Indian agricultural commodities and processed foods are exported to more than 200 countries. Floriculture, seafood, basmati & non-basmati rice, bovine meat, spices and cotton account for major share in Indian exports. During the pandemic most of the merchandise exports declined but agri-exports flourished. However, India lags in the global export scenario. India is the second largest producer of wheat, but ranks 34th in exports. Despite holding 3rd rank in vegetable production, India’s export rank is 14th. India is the 2nd largest producer of fruits, but ranks 23rd in exports.
A major concern are the supply chain bottlenecks. Connectivity from landlocked production areas to the ports is a challenge which as well increases the logistics cost. Waiting time for reefer containers outside the port adds to the cost. Lack of use of technology in loading, unloading and packaging adds to the inefficiencies. There is a felt need for demarcating commodity specific clusters and basis this conducting need gap analysis for infrastructure (roads, pack houses, storage structures, processing units, testing labs etc.)
Maritime Gateway is organising a series of webinars that will focus on different commodities. The first webinar in this series will address the gaps in achieving the government’s vision to make India a global power in agriculture exports.
The webinar is scheduled on Friday, January 22nd, 2021
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THE WEBINAR
Points of discussion:
- It is estimated that a 10% decrease in indirect logistics cost can increase 5-8% of exports.
- Be it storage infra, transportation bottlenecks or turnaround time at the port, poor logistics add 6 to 8% to our FOB cost.
- India lacks organised multipurpose facilities where frozen, chilled and temperature controlled products can be kept. Only 4-5% of the overall Indian capacity are modern and multipurpose.
- Thailand, Vietnam and Bangladesh have FTAs with key export markets which puts India at a disadvantage
- We need to diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports Enabling farmers to benefit from export opportunities in overseas markets.
Panellists:
Mr Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Deputy Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust
Mr Ajay Sharma, Managing Director, Lama Rice Pvt. Ltd
Mr Tarlochan Singh Ahluwalia, President, Northern India Shipper Association – MODERATOR
Mr Avinash Chand Rai, Chief Operating Officer. Adani Mundra Port Pvt Ltd
Mr B N Jha, Deputy Director(Mktg.), Spices Board of India
Mr Ravi Jakhar, Chief Strategy Officer, Allcargo Logistics Limited
Mr Avdhut Gawde, Head – Reefer Solutions & Cold Chain Solutions, South Asia, Maersk Line
Mr K Srinivasan, Senior General Manager (Commercial-Area-II(WEST)), Container Corporation of India Ltd
