Maharashtra's Agricultural Exports to US Suffer Sharp 26.6% Decline Amid Tariff Hikes
The export of food and agricultural products from Maharashtra to the United States witnessed a substantial contraction of 26.6% during the August to November period of the 2025-26 financial year, with the Nashik region being particularly impacted. This significant downturn has been primarily attributed to the steep increase in import tariffs imposed by the United States government on Indian goods, which created immediate market challenges for exporters.
APEDA Data Reveals Contraction in Both Volume and Value
Official statistics released by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which operates under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, clearly demonstrate a contraction in both the volume and value of shipments following the implementation of higher duties. Between August and November 2025, Maharashtra managed to export 41,123.7 tonnes of agricultural and processed food commodities to the United States, with a total value of Rs 762.4 crore.
This represents a notable decline when compared to the same four-month period during the previous financial year (2024-25), when the state shipped 56,062 tonnes worth Rs 1,108 crore to American markets. The timing of this export slump directly corresponds with Washington's decision to implement a 25% duty on Indian goods starting August 1, 2025, which was subsequently increased to 50% from August 27, 2025.
Diverse Export Basket Affected by Tariff Measures
The range of agricultural and food items exported from Maharashtra to the United States encompasses a wide variety of products, including:
- Cocoa products and various miscellaneous preparations
- Dried soups, broths, sauces, ketchup, and soft drink concentrates
- Ice cream and betel nut items along with processed vegetables
- Cereal preparations, fruit juices, and nuts
- Pulses, non-basmati rice, jaggery, and confectionery
- Dairy products and fresh fruits including mangoes, grapes, and pomegranates
Industry Expert Highlights Immediate Adverse Impact
According to Vikas Singh, Vice-President of the Horticultural Produce Exporters' Association (HPEA), the tariff hike produced an immediate and adverse effect on the movement of these agricultural products. He confirmed that exports have remained under consistent pressure since August, with an average decline of approximately 27% during the current financial year.
However, Singh offered a cautiously optimistic outlook, noting that the situation may improve in the coming months following the announcement by US President Donald Trump regarding a reduction in duties on Indian goods to 18%. He characterized this tariff rollback as a positive development for Indian exporters, suggesting that lowered duties would help restore Maharashtra's food and agricultural exports to their previous momentum.
Singh further emphasized that the United States market remains highly competitive, with Vietnam, China, and the Philippines serving as major suppliers of food and agricultural commodities. He indicated that a more favorable tariff regime would enhance the competitiveness of Indian exporters in this challenging international marketplace.
Marginal Improvement in Overall Eight-Month Performance
Despite the steep decline observed during the August to November period, Maharashtra's overall shipments to the United States during the first eight months (April to November) of 2025-26 reflected a marginal improvement in value terms. APEDA data revealed that the state exported 96,408 tonnes worth Rs 2,139.8 crore during this extended period.
This compares with 1.03 lakh tonnes valued at Rs 2,081.8 crore during the corresponding April to November period of 2024-25. While the overall volume demonstrated a decrease, the value indicated relatively stable performance, driven primarily by higher prices in certain commodity segments that partially offset the volume reduction.
Historical Export Performance and Key Commodity Categories
During the complete 2024-25 financial year, Maharashtra shipped 1.6 lakh tonnes of agricultural and processed food products to the United States, with a total value of Rs 3,684 crore. The key export categories included:
- Cocoa products valued at Rs 947 crore
- Miscellaneous preparations worth Rs 745 crore
- Processed vegetables accounting for Rs 493.9 crore
- Cereal preparations contributing Rs 311 crore
- Processed fruit juices and nuts valued at Rs 174.3 crore
- Pulses worth Rs 135 crore
- Non-basmati rice accounting for Rs 126 crore
- Jaggery and confectionery valued at Rs 121 crore
- Dairy products contributing Rs 75.3 crore
- Fresh mangoes worth Rs 64 crore
- Fresh grapes valued at Rs 6.3 crore
- Fresh pomegranates accounting for Rs 24 crore
In the preceding financial year (2023-24), Maharashtra exported 1.3 lakh tonnes of agricultural and processed food products to the United States, with a total value of Rs 2,445 crore, indicating significant growth between the two periods before the recent tariff-related challenges emerged.
