State begins push to expand agricultural exports to India

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Times-Dispatch
Published: November 21, 2011

Virginia is hiring a representative in India to push the state's interest in selling its agricultural and forestry products there, Gov. Bob McDonnell said this morning.

The governor, on a trade mission to India, said in a news release that the state's agricultural exports to China over the past 15 years have grown from "negligible" to almost $200 million annually.

"We believe that India could be the ‘next’ China for Virginia’s agriculture and forestry products. With a large customer base and growing economy, we hope to position Virginia as a market leader to take advantage of significant opportunities in India as the market develops,” the governor said in a statement released after a ceremony with the U.S. ambassador to India, Peter Burleigh, and agricultural importers and processors there.

The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has hired a New Delhi importing executive to represent Virginia’s agricultural and forestry interests in India. Atul Khana is the founder and president of i2iConsulting.

In 2010, Virginia agricultural exports to India were valued at $3.2 million, the governor's office said. Officials said the top Virginia export prospects for India include apples, wood products, soybean oils and wine.

The state also plans to hire an agricultural export officer for China, McDonnell said.

State begins push to expand agricultural exports to India

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