India is the world's second-largest producer of Rice, Wheat and other cereals. The huge demand for cereals in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the export of Indian cereal products. In 2008, India imposed a ban on the export of rice and wheat, etc to meet domestic needs. Now, seeing the huge demand in the global market and the country's surplus production, India has lifted the ban, but only a limited amount of export of the commodity is allowed. The allowed marginal quantity of exported cereals could not make any significant impact either on domestic prices or the storage conditions.

The important cereals are - wheat, paddy, sorghum, millet (Bajra), barley and maize, etc. According to the first estimate for the year 2020-21 by the ministry of agriculture of India, the production of major cereals like rice, maize and Bajra stood at 102.36 million tonnes, 19.88 million tonnes and 9.23 million tonnes respectively. The latest data of wheat production is available for the periods of 2019-20 and it is estimated to be 107.49 million tonnes (4th advance estimates).   

India is the largest producer as well as the largest exporter of cereal products in the world. India's export of cereals stood at Rs. 111,062.37 Crore / 13,857.95 USD Millions during the year 2022-23. Rice (including Basmati and Non-Basmati) occupy the major share in India's total cereals export with 80% (in value terms) during the same period. Whereas, other cereals including wheat represent only a 20 % share of total cereals exported from India during this period.