From consumption growth to domestic value creation: India's nuts and dry fruits sector enters a new phase

Indias nuts and dry fruits sector is moving beyond its traditional dependence on festive demand and imports Rising health awareness yearround consumption organised retail food processing and greater interest in premium nutrition are reshaping the category into a broader food and agriculture opportunity Col Nitin Sehgal VSM Veteran CEO Nuts and Dry Fruits Council India sheds light on industry trends from consumption growth to domestic value creation Indias nuts and dry fruits sector enters a new phaseThe domestic retail market is estimated at around 65000 crore supported by a wide network of growers importers exporters traders and retailers As the market expands the focus is increasingly shifting towards building a more organised value chain improving quality standards and strengthening Indias domestic production baseIndias annual demand for six major nuts and dry fruits is approximately around 15 lakh tonnes while domestic production stands at nearly 3 lakh tonnes Local cultivation therefore meets only around 15th of the countrys requirementThis gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity Imports will continue to play an important role in meeting consumer demand but expanding domestic cultivation can improve supply security reduce import dependence and create new income opportunities for farmers and support value addition across rural and urban marketsThe government has recently told the Parliament that Indias trade gap is in many ways a byproduct of its current stage of development shaped by rising consumer demands and aspirations Viewed in this light the push for greater domestic production of nuts and dry fruits fits within a wider national effort to build selfreliant supply chains across sectors rather than standing apart as an isolated industry concernAs Indias nuts and dry fruits market expands the opportunity lies in building a stronger domestic ecosystem that complements global trade With the right support for cultivation quality planting material farmer knowledge processing and market linkages India can create greater value across the chain while improving resilience and rural incomesIndias diverse agroclimatic conditions offer considerable potential for highvalue cultivation across hill states coastal regions and other suitable belts However scaling production will require more than simply increasing acreage Farmers need access to quality planting material regionspecific crop guidance technical knowledge postharvest infrastructure and dependable market linkages The benefits of higher domestic production could extend across the entire value chain Increased output can support grading processing packaging warehousing coldchain facilities and logistics while creating opportunities for small businesses and local employmentRealising these potential calls for coordinated intervention from government bodies such as the NITI Aayog Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry of Finance Ministry of Commerce and industry along with State Level Ministries and Government Departments supported by Industry bodies like Nuts and Dry Fruits Council IndiaA stronger farmtomarket system can also improve price visibility for growers and provide processors with more consistent supplies Better coordination between producers and buyers would help reduce wastage improve quality and encourage investment in valueadded productsQuality and consumer confidence will remain central to the sectors next phase As nuts and dry fruits become part of regular household consumption greater attention will be required on product standards traceability storage conditions labelling and food safetyThe gradual formalisation of trade can support this transition by improving transparency and creating a more level playing field for businesses Industry bodies government agencies and other stakeholders will need to work together on common standards knowledge sharing consumer awareness and policy supportMeanwhile domestic cultivation should be viewed as complementary rather than competing priorities as local production can create a more resilient foundation for longterm growthThis spirit of coordination echoes the governments own recent push at the highest level Prime Minister Narendra Modis second highlevel meeting with Secretaries reviewed the action agenda for Finance and Economy Commerce and Industry and Technology calling for stronger team building across ministries and departments and breaking silos that slow integrated outcomes For a sector like nuts and dry fruits where growth depends on aligning agriculture processing trade and policy this emphasis on coordinated governance offers a timely reference pointThe next phase of the industry will depend on how effectively it connects agriculture with processing retail and exports It will also require closer coordination among farmers businesses policymakers research institutions and trade organisationsIndia has already emerged as a major consumption market for nuts and dry fruits The larger opportunity now lies in building a stronger domestic ecosystem that will support farmers improve processing capabilities create jobs and position the country as a competitive producer and exporterWith sustained investment in cultivation quality infrastructure and market access the sector can evolve from an importled category into a wider source of agricultural and economic valueFor more information please visit httpsndfciorg

From consumption growth to domestic value creation: India's nuts and dry fruits sector enters a new phase

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From consumption growth to domestic value creation: India's nuts and dry fruits sector enters a new phase

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