India's Alcoholic Beverages Exports Expected to Reach USD 1 Billion by 2030, Says APEDA Chairman

India's alcoholic beverage sector holds significant promise in global markets, offering a variety of products like gin, beer, wine, and rum. A senior government official expressed optimism that exports could rise to USD 1 billion by 2030 from the current USD 370.5 million. The official highlighted the untapped potential in exports and the quality of Indian products.

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APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev emphasised the need for the industry to explore new markets rather than rely solely on domestic demand. "If we want to increase the profile of our products, bring in better quality, we have to venture out," he stated at Alcobev India, an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverages Companies (CIABC).

Focus on Export Markets

Dev encouraged the industry to not be complacent with the large domestic market but instead seek opportunities abroad. He also mentioned that India is nearing a mutual recognition agreement with Australia for organic products, which includes organic wine. This agreement could further boost India's presence in international markets.

At the same event, Food Processing Secretary Subrata Gupta urged the industry to focus on value-added products and reduce wastage of fruits and vegetables. He pointed out that while India is a major producer of agricultural items, its processing capabilities lag behind other countries.

Enhancing Agricultural Processing

Gupta noted that countries like Thailand process around 40% of their fruits and vegetables, whereas India processes only 3-4%. Similarly, Brazil processes a significant portion of its meat compared to India's 34%. He stressed that improving processing could benefit farmers and producers by adding value and reducing waste.

The secretary also highlighted the potential for increasing exports of alcoholic beverages. "I think there is a lot of potential of this industry because this exports will bring valuable foreign exchange," Gupta said. This focus on exports could significantly contribute to India's economy.

The discussions at Alcobev India underscored the importance of expanding into international markets and enhancing product quality. By doing so, India's alcoholic beverage industry can tap into its vast potential and achieve substantial growth in exports.