India’s diverse climate supports the cultivation of a wide range of fruits and vegetables, making it one of the largest producers in the world. India is the second-largest producer of horticultural produce, producing about 12% of the global fruit and vegetable production. As per official data, between 2011-12 and 2023-24 (third advance estimates), fruit production increased by 48%, and vegetable production grew by 32% nationally. However, the trend varies in the States.
India’s diverse climate supports the cultivation of a wide range of fruits and vegetables, making it one of the largest producers in the world. India is the second-largest producer of horticultural produce, producing about 12% of the global fruit and vegetable production with only about 17% of arable land being utilized for the cultivation of horticultural crops. These horticultural crops contribute 30% to the Gross Net Value (GNV) of agriculture.
The country ranks among the top in the production of bananas, mangoes, papayas, onions, and okra. Its extensive production meets domestic consumption needs and contributes significantly to exports of both fresh and processed produce. Major fruits such as grapes, pomegranates, mangoes, and bananas, along with vegetables like onions, potatoes, and green chillies, form a large part of India’s export basket. These products are exported to various countries in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. India’s production capacity and diverse agricultural output ensure its steady presence in international markets.
This story provides an overview of India’s fruit and vegetable production, focusing on key crops, and their cultivation trends. The data for the story has been sourced from Dataful. Dataful’s collection on Horticulture includes detailed datasets covering the state-wise area, production, and productivity of horticultural crops, categorized by crop groups. It also provides data on the area and production of individual horticultural crops, covering the major types of horticultural crops including fruits, vegetables, plantations, flowers, aromatics and medicinal plants, and spices.
India’s fruit and vegetable production increased by 48% and 32% since 2011-12
Vegetables and fruits account for approximately 58% and 30%, respectively, of the total horticulture production each year, while plantation crops contribute around 5%. Between 2011-12 and 2023-24 (third advance estimates), fruit production increased by 48%, and vegetable production grew by 32%. During the same period, the production of spices more than doubled. In contrast, the production of plantations showed fluctuations, and the output of aromatic and medicinal plants declined by over 300,000 tonnes, despite an increase in the area under cultivation.
Though production of TOP Vegetables at the national level has improved, the trend across some major producing states is different
Tomatoes, Onions, and Potatoes, often referred to as the ‘TOP’ vegetables, are among the most extensively cultivated, produced, and consumed crops in India. They form the cornerstone of the country’s vegetable production, contributing significantly to both domestic consumption and export markets. Over the years, their production has witnessed growth at the national level, establishing India as the second-largest producer of all three vegetables globally, following China. However, across states, the trend varies.
5 states account for more than half the tomato produced in the country
At an All-India level, the production of tomatoes was 12,433 thousand tonnes in 2009-10 which increased to 18,653 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. However, since then, tomato production in India has been stagnant or falling in recent years. This can be attributed to the reduced sowing areas, and unseasonal rainfall, among other reasons. In Andhra Pradesh, the second-highest tomato-producing state in India, the area under tomato cultivation has come down from over 167 thousand hectares in 2014-15 to 54.2 thousand hectares in 2023-24. The area under cultivation has also dropped in Telangana, Jharkhand, and Haryana compared to 2014-15.
Madhya Pradesh is the top producer of tomatoes, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Odisha. These five states alone account for more than half of the total tomatoes produced in the country each year.
Production of Onion has gone up 1.5 times in 12 years
Onion production increased by almost 1.5 times between 2009-10 and 2022-23 and is estimated at 24,229 thousand tonnes in 2023-24, lower than 2022-23. As in the case of Tomato, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka are among the top producers of Onion and the four states together account for about two-thirds of the Onion production in the country. Maharashtra alone accounts for more than one-third of the production.
In Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar (major agricultural regions towards central, north and eastern India), the production has continuously increased over the years as against the trend in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka where the trend has been highly fluctuating during this period. In both these states, the area under onion cultivation has reduced in the last ten years.
Potato production is dominant in Northern and Eastern states
The production of Potato is dominated by the northern and eastern states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Gujarat is also among the top-10 potato-producing states in the country. The overall production of this vegetable has gone up over the years with more than 600 lakh tonnes produced in 2022-23. As observed with other vegetables earlier, the production has increased in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. However, in Haryana, similar to Tomato production, potato production has also not increased continuously in the state because of the decline in area under potato cultivation.
Southern and Northeastern states dominate tapioca production
While Potato production is dominant in the northern and eastern states, the production of Tapioca is exclusive in southern states and in the northeastern states. This is because the crop grows well in tropical, warm humid climates with well-distributed rainfall which makes these states ideal for its cultivation. Around 94% of the Tapioca is produced in two states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While the production of the tuber vegetable has reduced in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, it has increased in the northeastern states.
Crop production and local cuisines are closely aligned
The production of fruits and vegetables across Indian states closely aligns with local cuisines, showcasing the interplay between agricultural practices and food culture, influenced by various factors. For instance, tomatoes are less prominent in traditional Kerala cuisine, where coconut and tamarind dominate dishes. This is reflected in the lower tomato cultivation in Kerala, compared to states like Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, which lead in tomato production. Tapioca, a staple in Kerala and Tamil Nadu thrives in their tropical climate and is predominantly grown in these states. Potatoes, integral to Bengali cuisine and the diets of northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, are primarily cultivated in these regions, underlining their culinary significance.
Despite India’s high horticultural output, the sector faces challenges. Unlike cereals and dairy, vegetables lack a robust value chain due to their perishable nature, seasonal and regional concentration, and limited storage and processing facilities. Nearly one-third of fruits and vegetables are wasted post-harvest, mainly due to inadequate storage, transportation, and processing infrastructure. Furthermore, while India produces large quantities of fruits and vegetables, high domestic consumption driven by its large population limits its export potential. Addressing these issues is important for the sector to flourish.
