A new trade initiative aims to bring together Indian agricultural exporters, growers, FPOs, Russian importers and international trade-service partners to develop business connections and explore opportunities across the India–Russia agricultural trade corridor.
India’s agricultural sector has an established presence in international markets. Fresh grapes, pomegranates, mangoes, onions, processed foods and several other agricultural products connect Indian producers and exporters with buyers across the world.
Russia represents an important market within this international trade landscape. With existing agricultural trade between the two countries and renewed discussions around expanding bilateral cooperation, there is scope to explore stronger commercial connections between Indian agricultural businesses and Russian market participants.
Recognising this potential, THE EXIM TIMES is launching the India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative, a focused programme under its International Trade Desk.
The initiative aims to bring together Indian agricultural exporters, farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs), food processors, manufacturers, Russian importers, distributors and relevant international trade-service providers.
Its objective is to build a structured business-engagement platform around market discovery, business networking, supplier and importer identification, trade delegations, international visibility and trade facilitation.
The approach goes beyond conventional buyer-finding services. It is about building the connections and supporting ecosystem required to make international trade engagement more accessible to businesses.
Beyond Finding Buyers: Building International Trade Connections
Finding a buyer is only one part of international trade.
Businesses entering a new market need to understand product demand, buyer specifications, quality requirements, pricing, import regulations, logistics, payment arrangements, documentation and distribution channels.
For many Indian growers, FPOs, agricultural producers and emerging exporters, accessing the right international business network can be challenging. Similarly, international importers may need reliable information about Indian suppliers, production capabilities, product availability and export readiness.
The India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative aims to bring these requirements into a common business-engagement framework.
Rather than operating as a conventional sourcing company or promising confirmed buyers and orders, the initiative will focus on connecting relevant participants, understanding commercial requirements and facilitating suitable business introductions through its network and partners.
Why India–Russia Agricultural Trade?
Agriculture is already an important component of India–Russia economic engagement.
In December 2025, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reported that bilateral agricultural trade stood at approximately US$3.5 billion. During discussions between the agriculture ministers of both countries, they explored possibilities for expanding trade in foodgrains and horticultural products. Cooperation in fertilisers, seeds, market access, agricultural research and innovation was also discussed.
The discussions highlighted the potential to strengthen agricultural trade while addressing the need for more balanced bilateral commerce.
Fresh grapes provide one example of the existing commercial relationship. According to the international trade figures cited for calendar year 2025, India exported approximately 23,066 tonnes of fresh grapes to Russia, valued at around US$36.70 million.
This existing trade provides a foundation for exploring wider engagement involving Indian grape growers, exporters, packhouses, FPOs, Russian importers and distributors.
Beyond grapes, the initiative intends to explore potential connections involving:
- Fresh grapes and pomegranates
- Mangoes and other fresh fruits
- Onions and selected vegetables
- Processed agricultural products
- Food ingredients and agro-based products
- Agricultural machinery and related technologies
- Other products based on market requirements and commercial feasibility
Every product-market connection will require a separate assessment of buyer specifications, pricing, quality standards, import regulations, logistics and applicable trade requirements.
Who Can Join the Initiative?
THE EXIM TIMES invites participation from businesses and organisations across the agricultural and food-trade ecosystem.
Indian Agricultural Businesses
- Fresh fruit and vegetable exporters
- Grape and pomegranate growers
- Farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs)
- Agricultural cooperatives and producer groups
- Packhouses and post-harvest infrastructure companies
- Food processors and agro-based manufacturers
- Merchant exporters and export houses
International Trade Participants
- Russian agricultural importers
- Fruit and food distributors
- Wholesale trading companies
- Food-processing businesses
- Retail and supermarket supply-chain participants
- International sourcing and procurement companies
Trade-Service Partners
- Freight forwarders and logistics companies
- Cold-chain and transportation providers
- Inspection and certification agencies
- Export documentation professionals
- Banks and trade-finance institutions
- Cargo and export-credit insurance providers
The initiative welcomes relevant participation from both established businesses and organisations exploring international trade for the first time. Participation will be subject to business relevance, verification and the scope of the programme.
What Will the Initiative Work Towards?
The India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative will focus on six areas of engagement.
1. Market Discovery and Intelligence
Developing market information and identifying agricultural product categories that may have commercial relevance in Russia.
This includes exploring market requirements, potential demand, product specifications, distribution channels and practical considerations involved in entering the market.
2. Buyer and Supplier Discovery
Identifying potential Russian importers, distributors and trading companies, alongside Indian exporters, growers, FPOs and manufacturers interested in international trade.
The objective is to improve business discovery and identify relevant participants for possible commercial engagement.
3. Business Introductions and Market Linkage
Facilitating relevant introductions between Indian and Russian businesses for preliminary discussions, exchange of requirements and exploration of potential commercial relationships.
4. Trade Delegations and Business Engagement
Exploring India–Russia business delegations, market visits, exhibitions, industry meetings and other engagement formats that can bring businesses together.
5. International Trade Services
Connecting participants with relevant logistics, cold-chain, documentation, inspection, trade-finance and insurance service providers through appropriate partners.
6. Trade Media and Business Visibility
Using THE EXIM TIMES’ trade-media platform to provide relevant business visibility through company profiles, sponsored articles, product features, special magazine coverage, interviews and trade-event reporting.
Sponsored and promotional content will be appropriately identified and remain subject to editorial and publishing policies.
Exploring an India–Russia Business Delegation
As part of the broader initiative, THE EXIM TIMES is exploring the possibility of organising an Indian business delegation to Russia, with an initial proposed participation target of approximately 30 business representatives.
The proposed delegation could bring together agricultural exporters, grape growers, FPOs, food processors, manufacturers and relevant trade-service partners.
Potential areas of engagement include:
- Meetings with Russian importers and distributors
- Interaction with agricultural and food-trade organisations
- Market visits and industry engagement
- Exploration of product-specific business requirements
- Discussions with logistics and trade-service providers
- Participation in relevant exhibitions and business events
The delegation is currently at the exploration and development stage. Its dates, location, programme, participating organisations and business meetings will be subject to further planning and confirmation.
Interested businesses can express their interest in joining the initiative and exploring possible participation.
The BRICS Connection: A Wider Agricultural Trade Vision
The India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative also comes at a significant time for agricultural cooperation among emerging economies.
India and Russia are both members of BRICS, a multilateral grouping that provides a platform for cooperation on economic, financial, political and development-related issues.
During India’s BRICS chairship in 2026, agricultural cooperation received significant attention.
The 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Indore on 12–13 June 2026. Discussions focused on food security and nutrition, agricultural trade and cooperation, climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture, and partnerships for innovation and investment. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration of September 2026 further recognised the importance of cooperation in agricultural trade, food security, resilient supply chains and agricultural value chains.
It also acknowledged continued discussions on a proposed BRICS Grain Exchange, including the possibility of expanding its scope to other agricultural products and commodities. The declaration highlighted the importance of facilitating intra-BRICS agricultural trade and strengthening cooperation involving farmers and food-production systems.
These developments provide a wider context for business-led initiatives connecting agricultural producers, exporters, importers and trade-service providers.
For Indian agricultural businesses, the larger BRICS cooperation agenda highlights the importance of looking beyond traditional export destinations and understanding the potential of emerging international trade corridors.
However, multilateral declarations and cooperation frameworks do not automatically create commercial orders or market access. Businesses still need to identify suitable buyers, meet destination-market requirements, establish competitive pricing and build reliable supply and logistics arrangements.
This is where practical business engagement becomes important.
Through the India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative, THE EXIM TIMES aims to contribute at the business level by facilitating market discovery, networking, relevant introductions and trade engagement between Indian and Russian participants.
The initiative is not a BRICS programme or government-backed project. It is an independent initiative of THE EXIM TIMES, aligned with the broader direction of international agricultural trade cooperation.
Introducing THE EXIM TIMES INTERNATIONAL TRADE DESK
The India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative is being developed under THE EXIM TIMES INTERNATIONAL TRADE DESK.
The International Trade Desk is envisioned as a trade-media-led platform connecting businesses with international markets, potential commercial partners and relevant trade services.
Its proposed areas of activity include:
Fresh Produce & Agri Trade Desk
Agricultural products, fresh produce, food processing and related business connections.
India–Russia Trade Desk
Bilateral business engagement, market linkage, importer discovery and trade delegations.
International Sourcing Desk
Product sourcing, supplier discovery, manufacturer identification and procurement connections.
Trade Services Desk
Logistics, trade finance, insurance, inspection, certification and documentation connections through qualified partners.
Trade Media & Business Visibility Desk
Company profiles, sponsored articles, special magazines, product showcases, interviews and trade-event coverage.
The longer-term vision is to develop similar country- and industry-focused initiatives, creating structured engagement between businesses across international markets.
Join the India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative
Are you an agricultural exporter, grape grower, FPO, food processor, manufacturer, Russian importer, distributor or trade-service provider?
THE EXIM TIMES invites businesses and organisations to join the India–Russia Agricultural Trade Initiative.
Whether you are looking to explore the Russian market, identify potential business connections, participate in trade delegations, understand sourcing requirements or build international business visibility, this initiative provides a platform to express your interest and become part of the developing trade network.
By joining, participants can share their business profiles, product interests, target markets and areas of potential collaboration. This will help THE EXIM TIMES understand the requirements of participating businesses and develop relevant market-linkage and business-engagement activities.
JOIN THE INDIA–RUSSIA AGRICULTURAL TRADE INITIATIVE
An Initiative by THE EXIM TIMES
THE EXIM TIMES INTERNATIONAL TRADE DESK
Connecting Global Buyers, Suppliers & Trade Services.
Website: https://theeximtimes.com
About THE EXIM TIMES
THE EXIM TIMES is an independent trade-media platform covering the export-import industry.
Through trade news, market linkage, trade events, trade missions, business features and its developing International Trade Desk, THE EXIM TIMES aims to connect businesses with information, industry networks and international trade engagement.
Independent Trade Media for the Export-Import Industry.
Participation in the initiative does not guarantee buyers, enquiries, orders, contracts, market access or commercial outcomes. THE EXIM TIMES facilitates market discovery, networking and relevant introductions. Commercial transactions and third-party services are subject to independent verification, applicable laws, partner arrangements and mutually agreed commercial terms.
