India’s millet exports crossed the ₹2,000 crore mark in FY 2025–26, registering 34% year-on-year growth and confirming the structural shift in global demand that began with the 2023 UN International Year of Millets.
EU is now the largest buyer
The European Union accounted for 41% of India’s millet shipments by value last year, overtaking the GCC region for the first time. Finger millet (ragi) and foxtail millet are seeing the sharpest growth, driven by listings in Germany’s Alnatura, France’s Biocoop and the UK’s Holland & Barrett organic chains.
North America catching up
The United States and Canada together absorbed 18% of volumes, with sorghum and pearl millet leading. The food-service segment — particularly gluten-free bakery and breakfast-cereal manufacturers — is the primary pull.
Pricing and supply
FOB Mundra rates for organic finger millet have firmed from $620/MT to $710/MT over the past six months. Foxtail millet, which trades at a premium, has moved from $880/MT to $960/MT. Indian exporters with EU-organic and USDA-NOP dual certification continue to command a 12–15% price premium over conventional supply.
- Q1 2026 basmati exports up 18% YoY at ₹6,800 crore.
- GCC + UK together = 62% of value share.
- FOB Mundra prices up $40–55/MT YoY across all grades.
- Forward-booking volumes for Q3 2026 are 35% ahead of last year.
| Grade | FOB Mundra ($/MT) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1121 Basmati (Steam) | $1,180 | +5.2% |
| 1121 Basmati (Raw) | $1,080 | +4.8% |
| 1509 Basmati (Steam) | $960 | +3.1% |
Forward-booking volumes for Q3 2026 are running 35% ahead of last year — suggesting sustained import demand through the new-crop harvest window.
| 1121 Steam | $1,180 | up |
| 1121 Raw | $1,080 | up |
| Cumin (ASTA) | $3,200 | down |
| Yellow Maize | $248 | up |
| Apr 30 | APEDA Annual Renewal |
| May 15 | EU MRL Update — Spices & Millets |
| Jun 01 | New Crop Basmati — Pricing Season |
| Jun 10 | GCC Customs Update — Dubai Portal |
| Trade & Export | India-UAE CEPA: Agro Exporters Gain Zero-Duty Access on 97% of Tariff Lines | # |
| Market Updates | Cumin Seeds: Global Shortage Pushes FOB Prices to a 3-Year High | # |
| Regulatory | EU MRL Updates 2026: New Pesticide Residue Limits | # |