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Farm produce

Export seeds for sowing

Hybrid vegetable and flower seed from Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra. Some seeds are restricted; others need an affidavit.

Free, with conditionsHS 1209
HS code
1209
Seeds, fruit and spores of a kind used for sowing: vegetable seeds (1209 91), flower and herbaceous plant seeds (1209 30), forage seeds and other seeds (1209 99).
Export policy
Free, with conditions
Seeds of trees, hedges, ornamental plants, flowers and vegetables are free, subject to an affidavit that the seed is not breeder, foundation or wild-variety seed, with the source of procurement. Onion seed, berseem seed, neem seed, seeds of forestry species and wild varieties of wheat and paddy have been restricted (export only under licence). Confirm the current status of your seed on DGFT.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 166 mn
to 98 countries

What is exported

India is a major producer of hybrid vegetable seed — tomato, chilli, okra, gourds, melons — much of it grown by farmers under contract for Indian and multinational seed companies. Seed is exported to neighbouring countries, South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and seed grown for foreign companies goes back to them for processing and sale.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Hybrid vegetable seedTomato, chilli, okra, cucumber, gourds, melons and watermelon.
  • Open-pollinated vegetable seedLower-priced seed for neighbouring and African markets.
  • Flower seedMarigold, zinnia and other flower seed grown under contract.
  • Forage and grass seedSorghum-sudan and other forage seed (berseem is restricted).

Where it is grown or made

  • KarnatakaRanebennur (Haveri), Dharwad, Koppal and Ballari — hybrid vegetable seed production.
  • Telangana and Andhra PradeshHyderabad seed industry and production in Kurnool, Gadwal and nearby districts.
  • MaharashtraJalna and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar seed companies.
  • Gujarat and PunjabVegetable and flower seed growers.

Season

Most hybrid seed is produced in the rabi (winter) season and processed in spring; shipments to the northern hemisphere go ahead of their spring sowing.

Export packing

  • Moisture-proof aluminium-foil or laminated pouches and tins inside cartons; bulk seed in lined bags.
  • High-value hybrid seed often travels by air; label with variety, lot, germination, purity and treatment.

Who buys abroad

  • Seed companies (for contract-grown seed and private-label lines)
  • Seed distributors in Nepal, Bangladesh, the Middle East and Africa
  • Garden-seed packers in Europe and the USA

The quality buyers ask for

Germination
Minimum germination per crop as agreed (often 80–90% or higher for hybrid vegetables)
Purity
Physical purity (often 98% or more) and genetic purity confirmed by grow-out or DNA tests
Moisture
Low moisture for storage, often 6–8% for vegetable seed
Health and treatment
Free of seed-borne diseases listed by the importer; treatment chemicals declared

Certificates

  • Phytosanitary certificateRequiredIssued by Plant Quarantine on PQMS for each consignment of plant material.
  • Affidavit (Schedule 2)RequiredDeclaration that the seed is not breeder, foundation or wild-variety seed, with its source, required by DGFT policy.
  • ISTA certificateOften askedOrange or Blue International Seed Lot Certificate from an ISTA-accredited lab, asked for by many buyers.
  • OECD seed certificationOften askedVarietal certification under the OECD Seed Schemes, which India has joined, for buyers that require it.
  • RCMCRequiredRegistration with the export promotion council or board for your product (not needed up to ₹3 lakh FOB per consignment since 15 Sep 2026).

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

High-value seed by air in cartons; bulk seed in lined bags in 20-ft containers by sea, away from heat.

How it travels

Air from Bengaluru and Hyderabad; sea from Chennai, Nhava Sheva and Mundra; road to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Storage

Cool, dry conditions (often climate-controlled stores at about 15–20 °C and low humidity).

Shelf life

Typically one to two years in sealed packs, depending on crop.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Packs: crop, variety name, lot number, germination and purity percentages, test date, treatment declaration (with warning if treated), net weight and producer.
  • Follow the importing country’s seed labelling law; many need labels in the local language.
Where to get it tested

For ISTA certificates, use an ISTA-accredited laboratory (list on seedtest.org); State Seed Testing Laboratories and NABL-accredited labs test germination and purity (nabl-india.org). Plant Quarantine inspects seed for the phytosanitary certificate.

Benefits of exporting this product

  • RoDTEP: 0.9% of FOB

    Tariff item 1209 91 10 to 1209 99 90 (vegetable, fruit and other seeds for sowing) earns 0.9% of FOB value, with no rupee cap, as a duty credit scrip on ICEGATE (Appendix 4R). Flower and herbaceous plant seed (1209 30 00) and forage seeds (1209 21–29) also earn 0.9%. Rates continue to 31 Dec 2026 (DGFT Notification 41/2026-27). Confirm your exact 8-digit line on DGFT before pricing an order.

    DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification 32/2024-25) ↗

Where to register

  • Plant Quarantine (DPPQS)Phytosanitary certificate for each consignment of plant material, applied for online on PQMS. Some importing countries also ask for an import permit or a registered production site.pqms.cgg.gov.in ↗
  • Export promotion council (RCMC)RCMC from the council that covers your seed under Appendix 2T (for example IOPEPC for oilseeds), or from FIEO where no product council applies.dgft.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Germination, physical purity, genetic purity and moisture reports; buyers often ask for ISTA certificates from an ISTA-accredited lab.
  • Seed-borne disease testing and seed treatment declarations demanded by the importing country’s plant protection agency.
  • Import permit and variety registration in the buying country, where its seed law requires them.
How to start small

Start by exporting vegetable seed of public or licensed varieties to Nepal or Bangladesh, where the buyer handles local registration. Keep the affidavit, the grower contracts and the lab reports for every lot. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). Registrations that a law requires for the product still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Exporting a restricted seed (such as onion seed) without a DGFT licence.
  • Selling a protected variety you have no right to — seed companies enforce plant variety rights abroad.
  • Germination falling during a hot, humid voyage; use moisture-proof packs and keep seed dry.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  2. DGFT — How to read the ITC(HS) export policy (Schedule 2)
  3. Plant Quarantine (DPPQS) — PQMS portal for phytosanitary certificates
  4. International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) — accredited laboratories and certificates
  5. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification 32/2024-25)

Trade data

Indian seeds for sowing exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 166 mn
+5.8% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +3.9%
US$ 160 mn → US$ 166 mn
Buyer countries
98
Average export price
US$ 9.11
per kg · 18,186 tonnes shipped · US$ 7.00 the year before
Netherlands: US$ 26.4 mnUnited States of America: US$ 24.6 mnBangladesh: US$ 16.2 mnThailand: US$ 9.4 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 7.7 mnItaly: US$ 6.2 mnFrance: US$ 4.7 mnSouth Korea: US$ 4.3 mnKenya: US$ 4.2 mnMalaysia: US$ 4.1 mnRussia: US$ 3.5 mnTürkiye: US$ 3.3 mnJapan: US$ 3.2 mnSpain: US$ 3 mnTanzania: US$ 2.6 mnPhilippines: US$ 2.6 mnVietnam: US$ 2.5 mnTaiwan: US$ 2.4 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2.3 mnJordan: US$ 2 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 2 mnChina: US$ 1.9 mnSingapore: US$ 1.7 mnNepal: US$ 1.6 mnNetherlands: US$ 26.4 mnNetherlandsUnited States of America: US$ 24.6 mnUnited States of AmericaBangladesh: US$ 16.2 mnBangladeshThailand: US$ 9.4 mnThailandUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 7.7 mnUnited Arab EmiratesItaly: US$ 6.2 mnItalyFrance: US$ 4.7 mnSouth Korea: US$ 4.3 mnKenya: US$ 4.2 mnMalaysia: US$ 4.1 mnRussia: US$ 3.5 mnTürkiye: US$ 3.3 mnJapan: US$ 3.2 mnSpain: US$ 3 mnTanzania: US$ 2.6 mnPhilippines: US$ 2.6 mnVietnam: US$ 2.5 mnTaiwan: US$ 2.4 mnSri Lanka: US$ 2.3 mnJordan: US$ 2 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 2 mnChina: US$ 1.9 mnSingapore: US$ 1.7 mnNepal: US$ 1.6 mnIndia
Where Indian seeds for sowing goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 125 mn1252020-212021-22: US$ 113 mn1132021-222022-23: US$ 118 mn1182022-232023-24: US$ 133 mn1332023-242024-25: US$ 160 mn1602024-252025-26: US$ 166 mn1662025-26
India’s seeds for sowing 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 135% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 3.88 per kg3.882021-22: US$ 5.40 per kg2022-23: US$ 5.52 per kg2024-25: US$ 7.00 per kg2025-26: US$ 9.11 per kg9.112020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian seeds for sowing · 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$ 125 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 113 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 118 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 133 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 160 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 166 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 173 mn (US$ 154 mn – US$ 196 mn)1732026-272027-28: US$ 186 mn (US$ 163 mn – US$ 213 mn)1862027-28
India’s seeds for sowing exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 186 mn

Likely range US$ 163 mn to US$ 213 mn.

Trend
+7.5% a year
Fit (R²)
0.75
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
1NetherlandsUS$ 26.4 mn+5.6%
2United States of AmericaUS$ 24.6 mn-13.7%
3BangladeshUS$ 16.2 mn-16.3%
4ThailandUS$ 9.4 mn+42.1%
5United Arab EmiratesUS$ 7.7 mn-32.8%
6ItalyUS$ 6.2 mn+46.8%
7FranceUS$ 4.7 mn-5.5%
8South KoreaUS$ 4.3 mn-8%
9KenyaUS$ 4.2 mn+6.5%
10MalaysiaUS$ 4.1 mn-25.7%
11RussiaUS$ 3.5 mn+405.7%
12TürkiyeUS$ 3.3 mn+12.7%

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. RussiaUS$ 700k → US$ 3.5 mn+405.7%
  2. SingaporeUS$ 530k → US$ 1.7 mn+213.2%
  3. SpainUS$ 1.3 mn → US$ 3 mn+131.8%
  4. TaiwanUS$ 1.3 mn → US$ 2.4 mn+82.2%
  5. ChinaUS$ 1.1 mn → US$ 1.9 mn+66.1%
  6. PhilippinesUS$ 1.7 mn → US$ 2.6 mn+55.8%
  7. ItalyUS$ 4.2 mn → US$ 6.2 mn+46.8%
  8. ThailandUS$ 6.6 mn → US$ 9.4 mn+42.1%

Low demand

  1. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 11.4 mn → US$ 7.7 mn-32.8%
  2. MalaysiaUS$ 5.5 mn → US$ 4.1 mn-25.7%
  3. UgandaUS$ 1.8 mn → US$ 1.4 mn-21.3%
  4. VietnamUS$ 3 mn → US$ 2.5 mn-17.8%
  5. BangladeshUS$ 19.4 mn → US$ 16.2 mn-16.3%
  6. United States of AmericaUS$ 28.5 mn → US$ 24.6 mn-13.7%

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
Vegetable seeds for planting n.e.s.1209 91 90 · Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 77.6 mn+9.7%6,205 tonnesUS$ 12.50 per kgwas US$ 11.02
Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing — tomato seeds1209 91 60US$ 34.6 mn+5.9%107 tonnesUS$ 323.28 per kgwas US$ 392.48
Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing — chilly seeds1209 91 70US$ 12.4 mn-15.8%2,718 tonnesUS$ 4.57 per kgwas US$ 2.24
Other seeds etc. for planting n.e.s1209 99 90 · Seeds in heading 1209, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 10.7 mn-36.5%4,468 tonnesUS$ 2.40 per kgwas US$ 2.81
Fruit seeds for planting or sowings1209 99 10 · Seeds in heading 1209, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 10.1 mn+19.4%270 tonnesUS$ 37.51 per kgwas US$ 33.42
Lucerne (alfalfa) seed of forage plants1209 21 00 · Seeds of forage plants, lucerne seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 6.1 mn+108.5%1,730 tonnesUS$ 3.54 per kgwas US$ 3.48
Onion seeds used for sowing1209 91 30 · Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 3.9 mn+12.4%423 tonnesUS$ 9.19 per kgwas US$ 5.63
Seeds of herbaceus plnts cultvtd for flwrs1209 30 00 · Seeds of herbaceous plants, cultivated principally for their flowers, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 3.6 mn-16.7%219 tonnesUS$ 16.58 per kgwas US$ 14.16
Cabbage seeds used for sowing1209 91 10 · Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 3.1 mn+191.4%16 tonnesUS$ 187.47 per kgwas US$ 89.41
Radish seeds used for sowing1209 91 50 · Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 1.4 mn0%1,132 tonnesUS$ 1.19 per kgwas US$ 1.48
Cauliflower seeds used for sowing1209 91 20 · Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 850k-30.3%12 tonnesUS$ 71.81 per kgwas US$ 48.26
Other seed of forage plants1209 29 90 · Seeds of forage plants, other than lucerne, clover, fescue, Kentucky blue grass, and rye grass seeds, of a…US$ 650k+25%415 tonnesUS$ 1.57 per kgwas US$ 1.64
Seeds, vegetable seeds, of a kind used for sowing — pea seeds used for sowing1209 91 40US$ 530k-44.8%406 tonnesUS$ 1.31 per kgwas US$ 2.42
Kentucky blue grass (poa pratensis l) seedof forage plants1209 24 00 · Seeds of forage plants, Kentucky blue grass seeds, of a kind used for sowingUS$ 50k+400%24 tonnesUS$ 2.08 per kgwas US$ 50.00

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$ 8.5 bn
2023
India among exporters
#15
of 137 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.5%
US$ 128 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 8.48 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1NetherlandsUS$ 2.51 bn 29.1%
  2. 2USAUS$ 997 mn 11.6%
  3. 3FranceUS$ 803 mn 9.3%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 776 mn 9%
  5. 5DenmarkUS$ 427 mn 5%
  6. 6ItalyUS$ 369 mn 4.3%
  7. 7ChileUS$ 198 mn 2.3%
  8. 8BelgiumUS$ 177 mn 2.1%
  9. 9IsraelUS$ 169 mn 2%
  10. 10New ZealandUS$ 162 mn 1.9%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1NetherlandsUS$ 828 mn 9.7%
  2. 2USAUS$ 625 mn 7.4%
  3. 3MexicoUS$ 587 mn 6.9%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 502 mn 5.9%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 491 mn 5.8%
  6. 6ChinaUS$ 457 mn 5.4%
  7. 7SpainUS$ 431 mn 5.1%
  8. 8ItalyUS$ 379 mn 4.5%
  9. 9CanadaUS$ 292 mn 3.4%
  10. 10JapanUS$ 210 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.

NetherlandsUS$ 888 mnIndia 2.4% · gap US$ 866 mn
United States of AmericaUS$ 642 mnIndia 6.1% · gap US$ 603 mn
FranceUS$ 542 mnIndia 1.3% · gap US$ 535 mn
GermanyUS$ 510 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 509 mn
ChinaUS$ 458 mnIndia 3.4% · gap US$ 443 mn
SpainUS$ 444 mnIndia 2.3% · gap US$ 434 mn
ItalyUS$ 445 mnIndia 5.2% · gap US$ 422 mn
CanadaUS$ 308 mnIndia 6.5% · gap US$ 288 mn
JapanUS$ 209 mnIndia 2.3% · gap US$ 204 mn
United KingdomUS$ 185 mnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 183 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 seeds for sowing

The Netherlands, the USA, France and China lead world seed exports; India is a major producer of hybrid vegetable and field-crop seed, with low production costs and skilled contract growers. Multinational and Indian seed companies grow seed in India both for the home market and for export. Demand is strongest in South and South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Openings lie in contract seed production for global companies and in tropical vegetable varieties.

  1. 01Check policy and rights

    Confirm on DGFT that your seed is not restricted and that you have the right to sell the variety.

  2. 02Check the buyer country’s rules

    Find out about import permits, variety registration and phytosanitary conditions for the seed.

  3. 03Produce and process

    Grow under contract with isolation, then clean, grade, treat and dry the seed.

  4. 04Test and certify

    Test germination, purity and health (ISTA lab if asked) and get the phytosanitary certificate.

  5. 05Pack and ship with the affidavit

    Pack in moisture-proof material and file the shipping bill with the affidavit required by DGFT policy.

  6. 06Get 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, RoSCTL or drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting seeds for sowing

Can I export any seed freely?
No. Onion, berseem, neem and forestry seeds and wild varieties have been restricted. Others are free with an affidavit. Confirm on DGFT.
What is the affidavit for?
It declares that the seed is not breeder, foundation or wild-variety seed and states where you bought it.
Do buyers need an ISTA certificate?
Many do, especially seed companies and regulated markets. Ask before testing.
Can I sell a variety bred by another company?
Only with a licence from the rights holder; protected varieties are enforced in India and abroad.
What RoDTEP applies?
Seeds for sowing under 1209 earn 0.9% of FOB with no rupee cap.
Sources (6)
  1. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  2. DGFT — How to read the ITC(HS) export policy (Schedule 2)
  3. Plant Quarantine (DPPQS) — PQMS portal for phytosanitary certificates
  4. International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) — accredited laboratories and certificates
  5. OECD Seed Schemes
  6. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification 32/2024-25)

Who buys Indian seeds for sowing

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