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Processed food

Export processed food

Snacks, pickles, ready-to-eat meals, sauces, biscuits and mixes. FSSAI licence plus the buyer country’s labelling and registration rules.

Free to exportHS 19–21
HS code
19–21
Chapters 19 (cereal and bakery products), 20 (fruit and vegetable preparations, pickles, pulp) and 21 (sauces, mixes, instant foods). Each product has its own 8-digit line.
Export policy
Free to export
Free for most items. Products with restricted ingredients (for example wheat flour and products under HS 1101, whose policy DGFT amended in 2026) follow their own rules — check each 8-digit line on DGFT.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 4.19 bn
to 195 countries

What is exported

APEDA counts US$ 8.03 billion of processed-food exports in 2025-26. Miscellaneous preparations (sauces, ketchup, curry paste, ice cream and more) went mainly to the USA, the UAE, Malaysia, the UK and Australia; cereal preparations (biscuits, papad, pasta, extruded snacks) mainly to the USA, the UAE, the UK, Nepal and Canada. Much of this is bought by importers who supply Indian and South Asian shoppers abroad.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Biscuits, papad and extruded snacks (1905)Shelf-stable cereal products, mostly for diaspora shops.
  • Pickles and chutneys (2001)Mango, lime and mixed pickles in jars and pouches.
  • Sauces, curry pastes and seasonings (2103)Ready cooking bases and spice mixes.
  • Ready-to-eat and instant mixes (2106)Retort meals, idli/dosa mixes and similar.
  • Mango pulp and fruit productsAseptic pulp and canned fruit for juice and dairy makers.

Where it is grown or made

  • MaharashtraPune, Nashik and Mumbai region — snacks, sauces, ready meals.
  • GujaratAhmedabad, Rajkot and Vadodara — namkeen, papad, frozen snacks.
  • Andhra Pradesh and Tamil NaduChittoor and Krishnagiri — mango pulp; Chennai and Coimbatore food parks.
  • Kerala and PunjabKerala — spice mixes, pickles, coconut products; Punjab — frozen and ready-to-eat foods.

Export packing

  • Retail packs printed to the destination’s labelling law (ingredients, allergens, nutrition panel, importer name, best-before).
  • Master cartons on pallets in 20-ft or 40-ft dry containers; frozen lines in reefers.
  • Mixed-product containers (many SKUs) are common for diaspora distributors.

Who buys abroad

  • Ethnic Indian and South Asian food distributors in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia
  • Gulf hypermarkets and their private labels
  • Food manufacturers buying pulp, pastes and ingredients

The quality buyers ask for

Product standard
FSSAI product standards at home; Codex commodity standards and the importing country’s own standards abroad
Shelf stability
Water activity, pH and process (retort, pasteurisation, drying) validated for the stated shelf life
Additives
Only colours, preservatives and additives permitted in the destination, at permitted levels
Microbiology
Meets the destination’s microbiological criteria (Salmonella, Listeria for chilled foods, etc.)
US canned and acidified foods
Low-acid canned and acidified foods need FDA establishment registration (FCE) and process filing (SID) under 21 CFR 108, 113 and 114
Allergens
Allergen control and declaration to the destination’s list (the USA includes sesame; the EU has 14 allergens)

Certificates

  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is 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.
  • US FDA food-facility registrationOften askedEvery facility making food for the USA must be registered with the FDA; canned and acidified foods also need FCE/SID filing.
  • ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management system certification. FSSC 22000 is recognised by GFSI, which large retailers and brand owners look for.
  • BRCGS Food SafetyOften askedGFSI-recognised standard asked for by UK and many EU supermarkets for private-label packing.
  • HACCPOften askedA food-safety plan that identifies hazards at each processing step and controls them. Most importers ask for it from the processing unit.
  • HalalOften askedAsked for by many buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia, especially for processed and animal-origin foods. Use a body the destination recognises.
  • KosherOften askedAsked for by some US and Israeli buyers and by ingredient buyers who supply kosher brands.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Palletised cartons in 20-ft or 40-ft dry containers; frozen foods in reefers at –18 °C; chilled foods are rarely viable by sea.

How it travels

Mostly sea freight; air for samples and high-value, short-life goods.

Storage

As per the product: dry and cool for ambient foods, unbroken cold chain for frozen.

Shelf life

Buyers usually want at least two-thirds of the shelf life left on arrival.

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 date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, and origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in both US and metric units, ingredients, allergens, name and place of business of the packer or distributor, Nutrition Facts unless exempt; and “Product of India” marking (19 CFR 134).
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and the importer’s details. Confirm the current rules with your importer.
  • Canada needs English and French labels; Australia needs a country-of-origin panel — check each market before printing.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and bag — FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 require it, and every importing country uses it to trace and recall.
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. For US canned foods, a qualified process authority must set the thermal process.

Benefits of exporting this product

  • RoDTEP refund on this line

    Examples: biscuits, papad and extruded snacks (1905 31, 1905 90 10–40) 0.9% of FOB; pickles (2001 90 00) 3.4%, capped at ₹2.30 per kg; sauces and curry pastes (2103 90) 1.3%; other food preparations (2106 90 99) 0.9%. Every product has its own line — look yours up. 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 packhouses, cold chain and treatment plants, lab testing and quality systems, and market development (trade fairs, trial shipments, brand registration, retail listing fees). 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. FSSAI rules put food exporters under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you 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 importers require facility registration abroad — for example US FDA food facility registration, or GACC registration for China. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Labels in the buyer’s language with ingredients, allergens, net weight, best-before date and importer details, in the format that country requires.
  • Microbiology, preservatives and colours allowed in that country; pesticide residues and ethylene oxide in spice-based products.
  • Shelf-life testing for the voyage plus time on shelf.
How to start small

Start with one shelf-stable product (pickle, snack or ready mix) made in an FSSAI-licensed unit. Redesign the label for one country, test a sample shipment by air with an ethnic-food importer, then move to LCL sea freight. 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

  • Using the Indian label abroad — wrong format, missing allergens or a non-permitted colour leads to detention.
  • Skipping US FDA facility registration or prior notice; the shipment is refused entry.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (7)
  1. APEDA — Processed Foods (exports by product group, 2025-26)
  2. APEDA — Miscellaneous Preparations profile
  3. APEDA — Cereal Preparations profile
  4. APEDA — Importing countries’ regulations
  5. FSSAI — FoSCoS food licensing portal
  6. APEDA — DGFT notifications for APEDA products
  7. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian processed food exports in numbers

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

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 4.19 bn
+13.2% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +8.9%
US$ 3.85 bn → US$ 4.19 bn
Buyer countries
195
Average export price
US$ 1.98
per kg · 2.12 mn tonnes shipped · US$ 2.07 the year before
United States of America: US$ 626 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 339 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 248 mnRussia: US$ 194 mnCanada: US$ 172 mnAustralia: US$ 168 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 153 mnNetherlands: US$ 141 mnMalaysia: US$ 109 mnNepal: US$ 101 mnPhilippines: US$ 96.4 mnGermany: US$ 94.5 mnBangladesh: US$ 85.2 mnPoland: US$ 57.5 mnKenya: US$ 54.6 mnJapan: US$ 52.9 mnIndonesia: US$ 52.3 mnSouth Africa: US$ 48.2 mnThailand: US$ 45.1 mnSingapore: US$ 44.5 mnOman: US$ 44.4 mnTürkiye: US$ 43.8 mnFrance: US$ 41.1 mnVietnam: US$ 39.5 mnGhana: US$ 36.6 mnUnited States of America: US$ 626 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 339 mnUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom: US$ 248 mnUnited KingdomRussia: US$ 194 mnRussiaCanada: US$ 172 mnAustralia: US$ 168 mnAustraliaSaudi Arabia: US$ 153 mnNetherlands: US$ 141 mnMalaysia: US$ 109 mnMalaysiaNepal: US$ 101 mnPhilippines: US$ 96.4 mnGermany: US$ 94.5 mnBangladesh: US$ 85.2 mnPoland: US$ 57.5 mnKenya: US$ 54.6 mnJapan: US$ 52.9 mnIndonesia: US$ 52.3 mnSouth Africa: US$ 48.2 mnThailand: US$ 45.1 mnSingapore: US$ 44.5 mnOman: US$ 44.4 mnTürkiye: US$ 43.8 mnFrance: US$ 41.1 mnVietnam: US$ 39.5 mnGhana: US$ 36.6 mnIndia
Where Indian processed food goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 2.25 bn2.3k2020-212021-22: US$ 2.49 bn2.5k2021-222022-23: US$ 2.93 bn2.9k2022-232023-24: US$ 3.45 bn3.4k2023-242024-25: US$ 3.85 bn3.9k2024-252025-26: US$ 4.19 bn4.2k2025-26
India’s processed food exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2021-22 — a 6% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.01 per kg2021-22: US$ 1.97 per kg1.972022-23: US$ 2.09 per kg2.092024-25: US$ 2.07 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.98 per kg1.982020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian processed food · 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$ 2.25 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 2.49 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 2.93 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 3.45 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 3.85 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 4.19 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 4.92 bn (US$ 4.74 bn – US$ 5.11 bn)4.9k2026-272027-28: US$ 5.61 bn (US$ 5.38 bn – US$ 5.85 bn)5.6k2027-28
India’s processed food exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 5.61 bn

Likely range US$ 5.38 bn to US$ 5.85 bn.

Trend
+14% 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$ 626 mn-8.8%
2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 339 mn+11.3%
3United KingdomUS$ 248 mn+14.3%
4RussiaUS$ 194 mn+40.6%
5CanadaUS$ 172 mn+0.4%
6AustraliaUS$ 168 mn+9.1%
7Saudi ArabiaUS$ 153 mn+9.4%
8NetherlandsUS$ 141 mn+11.9%
9MalaysiaUS$ 109 mn+5%
10NepalUS$ 101 mn-1.3%
11PhilippinesUS$ 96.4 mn+32%
12GermanyUS$ 94.5 mn+18.4%

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. KenyaUS$ 37.5 mn → US$ 54.6 mn+45.9%
  2. RussiaUS$ 138 mn → US$ 194 mn+40.6%
  3. IndonesiaUS$ 38.2 mn → US$ 52.3 mn+36.6%
  4. PhilippinesUS$ 73.1 mn → US$ 96.4 mn+32%
  5. JapanUS$ 42.1 mn → US$ 52.9 mn+25.5%
  6. SingaporeUS$ 37.2 mn → US$ 44.5 mn+19.6%
  7. GermanyUS$ 79.8 mn → US$ 94.5 mn+18.4%
  8. BangladeshUS$ 72.4 mn → US$ 85.2 mn+17.7%

Low demand

  1. ThailandUS$ 61.3 mn → US$ 45.1 mn-26.4%

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 food preparation not elsewhere specified2106 90 99 · Food preparations in item no. 2106.10US$ 794 mn+13.3%2,27,616 tonnesUS$ 3.49 per kgwas US$ 3.60
Instant coffee not flavoured2101 11 20 · Extracts, essences and concentrates, of coffee, and preparations with a basis of these extracts, essences…US$ 611 mn+19.2%58,205 tonnesUS$ 10.49 per kgwas US$ 9.26
Food preparations, sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa — sweet biscuits1905 31 00US$ 413 mn+12.8%3,44,185 tonnesUS$ 1.20 per kgwas US$ 1.25
Vegetable preparations, potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen — potatoes prpd/prsvd, frzn2004 10 00US$ 289 mn+34.8%2,77,113 tonnesUS$ 1.04 per kgwas US$ 1.17
Cucmbrs and ghrkns prpd/prsvd by acetic acid2001 10 00 · Vegetable preparations, cucumbers and gherkins, prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acidUS$ 207 mn+4.1%1,83,238 tonnesUS$ 1.13 per kgwas US$ 1.14
Other fruits prepared/preserved2008 99 99 · Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar…US$ 123 mn-12.4%1,35,147 tonnesUS$ 0.91 per kgwas US$ 1.14
Nuts, ground-nuts, whether or not containing added sugar, other sweetening matter or spirit — ground nuts , prpd/prsvd2008 11 00US$ 108 mn-9.9%66,009 tonnesUS$ 1.63 per kgwas US$ 1.67
Other edible parts of plants prepared or preserved by vinegar/acetic acid2001 90 00 · Vegetable preparations, vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by…US$ 106 mn+5.6%69,264 tonnesUS$ 1.54 per kgwas US$ 1.60
Jams jellies mrmlds etc.. of mangoe2007 99 10 · Jams, fruit jellies, marmalades, purees and pastes, of fruit or nuts in heading no. 2007, cooked…US$ 87.7 mn-13.2%90,520 tonnesUS$ 0.97 per kgwas US$ 1.38
All other preparation of flr meal strch/mlt extrct1901 90 90 · Food preparations, of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses in heading no. 1901US$ 84.4 mn+3.1%30,743 tonnesUS$ 2.75 per kgwas US$ 2.77
Other bread,pstry,rice papr and smlr products1905 90 90 · Food preparations, bakers' wares in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa, communion wafers…US$ 74 mn-5.6%33,308 tonnesUS$ 2.22 per kgwas US$ 2.19
Other mixed condiments and mixed seasonings2103 90 90 · Sauces and preparations therefor, mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsUS$ 68.1 mn+8.9%22,172 tonnesUS$ 3.07 per kgwas US$ 3.02
Pan-masala includinguding scented supari (betel spices prepared)2106 90 20 · Food preparations in item no. 2106.10US$ 66.4 mn+44.9%2,925 tonnesUS$ 22.71 per kgwas US$ 18.20
Extracts, essences and concentrates, of tea or mate, and preparations with a basis of these extracts… — instant tea2101 20 10US$ 55.9 mn-5.2%8,613 tonnesUS$ 6.49 per kgwas US$ 6.03

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$ 287.8 bn
2023
India among exporters
#23
of 167 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.1%
US$ 3.28 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 290.6 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 23.2 bn 7.9%
  2. 2NetherlandsUS$ 21.4 bn 7.3%
  3. 3USAUS$ 20.9 bn 7.1%
  4. 4ItalyUS$ 19.6 bn 6.7%
  5. 5ChinaUS$ 19.5 bn 6.6%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 13.8 bn 4.7%
  7. 7BelgiumUS$ 13.2 bn 4.5%
  8. 8CanadaUS$ 12.4 bn 4.2%
  9. 9PolandUS$ 11 bn 3.7%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 10.9 bn 3.7%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 40.3 bn 14%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 20.3 bn 7.1%
  3. 3United KingdomUS$ 16.9 bn 5.9%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 15.3 bn 5.3%
  5. 5ChinaUS$ 14.9 bn 5.2%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 11.5 bn 4%
  7. 7CanadaUS$ 10.9 bn 3.8%
  8. 8ItalyUS$ 7.22 bn 2.5%
  9. 9JapanUS$ 7.14 bn 2.5%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 6.11 bn 2.1%

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$ 44.3 bnIndia 1.7% · gap US$ 43.6 bn
GermanyUS$ 21.5 bnIndia 0.6% · gap US$ 21.4 bn
United KingdomUS$ 16.9 bnIndia 1.2% · gap US$ 16.7 bn
ChinaUS$ 15.8 bnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 15.8 bn
FranceUS$ 15.4 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 15.3 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 12.2 bnIndia 0.8% · gap US$ 12.1 bn
CanadaUS$ 11.7 bnIndia 1.3% · gap US$ 11.5 bn
JapanUS$ 7.39 bnIndia 0.6% · gap US$ 7.35 bn
ItalyUS$ 6.91 bnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 6.87 bn
SpainUS$ 6.2 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 6.18 bn

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 processed food

Processed food is one of India’s fastest-growing agri exports, covering snacks, ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meals, pickles, sauces, bakery, confectionery, fruit and vegetable products and beverages. APEDA notes the sector makes up about a third of India’s food market. Thailand, China, Vietnam, Turkey and EU makers compete in the same aisles. The diaspora buys Indian brands, and mainstream shoppers increasingly buy Indian flavours and plant-based foods. The openings are private-label manufacturing, frozen Indian foods and clean-label snacks — but only for plants that meet importer food-safety audits.

  1. 01Pick products and markets

    Start with products already made to export standard and markets whose label and additive rules you can meet.

  2. 02Check ingredients against destination rules

    Review every additive, colour and claim; reformulate if needed.

  3. 03Register with the buyer’s authority

    For example FDA registration for the USA, or product registration in some Gulf countries.

  4. 04Pass the buyer audit

    Most importers ask for BRCGS, FSSC 22000 or their own audit before the first order.

  5. 05Make labels and test

    Print destination-compliant labels and test microbiology, shelf life and nutrition values.

  6. 06Ship

    Stuff, file the shipping bill and send the health certificate if the buyer’s country asks for one.

  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 processed food

Can I use my Indian label abroad?
Rarely. Each market has its own label rules — make a separate export label and keep the lot number on every pack.
Why was my product refused in the USA?
Common reasons are missing FDA registration or process filing, undeclared allergens, non-permitted colours and wrong labels.
Do I need BRCGS?
It is not a law, but UK and many EU retailers require it for private label. Ethnic distributors may accept FSSAI plus HACCP.
How long should shelf life be?
Long enough that two-thirds remains when the goods arrive — sea transit and clearance can take six to eight weeks.
Which products are easiest to start with?
Shelf-stable, low-risk items such as spices mixes, snacks, papad, pickles and sweets for diaspora grocers.
Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Processed Foods (sector share and exports, 2025-26)
  2. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 108, emergency permit control (acidified and low-acid canned foods)
  3. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 101, food labelling
  4. EU — Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers
  5. FSSAI — Notified food testing laboratories
  6. NABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (laboratory search)

Who buys Indian processed food

All countries →

More in processed food

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