Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

If you export or import agri commodities to or from India, you must have heard of APEDA several times. You would see their acronym on shipping documents, packaging labels and government announcements. But what does this organization do and why should you, as someone involved in the trade of agricultural and processed food products care?

Well, read on. In this article, we will discuss what APEDA is, how it functions, its significance to exporters and importers and where does your trade partner come in the scheme of things.

What Is APEDA?

APEDA is short for Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. APEDA is an export promotion-government agency established by the Government of India under the APEDA Act passed by Parliament in December 1985. Effective 13 February 1986, it replaced the pre-existing body called Processed Food Export Promotion Council.

It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The body is based in New Delhi. APEDA aims to promote and develop the export of agricultural products exported from India and processed food by supporting exporters, improving quality standards, and expanding global market access. It also regulates imports of sugar into India.

Why APEDA Was Set Up

Prior to 1986, India lacked an apex level institutional mechanism to monitor the export of agriculture and allied products with dedicated interest. Indian government realized the lacuna. The farmers produce quality agricultural products; the food processors produce quality products too, but India was unable to earn its rightful place in the global market.

APEDA filled that void. Positioned between the farmers, processing agencies and the overseas buyers, APEDA’s mandate spans right from standard setting to financial assistance for machinery and training.

What Products Fall Under APEDA?

APEDA covers what are called “scheduled products.” As of the current APEDA Annual Report, the authority handles seventeen scheduled product groups spread across 802 HS codes at the 8-digit level. These groups include:

• Fruits, vegetables, and their products
• Meat and meat products
• Poultry and poultry products
• Dairy goods
• Confectionery, biscuits, and bakery items
• Honey, jaggery, and sugar products
• Cocoa and chocolate of all kinds
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Cereal and cereal products
• Groundnuts, peanuts, and walnuts
• Pickles, papads, and chutneys
• Floriculture goods
• Herbal and medicinal plants

One point worth a mention: seafood and marine goods fall under a different body called MPEDA, not APEDA. This mix-up trips up a lot of first-time exporters.

The RCMC: Your Entry Ticket to Export

Anyone who wants to export these scheduled farm and food goods from India needs a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate, known as the RCMC. Without it, customs will not clear your shipment, and you cannot claim any export scheme benefits.

Getting an RCMC is not hard once you know the steps:

1. Get an Import Export Code (IEC) from the DGFT.
2. Log in to the DGFT portal and pick APEDA under the RCMC section.
3. Fill in the form with your business and product details.
4. Upload the needed papers, such as your PAN, GST certificate, and company registration proof.
5. Pay the registration fee.
6. Wait for DGFT to check and approve your application.

Since July 2023, APEDA has run this whole registration process through the DGFT portal instead of a separate system. This one-window setup has made the process faster than it used to be.

What APEDA Does for Exporters and Buyers

APEDA’s work runs across a few areas, and it helps both sides of a trade deal, not just the seller.

For exporters, it gives:

• Money support for infrastructure such as cold storage, packhouses, and lab testing
• Market study and buyer-seller meets in target countries
• Training for farmers and food processors on export-grade standards
• Help with product labels and packaging rules for different markets

For buyers abroad, it means:

• A layer of checks on quality before goods leave India
• Traceability through programs like TraceNet for organic goods
• A single point of contact for questions about Indian farm exports

APEDA also runs the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) as the secretariat to the National Accreditation Board, so it plays a hand in certifying organic food exporters too.

India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Numbers

The scale of this trade is worth a look. In FY 2024-25, exports of APEDA’s scheduled products reached USD 28.59 billion, which made up 55% of India’s total agri exports for that year. India’s overall agricultural exports came close to USD 51 billion in the same year.

Processed food is a growing piece of this pie. Processed fruits, juices, and nuts alone brought in more than USD 721 million during the same year.

Indian farm and food goods now reach well over 150 countries. Buyers in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and East Africa remain steady markets for staples like rice, spices, and pulses, and interest from the UK and US is picking up too.

Why Buyers Should Care About APEDA Compliance

If you are a wholesale buyer or distributor sourcing from India, APEDA certified exporters India on your supplier’s side tells you a few things. It means the supplier has an active IEC, cleared background checks, and is listed under the right product category. It does not replace your own quality checks, but it does cut down the risk of dealing with a fly-by-night trader.

Papers to ask for when you order farm and processed food goods from an Indian supplier:

• Valid RCMC or e-RCMC
• Phytosanitary certificate (for plant-based goods)
• FSSAI license (for food products)
• Certificate of origin
• Lab test reports where needed

Working With a Trade Partner for Farm and Food Exports

Shipping anything from an Indian farm or factory to a port like Dubai, Jeddah or Singapore isn’t just about finding a quality supplier. It’s about having a partner who vets every document, books your container correctly and answers your questions even before you know you have them.

Enter a trade partner like Srindhya Global. Srindhya Global, located in Bangalore, India, sources and exports Indian agricultural goods and food products such as rice, spices, edible oils, pulses and processed foods directly to wholesalers and distributors who serve the GCC, Southeast Asia and Africa. Their team vets suppliers, manages shipping documents and freight on the manufacturer’s end so you only deal with products of consistent quality.

If you’re a buyer looking for a larger basket, Srindhya Global also offers pharmaceuticals, chemicals, marble & granite, and wooden products. Everything is sourced from vetted Indian manufacturers who hold the full range of compliance documents.

Wrapping Up

APEDA was established in 1986 as a small organization, but has since become integral to Indian agri-export, supporting exports worth billions of dollars annually. To exporters, RCMC registration means access to financial assistance, education and markets. To importers, it’s a sign you can trust your supplier is compliant.

Whether you are a new exporter or an importer looking to secure a reliable supplier of agricultural and food products from India, understanding APEDA and how they operate can help you make informed decisions. And if you’d rather have a trusted partner deal with the intricacies on your behalf, partnering with a knowledgeable trade expert like Srindhya Global can simplify the process.