Enhancing India's Agri-Exports to Middle-East: Opportunities and Strategies

India's agricultural trade with the Middle East is a crucial component of its export portfolio, influenced by evolving trade agreements and strong bilateral cooperation. The Middle-East nations—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran—rely heavily on food imports, making them key markets for Indian agricultural products. India exports a diverse range of commodities, including Basmati rice, sugar, spices, marine products, fresh fruits, and processed foods. The UAE, a major importer, received agricultural exports worth USD 2.63 billion in 2021-22, marking a significant increase. Trade agreements, particularly the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022, have strengthened India-Middle East trade, reduced tariffs and easing market access. CEPA aims to boost trade in goods and services, supporting agriculture as a priority sector. Initiatives like the India-Middle East Food Corridor further enhance supply chains and food security. Challenges persist, including non-tariff barriers such as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and technical trade barriers (TBT). This report provides a comprehensive examination of the factors shaping agricultural trade between India and the Middle East, identifying strategies to enhance export competitiveness and promote mutually beneficial trade partnerships. The report suggests that addressing these concerns through improved product standards, enhanced logistics, and agritech collaboration can help Indian exporters. With robust diplomatic ties and growing investments, India can seek to optimise its agricultural trade with the Middle East, leveraging economic corridors and strategic trade policies for mutual growth.