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Processed food

Export pasta and noodles

Instant noodles, vermicelli and pasta — Indian brands for diaspora and African markets, and private label for nearby countries.

Free to exportHS 1902
HS code
1902
Pasta, cooked or not, stuffed or not: uncooked pasta (1902 11–19), stuffed pasta (1902 20), instant noodles and other pasta (1902 30), couscous (1902 40).
Export policy
Free to export
Free. Watch wheat-policy changes (DGFT Notifications 13 and 35/2026-27 amended the export policy of wheat); pasta under 1902 was not among the lines we saw amended — confirm your line on DGFT.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 63 mn
to 85 countries

What is exported

India exports instant noodles, roasted vermicelli (seviyan), macaroni and millet or rice noodles. Buyers are diaspora grocers, African distributors and neighbouring countries. 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

  • Instant noodles (1902 30)With seasoning sachet; Indian flavours.
  • Vermicelli (seviyan)Roasted wheat vermicelli for diaspora and Gulf.
  • Macaroni and pasta (1902 19)Durum and maida pasta.
  • Millet and rice noodlesHealth-food positioning.

Where it is grown or made

  • Madhya Pradesh and GujaratWheat-based vermicelli and pasta (Indore, Ahmedabad).
  • Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and PunjabNoodle and vermicelli plants.
  • Karnataka and Tamil NaduRice and millet noodles.

Export packing

  • Retail packs printed to the destination’s labelling law, in master cartons on pallets; mixed-product containers are common for diaspora buyers.

Who buys abroad

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

The quality buyers ask for

Codex standard
Instant noodles CXS 249-2006 — moisture, acid value of fried noodles and other limits
Additives
Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels
Allergens
Controlled and declared to the destination’s list (the EU has 14 allergens; the USA includes sesame)
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.
  • 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 for instant noodles; longer for dried pasta and vermicelli.

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.
  • Seasoning sachets: MSG, salt and additive limits; ethylene oxide checks on spice inputs.
  • Microbiology and shelf-life tests from an NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified lab.
How to start small

Start with vermicelli or millet noodles for diaspora shops in a mixed LCL load, using a co-packer with FSSAI and FSSC 22000. 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.
  • Insect infestation in long storage — fumigate stock and use sealed packs.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  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. DGFT Notification 35/2026-27 (24 Aug 2026) — amendment in the export policy of wheat
  4. FSSAI — FoSCoS food licensing portal
  5. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian pasta and noodles exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 63 mn
+7.3% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +3.7%
US$ 60.7 mn → US$ 63 mn
Buyer countries
85
Average export price
US$ 1.98
per kg · 31,833 tonnes shipped · US$ 2.00 the year before
United States of America: US$ 12 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 8.2 mnCanada: US$ 6.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 6.7 mnSouth Africa: US$ 5.2 mnBhutan: US$ 4.4 mnAustralia: US$ 3.2 mnOman: US$ 1.6 mnGermany: US$ 1.5 mnNepal: US$ 1.1 mnNetherlands: US$ 1.1 mnQatar: US$ 890kSingapore: US$ 890kYemen: US$ 860kMexico: US$ 840kSaudi Arabia: US$ 830kIreland: US$ 690kNew Zealand: US$ 680kKuwait: US$ 550kMalaysia: US$ 540kItaly: US$ 490kBangladesh: US$ 430kNigeria: US$ 300kSouth Korea: US$ 220kBahrain: US$ 200kUnited States of America: US$ 12 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Kingdom: US$ 8.2 mnUnited KingdomCanada: US$ 6.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 6.7 mnUnited Arab EmiratesSouth Africa: US$ 5.2 mnSouth AfricaBhutan: US$ 4.4 mnBhutanAustralia: US$ 3.2 mnAustraliaOman: US$ 1.6 mnGermany: US$ 1.5 mnNepal: US$ 1.1 mnNetherlands: US$ 1.1 mnQatar: US$ 890kSingapore: US$ 890kYemen: US$ 860kMexico: US$ 840kSaudi Arabia: US$ 830kIreland: US$ 690kNew Zealand: US$ 680kKuwait: US$ 550kMalaysia: US$ 540kItaly: US$ 490kBangladesh: US$ 430kNigeria: US$ 300kSouth Korea: US$ 220kBahrain: US$ 200kIndia
Where Indian pasta and noodles goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 44.3 mn442020-212021-22: US$ 29.5 mn292021-222022-23: US$ 47.2 mn472022-232023-24: US$ 49.5 mn502023-242024-25: US$ 60.7 mn612024-252025-26: US$ 63 mn632025-26
India’s pasta and noodles exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2020-21, lowest in 2021-22 — a 15% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.10 per kg2.102021-22: US$ 1.83 per kg1.832022-23: US$ 1.92 per kg2024-25: US$ 2.00 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.98 per kg1.982020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian pasta and noodles · 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$ 44.3 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 29.5 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 47.2 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 49.5 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 60.7 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 63 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 70.9 mn (US$ 54.5 mn – US$ 92.2 mn)712026-272027-28: US$ 79.4 mn (US$ 59.2 mn – US$ 106 mn)792027-28
India’s pasta and noodles exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 79.4 mn

Likely range US$ 59.2 mn to US$ 106 mn.

Trend
+12% a year
Fit (R²)
0.6
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$ 12 mn-33.5%
2United KingdomUS$ 8.2 mn+71.2%
3CanadaUS$ 6.8 mn-19.1%
4United Arab EmiratesUS$ 6.7 mn+4.6%
5South AfricaUS$ 5.2 mn+2,631.6%
6BhutanUS$ 4.4 mn-15.2%
7AustraliaUS$ 3.2 mn-9.7%
8OmanUS$ 1.6 mn+147%
9GermanyUS$ 1.5 mn+374.2%
10NepalUS$ 1.1 mn+7.9%
11NetherlandsUS$ 1.1 mn-33.5%
12QatarUS$ 890k-9.2%

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. South AfricaUS$ 190k → US$ 5.2 mn+2,631.6%
  2. GermanyUS$ 310k → US$ 1.5 mn+374.2%
  3. OmanUS$ 660k → US$ 1.6 mn+147%
  4. United KingdomUS$ 4.8 mn → US$ 8.2 mn+71.2%

Low demand

  1. MexicoUS$ 1.7 mn → US$ 840k-49.4%
  2. United States of AmericaUS$ 18.1 mn → US$ 12 mn-33.5%
  3. NetherlandsUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 1.1 mn-33.5%
  4. CanadaUS$ 8.4 mn → US$ 6.8 mn-19.1%
  5. BhutanUS$ 5.1 mn → US$ 4.4 mn-15.2%

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
Food preparations, pasta, cooked or otherwise prepared — dried other pasta1902 30 10US$ 31.2 mn+0.5%16,400 tonnesUS$ 1.90 per kgwas US$ 2.00
Other uncookd notstfd/othrwse prpd psta1902 19 00 · Food preparations, pasta, uncooked, not stuffed or otherwise preparedUS$ 12.3 mn-11.1%6,976 tonnesUS$ 1.76 per kgwas US$ 1.89
Other pasta other than dried pasta1902 30 90 · Food preparations, pasta, cooked or otherwise preparedUS$ 11.4 mn+52.6%4,633 tonnesUS$ 2.45 per kgwas US$ 1.97
Food preparations, pasta, stuffed, whether or not cooked or otherwise prepared — cooked stuffed pasta1902 20 10US$ 4.4 mn+20.8%1,723 tonnesUS$ 2.57 per kgwas US$ 2.53
Other stuffed pasta whether or not cookd/othrwse prpd1902 20 90 · Food preparations, pasta, stuffed, whether or not cooked or otherwise preparedUS$ 2.1 mn-18%1,119 tonnesUS$ 1.83 per kgwas US$ 2.37
Other couscous whether or not prepared1902 40 90 · Food preparations, couscousUS$ 1.2 mn-32.6%737 tonnesUS$ 1.63 per kgwas US$ 1.89
Uncokd psta ntstfd/othrwse prpd containing eggs1902 11 00 · Food preparations, pasta, containing eggs, uncooked, not stuffed or otherwise preparedUS$ 230k-39.5%111 tonnesUS$ 2.07 per kgwas US$ 2.21
Unprepared couscous whether or not prepared1902 40 10 · Food preparations, couscousUS$ 210k+90.9%133 tonnesUS$ 1.58 per kgwas US$ 1.48

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$ 14 bn
2023
India among exporters
#41
of 149 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.3%
US$ 46.4 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 15.5 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ItalyUS$ 4.46 bn 28.8%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 1.21 bn 7.8%
  3. 3Rep. of KoreaUS$ 1.18 bn 7.6%
  4. 4TürkiyeUS$ 908 mn 5.9%
  5. 5ThailandUS$ 695 mn 4.5%
  6. 6GermanyUS$ 481 mn 3.1%
  7. 7USAUS$ 462 mn 3%
  8. 8Viet NamUS$ 449 mn 2.9%
  9. 9IndonesiaUS$ 409 mn 2.6%
  10. 10NetherlandsUS$ 399 mn 2.6%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 1.63 bn 11.7%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 1.26 bn 9%
  3. 3United KingdomUS$ 1.09 bn 7.8%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 1.08 bn 7.7%
  5. 5CanadaUS$ 627 mn 4.5%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 595 mn 4.3%
  7. 7JapanUS$ 452 mn 3.2%
  8. 8ChinaUS$ 397 mn 2.8%
  9. 9AustraliaUS$ 352 mn 2.5%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 346 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$ 1.91 bnIndia 0.9% · gap US$ 1.89 bn
GermanyUS$ 1.36 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.36 bn
United KingdomUS$ 1.09 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 1.09 bn
FranceUS$ 1.08 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.08 bn
CanadaUS$ 708 mnIndia 1.2% · gap US$ 699 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 701 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 699 mn
JapanUS$ 465 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 464 mn
ChinaUS$ 450 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 450 mn
SpainUS$ 356 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 356 mn
AustraliaUS$ 352 mnIndia 0.9% · gap US$ 349 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 pasta and noodles

Italy leads world pasta trade and China, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand lead instant noodles. India’s exports are mostly vermicelli, instant noodles with Indian flavours and millet or rice noodles, sold to diaspora shops, the Gulf, Africa and neighbouring countries. 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 Indian-flavour noodles and millet-based products positioned as healthier choices.

  1. 01Choose the product

    Pick vermicelli, noodles or millet pasta for a defined buyer group.

  2. 02Review the seasoning

    Check MSG, salt, colours and spice contaminants for the destination.

  3. 03Make the export label

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

  4. 04Test and fumigate

    Test moisture and micro; fumigate stored stock against insects.

  5. 05Register abroad

    FDA facility registration for the USA; product registration where needed.

  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 pasta and noodles

Do wheat export rules affect pasta?
The 2026 wheat amendments (Notifications 13 and 35/2026-27) were on wheat; pasta under 1902 was not among the lines we saw amended. Check DGFT.
Can I sell millet noodles as gluten-free?
Only if tested and made without wheat contamination; it is a legal claim.
What RoDTEP applies?
All pasta and noodles under 1902: 1.3% 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 (5)
  1. APEDA — Cereal Preparations (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. Codex Alimentarius — list of standards
  3. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  4. DGFT Notification 35/2026-27 (24 Aug 2026) — amendment in the export policy of wheat
  5. FSSAI — Notified food testing laboratories

Who buys Indian pasta and noodles

All countries →

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