EU — Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers
  4. FSSAI — Notified food testing laboratories

Who buys Indian breakfast cereals and puffed grains

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