16 March 2026, New Delhi: India’s total horticulture production is estimated to reach 370.85 million tonnes in 2025–26, reflecting steady growth from 370.74 million tonnes in 2024–25 and 354.74 million tonnes in 2023–24, according to the First Advance Estimates for 2025–26 and Final Estimates for 2024–25 released by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The estimates were approved by India’s Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
India Horticulture Sector Snapshot (2023–24 to 2025–26)
Indicator
2023–24 (Final)
2024–25 (Final)
2025–26 (1st Advance Estimate)
Change 2023–24 → 2024–25
Total Area (Million Hectares)
29.09
30.14
30.13
+1.05 Mha (+3.61%)
Total Production (Million Tonnes)
354.74
370.74
370.85
+15.99 Mt (+4.51%)
The data shows that India’s horticulture sector continues to expand steadily, with both cultivation area and production reaching new highs in recent years. The total area under horticulture crops increased from 29.086 million hectares in 2023–24 to 30.136 million hectares in 2024–25, representing an increase of 1.05 million hectares (3.61%). The 2025–26 advance estimate places the horticulture area at around 30.131 million hectares, indicating sustained cultivation levels.
During the same period, horticulture production grew by 15.99 million tonnes, rising from 354.74 million tonnes in 2023–24 to 370.74 million tonnes in 2024–25, reflecting a 4.51% increase. The slight rise expected in 2025–26 to 370.85 million tonnes suggests that the sector is maintaining its strong growth momentum.
According to Chouhan, horticulture has emerged as an important driver of farmers’ income growth in India, with increased cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers and medicinal crops contributing to diversification and higher farm profitability.
Fruits and Vegetables Driving Production Growth
Fruit production in India increased significantly in 2024–25, reaching 117.65 million tonnes, compared to 112.98 million tonnes in 2023–24, representing a 4.13% increase. The rise was mainly driven by higher production of banana, mango, mandarin, papaya, guava, watermelon and jackfruit.
Vegetables, which account for the largest share of India’s horticulture output, also recorded strong growth. Production increased from 207.21 million tonnes in 2023–24 to 217.80 million tonnes in 2024–25, reflecting a 5.11% increase. Growth was reported in crops such as onion, potato, green chilli, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, okra, peas and several cucurbit crops.
For 2025–26, fruit production is expected to increase further to 118.68 million tonnes, while vegetable production is estimated at about 216.16 million tonnes, with higher output anticipated in crops such as tomato, peas, tapioca and green chilli.
Major Crop Category Production
Crop Category
2023–24 Production (Million Tonnes)
2024–25 Production (Million Tonnes)
Growth
Fruits
112.98
117.65
+4.13%
Vegetables
207.21
217.80
+5.11%
Spices
12.48
12.99
+4.08%
Flowers
3.54
4.27
+20.65%
Aromatic & Medicinal Plants
0.73
0.90
+24% approx
Onion, Potato and Tomato Production Trends
The estimates also highlight strong growth in several key vegetable crops. Onion cultivation area increased significantly from 1.54 million hectares in 2023–24 to 1.97 million hectares in 2024–25, a 27.74% expansion. Production is estimated to reach 30.77 million tonnes, up from 24.27 million tonnes the previous year.
Potato production is estimated at 58.57 million tonnes in 2024–25, up from 57.05 million tonnes in 2023–24, with 2025–26 production projected at about 58.45 million tonnes.
Tomato production is estimated at 20.60 million tonnes in 2024–25, slightly lower than the 21.32 million tonnes recorded in 2023–24, but is expected to rebound strongly in 2025–26 to around 22.70 million tonnes.
Key Crop Highlights
Crop
2023–24 Production
2024–25 Production
Change
Onion
24.27 million tonnes
30.77 million tonnes
+26.79%
Potato
57.05 million tonnes
58.57 million tonnes
+2.66%
Tomato
21.32 million tonnes
20.60 million tonnes
Slight decline
High-Value Crops Expand: Spices, Flowers and Medicinal Plants
High-value horticulture crops also recorded notable growth. The cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants increased by 6.13%, expanding from 0.926 million hectares in 2023–24 to 0.983 million hectares in 2024–25. Production is estimated at 0.90 million tonnes, compared with 0.73 million tonnes in the previous year.
Floriculture saw a particularly sharp increase, with the cultivated area rising from 0.317 million hectares in 2023–24 to 0.397 million hectares in 2024–25, representing a 25.24% increase. Flower production rose to 4.27 million tonnes, reflecting 20.65% growth.
Spice cultivation also expanded modestly, with area increasing from 5.024 million hectares to 5.093 million hectares, while production rose from 12.48 million tonnes to 12.99 million tonnes. Notable increases were reported in cumin, ginger, garlic and turmeric production.
Plantation Crops and Future Outlook
Plantation crop production stood at 17.66 million tonnes in 2023–24 and is estimated at 16.98 million tonnes in 2024–25. For 2025–26, the area under plantation crops is expected to reach 4.659 million hectares, while production may rise to 17.97 million tonnes, reflecting projected growth of 1.61% in area and 5.82% in production.
Chouhan said that continued investments in technology adoption, irrigation expansion, value chain development, cold storage infrastructure, processing and improved market access are supporting the steady expansion of India’s horticulture sector.
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