The Green Powerhouse: Agriculture and Food’s Role in Global Trade
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, planting and harvesting crops, and raising livestock to produce food products. It is the foundation of the global food system - the primary source of all the food we consume. Combined with forestry and aquaculture, the agriculture industry produces around 11 billion tons of food and 32 MT of natural fibers. Agriculture and the food industry are central to food supply, increasing employment, and strengthening the global trade sector. This sector is considered 2-3 times more effective at reducing poverty by creating millions of jobs across the supply chain. Did you know that around half of the world's population works in agriculture or is somehow related to this industry? Additionally, the economic growth of various countries also depends heavily on agriculture and the food industry.
The earliest evidence of agriculture was found in modern-day Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The Natufian culture inhabited this area around 9500 BCE, and they used to cultivate wheat and barley. It is believed that in the northeastern countries, the last ice age witnessed some major climatic changes which brought favourable conditions for annual plants like wild cereals. Furthermore, the origin of rice and millet farming dates back to the Neolithic period in China. After the discovery of the most common agricultural foods was done, it was then divided into two types of crops - field crops (pulses, oil seeds, cereals, etc) and horticultural crops (apples, strawberries, etc). Some of the most consumed agricultural products are wheat, cereal, oilseeds, dairy products, and others. Their numerous food products are what keep them at the human dietary pyramid to provide them with essential nutrients and vitamins.
A few fun facts about agriculture and food:
- Around 43% of farmers in the world are women.
- Fungus acts as a web to share food and water to different parts of trees and hence, play a crucial role in the development of trees.
- Soybean oil made from one bushel of soybeans can make around 2,112 crayons.
- Around one-third of all the food produced is never consumed.
- Three-quarters of the world's land is solely dedicated to agricultural purposes.
Connecting Climate Challenges to the Global Agricultural Trade
Agricultural food is a basic human need, whether you’re a dedicated vegetarian or have a more diverse diet. But at the same time, not every country can be rich in all types of agricultural products. This is due to the uneven distribution of land and the varied climatic conditions of different countries. All of which is responsible for the agriculture and food trade among various countries. India especially has a strong presence in the global agricultural trade. It stands at the 8th rank among the world's largest agriculture exporting countries, with its major markets in Bangladesh, the USA, China, Vietnam, the UAE, Indonesia, and others. Indian spices are in high demand in most of these countries.
Even amidst the obstacles of trade barriers and increased competitiveness, the world is actively growing the trade of agriculture and food. Let's explore the areas that contribute to the increased trade of agriculture:
- Modern agri-food systems: With blockchain included in more than 80% of the global agriculture trade, it has become much easier to keep track of all the important transactions. The farmers can now even know the harvest timing, storage conditions, and shipment routes with the help of IoT and Sensor Integrations.
- Climate shift: In the agriculture field, weather is the most important factor. Some countries that do not have favorable climatic conditions to indulge in agri production rely on imports to meet their consumer needs.
- Consumer's sustainable preferences: There is a rise in demand for those agricultural products that are sustainable, organic, and can be traced easily. The demand for avocados, quinoa, and others is especially being consumed more in this generation.
- Agricultural modernization: Using GPS, sensors, drones, and other technologies for soil sampling or crop monitoring has moved things around in the agriculture industry for good. As the production process is becoming simpler, the green agri traders are becoming able to trade more.
- Government policies: As already discussed, the agriculture sector significantly impacts the country’s economy, so the government takes a lot of initiatives towards its betterment. For instance, the Indian government launched the SPICED, according to which several spice parks were established in different spice-producing regions of India.
What Agriculture and Food Buyers Demand from Suppliers:
In terms of agriculture and food quality, there are a few benchmarks set. As an exporter of agricultural and food products, you will need to meet those standards. Here are those standards:
| Agriculture product | Specifications |
| Cereal | Free from contaminants, minimal processing, moisture content less than 14% |
| Fruits | Firm, absence of physical defects, vibrant color |
| Beverages | High-purity water, natural flavors, free from pathogens |
| Spices | No fillers, uniform color, free from any pathogens |
| Vegetables | Free from rot, pests, should be minimally processed, uniform size and shape |
| Fibers | Maximum purity levels, free from chemicals, uniform length and thickness |
| Floriculture | Unblemished petals, proper stage of bloom, uniform color |
| Sugar | Low ash content, clear color, free of heavy metals |
| Animal products | Proof of cold chain, absence of pathogens, certified HACCP processes |
| Meat | Tender, pathogen-free, vacuum-sealed and tamper-proof |
| Nuts | Uniform size, dry, packed in oxygen or moisture-barrier materials |
Agriculture and Food Types & Other Related Categories in the Global Market
| Agricultural Food Type Name | Examples | Primary Use | Nutritional Profile |
| Cereal Grains | Wheat, Rice, Oats | Staple food, animal feed | Carbohydrates, protein, vitamin B |
| Legumes/Pulses | Beans, Lentils, Peas | Protein source, soil enrichment | Protein, fiber, iron |
| Vegetables | Carrots, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Onions, Peppers | Human consumption | Vitamins (A, C, K), fiber, antioxidants |
| Fruits | Apples, Bananas, Oranges, Grapes, Mangoes | Human consumption, juice | Vitamins (C, A), natural sugars, fiber |
| Root/Tuber Crops | Potatoes, Sweet, Cassava, Yams | Kitchen staple | Starch, vitamin C, potassium, fiber (with skin) |
| Oil Crops | Soybeans, Canola, Palm, Olives | Edible oil, biodiesel | Fats, Vitamin |
| Fiber Crops | Cotton, Flax, Hemp | Textile industry | Not consumed as food |
| Sugar Crops | Sugarcane, Sugar beet | Sweeteners | Carbohydrates |
| Beverage Crops | Coffee, Tea, Cocoa | Beverages | Antioxidants (polyphenols), minimal calories |
| Spices & Herbs | Pepper, Basil, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Mint | Flavoring, medicinal | Antioxidants, essential oils,vitamins |
| Nuts and Seeds | Almonds, Walnuts, Sunflower seeds, Peanuts | Snacks, oil, protein | Fats, protein, fiber, |
| Animal Products | Milk, Eggs, Meat (beef, pork, chicken) | Protein source | Iron, B12, calcium |
When exporters deal with agricultural food items, there are a lot of other products that they can start exporting. This is to make their exporting business reach its full potential. Here are a few food products that most suppliers include:
- Equipments or chemicals used in agriculture: Agricultural Chemicals, Agriculture Nets, Agriculture Threshers, Agriculture Pumps, Agriculture Sheller, Agriculture Sprayers, Agriculture Bags, Agriculture Harvesters, or others
- Most demanded types of food: Canned Food, Health Food, Processed Food, and many more
- Farm Products - Grains, Fruits etc
- Food Products: Fruits, Vegetables, Meat & Poultry, Agriculture Seeds, Nuts, Grains & Cereals, Dairy & Milk Products
- Other agriculture or food related products: Food Equipments, Food - By Products
Key Market Insights on Agriculture and Food Export and Import
When you enter the global trade industry, some key market data plays a significant role. It helps you know the countries that would bring the most profit for your exporting business. Here are a few important data:
Global Market Size
| Metric | Value |
| Market Size (2024) | 6,487.0 million |
| Expected Market Size (2030) | 14,222.2 million |
| CAGR | 14.40% |
Source: Grand View Research
Top Importing Countries for Agriculture and Food (2024):
| Country Name | Total shipments |
| US | 144,482 |
| Mexico | 31,970 |
| Russia | 24,981 |
Source: Volza
How to Find Verified Agriculture and Food Importers & Buyers Near Me & Globally?
Getting into the global trade of agricultural and food products means finding the right buyers for your specific product, whether it’s fresh produce or packaged foods. Here are a few platforms that could help in your search for the right kind of food products for buyers:
- Start with your local market. Sell your agricultural food items to grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants in your locality. This will help you in getting a good start to your business, and sometimes, they could also introduce you to the international markets.
- Sign up on B2B platforms (such as go4WorldBusiness) and make an attractive profile for your agriculture exporting business. Post relevant pictures, mention MOQ, and share recent certificates along with other essential information. The community channel of this B2B agriculture marketplace will also be of great help in connecting you with a reliable buyer.
- Participate in international agricultural trade fairs, such as EIMA International, AGRITECHNICA, World Ag Expo, and others. A lot of agricultural food product buyers from different countries attend these events to find suppliers worldwide.
- There are various social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook, where you can advertise your agricultural products by uploading photos and videos. Make sure that you’re being active on these sites and following all the relevant people from the trading industry. This way, you might find agricultural and food products buyers through a simple follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
1. Where can I sell agricultural and food products?
You can sell your agricultural products locally (in your local grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels) or sell them globally to different countries.
2. What are the food safety requirements for exporting agricultural products?
The food safety requirement for exporting agricultural products requires you to get all the necessary certificates and licenses, such as FSSAI, phytosanitary certificate, and others.
3. What is the largest agricultural export of India?
Rice (Basmati and Non-basmati) is the largest agricultural export of India.
4. Which country is the biggest agricultural importer?
The US is the biggest importer of agricultural products.
5. What is the role of APEDA in agricultural exports?
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is a primary statutory body for export promotion, quality improvement, and global market development.
6. What is the role of trade agreements in agricultural exports?
Trade agreements reduce agricultural trade barriers among various countries. They create more efficient agricultural trade systems and hence, increase the export opportunities.
7. How to find agriculture and food buyers?
To find agriculture and food buyers, you can use:
- B2B platforms (such as go4WorldBusiness)
- Trade fairs (AGRITECHNICA, EIMA International, Growtech Eurasia, etc.)
- Social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook)
8. What is the agriculture and food HSN code?
Agricultural products HSN code is 1001, while the food products HSN code is 2106.
Latest News Related to Agriculture and Food Global Trade:
Vietnam's agro-forestry-fishery exports from January to April 2025 reached $21.15 billion. It will maintain this 10.7% year-on-year rise for other agricultural products as well, such as rice, coffee, and pepper. (Full story: Vietnam Briefing)
