India-US agri trade at all-time high despite Trump’s tariff threats

NEW DELHI : These numbers clearly show that trade in agricultural goods between the two countries is booming. Agriculture has been a key roadblock in trade talks between India and the US. But what many may not know is that the trade in the same sector between the two countries, is actually growing fast and could hit a new record this year, as per a report.

Stats show growth in India-US agri trade
From a period of January to June in 2025, India imported $1,693.2 million worth of agricultural products from the US, which is approximately 49.1% more than what it bought during the same period in 2024 ($1,135.8 million). At the same time, India’s agricultural exports to the US also rose by 24.1%, from $2,798.9 million in early 2024 to $3,472.7 million in early 2025.

Even after declaring 50% tariffs on India, trade with US shows growth
US President Donald Trump has doubled the import tariff on Indian goods to 50%. While the full impact is yet to be seen, early signs show that farm trade between the two countries is still on track to hit record highs.

If this growth continues, India’s farm exports to the US could cross $7.7 billion this year. On the other hand, the US could export over $3.5 billion worth of agricultural goods to India in 2025, the IE report said.

Almonds, pistachios and ethanol – What US exports to India
The biggest US farm export to India is tree nuts, mainly almonds and pistachios. These were worth more than $1.1 billion in 2024 and have grown by another 42.8% in the first half of 2025.

Other major items include ethanol, soybean oil, and cotton. Ethanol worth over $420 million was sent to India last year, mostly for making industrial products like medicines and chemicals. The US wants India to also allow ethanol imports for fuel blending, but India has not agreed. India is also refusing to import genetically modified maize and soybeans, which the US wants to export.