Rs
200 crs Makhana Products Exporter Last Year
·
India
is the world’s largest producer of makhana (fox nut), mainly cultivated in Bihar, West
Bengal and Assam.
·
Bihar
dominates production,
contributing nearly three-fourths of India’s output and around 80–85%
of global supply.
·
Production
increased sharply
from 63,910 MT in 2024-25 to an estimated 80,590 MT in 2025-26.
·
The
National Makhana Board was announced in Union Budget 2025-26 and
formally launched in Bihar on 15 September 2025.
·
A
₹476.03 crore Central Sector Scheme has been approved for 2025-26
to 2030-31 to support research, quality seeds, farmer skills, processing,
branding, marketing and exports.
·
India
exported 7,264.89 MT of makhana products in 2025-26, valued at ₹192.96 crore.
·
The
domestic makhana market grew 17–18% annually during 2021-22 to 2024-25
and is projected to reach ₹11,000–12,000 crore by 2029-30.
·
Average
makhana prices rose from about ₹500/kg during 2020–22 to nearly
₹1,250/kg in 2025, reflecting strong demand and premiumisation.
·
DGFT
introduced a separate HSN code in 2025 for popped makhana and other makhana products, enabling
product-specific export data.
·
Mithila
Makhana has a GI tag,
providing legal protection and strengthening its branding and market
differentiation.
·
Export
markets are concentrated: US 40%, Canada 20% and UAE 17%, together
accounting for 77% of exports.
·
Premium
markets offer higher realizations: Germany, Nepal and Australia command higher prices than
major-volume destinations such as the US and UAE.
·
Government
programmes brought an additional 1,010 hectares
under makhana cultivation, while 8,159 farmers benefited in 2025-26
under the development scheme.
·
Makhana
is nutrient-rich, low in fat and cholesterol-free, with dietary fibre, protein and essential minerals.
·
The
value chain includes cultivation → harvesting → cleaning/drying
→ roasting/popping → grading/polishing → packaging →
value-added products.
·
Value-added
products now include flavoured makhana,
ready-to-eat snacks and makhana flour, creating opportunities for
employment and higher farmer returns.
·
The
National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM) is supporting improved
varieties, mechanisation, research, farmer training
and value-added processing technologies.
·
Overall: Makhana is emerging as a major
Indian agri-food export opportunity, with potential to increase farmer
incomes, generate rural employment and strengthen India's global position in
healthy and plant-based foods.