Odisha agri and food-processing exports may hit $1 bn by 2035
Synopsis
ASSOCHAM has put a $1 billion target on Odisha's agricultural and food-processing exports by 2035, backed by the state's $69.72 million FDI intake in 2025. The chamber says cold-chain gaps and MSME readiness are the remaining obstacles between ambition and delivery.
Key Takeaways
ASSOCHAM projects Odisha's agri and food-processing exports could reach $1 billion by 2035 .
Agriculture contributes nearly one-fifth of Odisha's economy, providing a strong base for scaling food processing.
The state attracted $69.72 million in foreign direct investment in 2025 .
ASSOCHAM President Nirmal K.
Minda positioned Odisha as a potential model for processing-led agricultural transformation aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat .
Key gaps flagged include cold-chain infrastructure, testing and certification capacity, and MSME readiness to meet global standards.
Odisha has the potential to reach $1 billion in agricultural and food-processing exports by 2035, according to industry chamber ASSOCHAM, which released a statement on Monday, 10 August calling for stronger policy execution and deeper industry participation to unlock the state's untapped capacity.
The Case for Odisha as a Food-Processing Hub
ASSOCHAM argued that Odisha's diversified agricultural production base, combined with agriculture contributing nearly one-fifth of the state's economy, creates ideal conditions for scaling up food processing. The chamber said a decentralised decision-making process in the sector would enhance production possibilities, explore export potential, accelerate GDP growth, and support employment creation.
'A strategic shift towards value-added processing and export-oriented production could significantly enhance income realisation, generate employment, and position Odisha as a competitive food-processing hub in India,' the ASSOCHAM statement noted.
What Industry Leaders Said
Nirmal K. Minda, President of ASSOCHAM, said Odisha has emerged as a leading investment destination in the country, demonstrating progress through investor-friendly reforms, robust infrastructure development, and a commitment to sustainable industrialisation. He added that beyond scaling exports, Odisha can position itself as a model for processing-led agricultural transformation, contributing to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, highlighted that the Government of Odisha has shown resolve to position the state as a preferred destination for food-processing industries. 'Odisha's food processing sector offers a compelling opportunity to redefine the state's economic trajectory. While the foundations, including agriculture, fisheries, and policy support, are firmly in place, the next step is to scale up, improve efficiency, and integrate markets,' Sanyal said.
Investment Momentum and FDI Signals
The state received $69.72 million in foreign direct investment in 2025, a figure ASSOCHAM cited as evidence of growing investor confidence. The chamber noted that Odisha's development journey is entering a phase in which value addition will define the pace and quality of growth.
Key Gaps and Recommendations
ASSOCHAM stressed the need to strengthen cold-chain networks, expand testing and certification infrastructure, and enable MSMEs to meet global standards. These gaps, the chamber argued, remain the primary bottlenecks preventing the state from realising its full export potential. Addressing them, it said, would be critical to hitting the $1 billion target within the next decade.
With policy foundations reportedly in place, the trajectory of Odisha's food-processing ambitions will hinge on how swiftly the state can translate investment interest into verifiable export growth.
Point of View
But ASSOCHAM's own statement identifies the structural gaps that could prevent it — weak cold-chain networks, limited testing infrastructure, and MSMEs not yet export-ready. Odisha's FDI figure of $69.72 million in 2025, while positive, is modest relative to the scale of transformation required. The state has heard similar processing-hub narratives before; what is missing from this report is a timeline with milestones and accountability mechanisms. Without those, the 2035 target risks being a headline number rather than a policy commitment.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Odisha's food-processing export target by 2035?
ASSOCHAM projects that Odisha's agricultural and food-processing exports could reach $1 billion by 2035, driven by the state's strong agricultural base and growing investor interest. The chamber has called for stronger policy execution and industry participation to achieve this goal.
Why is Odisha considered a potential food-processing hub?
Odisha has a diversified agricultural production base, and agriculture contributes nearly one-fifth of the state's economy. Combined with investor-friendly reforms and recent FDI inflows of $69.72 million in 2025, these factors create conditions suited to scaling up food processing and exports.
What did ASSOCHAM recommend to unlock Odisha's export potential?
ASSOCHAM recommended strengthening cold-chain networks, expanding testing and certification infrastructure, and enabling MSMEs to meet global export standards. The chamber also called for decentralised decision-making in the food-processing sector to accelerate growth.
How much FDI did Odisha receive in 2025?
Odisha received $69.72 million in foreign direct investment in 2025, according to ASSOCHAM. The chamber cited this as a signal of growing investor confidence in the state's economic and industrial potential.
What is the broader significance of Odisha's food-processing push?
ASSOCHAM framed Odisha's food-processing expansion as contributing to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, positioning the state as a potential model for processing-led agricultural transformation across India. Success here could influence how other states approach agri-value-chain development.
