A new study suggests Odisha could become one of India’s leading agri-export and food-processing hubs by 2035, driven by infrastructure, reforms, and strategic value addition, potentially reaching $1 billion annually in exports.
Odisha could be on track to become one of India’s leading agri-export and food-processing centres by 2035, with annual agricultural and processed-food exports potentially reaching $1 billion, according to a new study by the Assocham Global Research and Strategy Centre.
The study argues that the state’s real opportunity lies not in shipping out raw farm and marine produce, but in building a stronger chain of value-added processing, export-focused production and logistics. It says that approach could lift farmers’ earnings, generate large-scale employment and broaden Odisha’s industrial base beyond its traditional sectors.
The report comes as the state government accelerates investment promotion across several industries. At the Odisha Food Pro 2026 investors’ meet in New Delhi, the state received investment intentions worth more than ₹43,437 crore, with projected employment of 43,316 jobs. Around ₹5,000 crore of that was tied specifically to food processing, underscoring the sector’s growing strategic importance.
Assocham president Nirmal K Minda said Odisha has become a promising investment destination because of reform measures, infrastructure development and an emphasis on sustainable industrial growth. He said the state’s foreign direct investment inflows stood at $69.72 million in 2025. The study also points to Odisha’s seven food-processing parks in five districts, with plans for five more parks across another five districts on 1,000 acres of land.
Odisha’s agricultural advantage is broad. Agriculture accounts for nearly one-fifth of the state economy, and its output range includes rice, fruit, vegetables, cashew, spices, fisheries, poultry and dairy. The state also has 10 agro-climatic zones and a 575-km coastline, giving it a substantial supply base for food processors. But the report warns that production alone will not be enough. It says Odisha must improve cold-chain facilities, food testing, certification, processing capacity and market links if it is to compete in global trade.
The state has already begun to show progress on that front. In June, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority helped facilitate Odisha’s first commercial export of dried whole egg powder from Balangir to Austria. The 22.6-tonne shipment from OVO Farm Pvt Ltd marked a notable step in value-added exports. Seafood, too, has become a stronger export line for the state, with shipments crossing ₹5,000 crore in 2025-26.
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