Agri Export Promotion Council of India: Best APEDA Guide

Agri Export Promotion Council of India: The Best APEDA Guide for 2026

If you’re searching for the agri export promotion council of India, the organisation you’re looking for is APEDA, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

APEDA is a statutory body that promotes and develops India’s agricultural and processed food exports. It replaced the former Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC) in 1986.

This guide explains what APEDA does, its full form and history, the products it covers, its role in Indian agricultural exports, and how exporters can register.

Why does this matter to buyers and exporters? APEDA plays an important role in India’s agricultural export system. At Vipasvi Overseas Hubb products, our exports are supported by APEDA registration and compliance, giving international buyers greater confidence when sourcing agricultural products from India.

1. What Is the Agri Export Promotion Council of India (APEDA)?

The agri export promotion council of India, commonly searched for as APEDA, is a statutory body established by the Government of India. Its role is to promote, develop and support the export of scheduled agricultural and processed food products. APEDA also monitors the import of sugar.

APEDA acts as an important agency for India’s agricultural exports. Its responsibilities include registering exporters, supporting quality standards, carrying out inspections, promoting market development and supporting India’s organic certification system.

India’s agricultural exports surpassed US$50 billion in 2024–25, with APEDA playing an important role in supporting the country’s agricultural export sector.

2. APEDA Full Form & Meaning

APEDA full form: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

When people search for the agri export promotion council of India, APEDA is generally the organisation they are looking for.

APEDA is a statutory export promotion authority operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

3. History: From PFEPC to APEDA

APEDA was established under the APEDA Act, 1985 (Act 2 of 1986). The Act was passed by Parliament in December 1985 and came into effect on 13 February 1986.

APEDA replaced the former Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC). This changed the system from a voluntary promotional council to a statutory authority responsible for supporting and developing agricultural and processed food exports.

This is why searches for the agri export promotion council of India often lead to APEDA. It is the modern statutory authority that succeeded the earlier council. In 2026, APEDA marks 40 years since it came into effect.

4. Which Ministry Controls APEDA?

APEDA functions under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The authority is headed by a chairman appointed by the central government. Its structure also includes representatives from central ministries, Parliament, state governments, research institutions, export promotion councils and industry.

5. Functions of the Agri Export Promotion Council of India

The APEDA Act gives APEDA a broad range of responsibilities related to agricultural exports.

Export promotion and market development: Supports exporters through financial assistance, market development, market intelligence and international promotion.
Registration of exporters: Registers exporters dealing in scheduled products through the RCMC system.
Standards and specifications: Supports the development and implementation of quality standards for export products.
Quality control and inspection: Carries out inspection and quality-related activities for relevant agricultural and processed food products.
Packaging and value addition: Encourages better packaging, labelling, processing and value addition.
Data and training: Collects and publishes trade information and provides training to exporters and other industry stakeholders.
Organic certification: Supports India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and its certification framework.

6. Scheduled Products Covered by APEDA

APEDA covers a wide range of agricultural and processed food products. These include:

Fruits, vegetables and their products
Meat, poultry and dairy products
Confectionery, biscuits and bakery products
Honey, jaggery and sugar products
Cereals and cereal products
Groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts
Pickles, chutneys and papads
Guar gum
Floriculture products
Herbal and medicinal plants
Cocoa products
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Cashew nuts and cashew products
Various millets

Important: Basmati and non-basmati rice fall under APEDA.

However, not every agricultural product is handled by APEDA. Tea, coffee and spices are handled by their respective boards, including the Tea Board, Coffee Board and Spices Board. Marine products are handled by MPEDA.

Exporters should therefore check which authority or export promotion body applies to their specific product before registering.

7. APEDA Registration & RCMC: Step by Step

APEDA registration provides exporters with an RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate) for scheduled products.

The registration process is completed online:

Get an IEC: First, obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT.
Apply online: Visit the APEDA portal and complete the registration application using your business and bank details.
Upload the required documents: These may include your IEC, PAN, bank certificate or cancelled cheque, and company details.
Pay the registration fee: Complete the required payment online.
Receive the RCMC: Once the application is approved, the RCMC is issued.

Because registration requirements and procedures can change, exporters should always check the latest instructions on the official APEDA portal before applying.

8. APEDA Registration Fee

An APEDA RCMC registration fee applies when exporters register.

The standard registration fee is commonly cited as around Rs. 5,000 plus applicable GST. However, exporters should not rely solely on figures quoted in third-party articles because fees and tax requirements may change.

Always confirm the latest APEDA registration fee directly through the official APEDA portal before making an application.

9. Leadership, Headquarters & Regional Offices

APEDA is headquartered in New Delhi and is led by a chairman appointed by the central government.

As of 2026, APEDA has a head office and regional offices across several important agricultural and export regions in India, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi and Chandigarh.

For the latest information about the APEDA chairman, regional offices, contact information and leadership team, exporters should check the official APEDA website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the agri export promotion council of India?
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The term agri export promotion council of India generally refers to APEDA, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is a statutory body that supports the development and promotion of scheduled agricultural and processed food exports from India.

What is the full form of APEDA?
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The full form of APEDA is Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is the statutory authority that people are generally looking for when searching for the agri export promotion council of India.

When was APEDA established?
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APEDA was established under the APEDA Act, 1985 (Act 2 of 1986). The Act was passed by Parliament in December 1985 and came into effect on 13 February 1986. APEDA replaced the former Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).

APEDA is under which ministry?
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APEDA functions under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government.

What products does APEDA cover?
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APEDA covers many scheduled agricultural and processed food products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy products, cereals, groundnuts, pickles, guar gum, floriculture products, cocoa, cashews, millets, and basmati and non-basmati rice. Tea, coffee, spices and marine products are handled by separate organisations.

How do I complete APEDA registration?
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First obtain an IEC from DGFT. You can then apply through the APEDA portal, provide the required business and bank information, upload the necessary documents and pay the registration fee. Once the application is approved, the exporter receives the relevant RCMC.

What is the APEDA registration fee?
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The APEDA registration fee is commonly cited as around Rs. 5,000 plus applicable GST. However, fees can change, so exporters should confirm the current amount on the official APEDA portal before applying.

Is APEDA registration mandatory for agricultural exports?
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APEDA registration applies to exporters dealing with products covered under APEDA’s scheduled product categories. Exporters should check whether their specific product falls under APEDA and confirm the latest registration requirements before exporting.

Rahul Dhotre Supply Chain and Procurement Head

Mr. Rahul Dhotre

Position: Supply Chain & Procurement Head, Vipasvi Overseas Hubb

Mr. Rahul Dhotre serves as the Supply Chain & Procurement Head at Vipasvi Overseas Hubb, overseeing sourcing, logistics, and end-to-end supply chain operations. With a sharp focus on efficiency, quality control, and strong farmer and vendor partnerships, he ensures the seamless movement of premium Indian agricultural products from field to international markets with reliability and transparency.