Horticulture area expected to touch 30.15 million hectares; fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal crops drive growth
17 June 2026, New Delhi: India’s horticulture sector is projected to achieve another milestone in 2025-26, with total production estimated at 377.78 million tonnes, according to the Second Advance Estimates released by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The estimate represents an increase of 1.9% over the previous year’s final production of 370.74 million tonnes.
Horticulture Area and Production Estimates (2025-26)
Particulars
2024-25 (Final)
2025-26 (First Advance Estimates)
2025-26 (Second Advance Estimates)
Area (Lakh Ha)
301.36
301.31
301.51
Production (Lakh Tonne)
3707.38
3708.46
3777.76
The area under horticultural cultivation is also expected to rise marginally to 30.15 million hectares, compared with 30.14 million hectares in 2024-25, reflecting continued expansion across key crop categories.
The latest estimates indicate stronger output across fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal and aromatic plants, underscoring the growing importance of horticulture in India’s agricultural economy.
Fruit Production Sees Strongest Growth
Fruit production is expected to reach 121.48 million tonnes in 2025-26, up from 117.65 million tonnes in 2024-25, marking a growth of 3.25%. The increase is largely attributed to higher production of banana, mango, papaya, apple and guava.
The growth in fruit output continues to reinforce the sector’s role in improving farm incomes and meeting rising domestic demand for nutritious food products.
Vegetable Output Crosses 221 Million Tonnes
Vegetable cultivation area is estimated to increase to 11.88 million hectares, while production is expected to rise to 221.00 million tonnes, compared with 217.80 million tonnes in the previous year.
Higher production is anticipated in major vegetables such as potato, tomato, okra, peas, cauliflower and bottle gourd.
Among individual crops, potato production is projected at 59.89 million tonnes, representing a 2.25% increase over the previous year. Tomato production is estimated at 21.46 million tonnes, reflecting a 4.19% growth from 2024-25 levels.
Onion Area Expands but Production Remains Stable
The area under onion cultivation is expected to increase by 2.31% to 2.01 million hectares. However, production is projected to remain largely stable at 30.74 million tonnes, compared with 30.77 million tonnes in 2024-25.
The estimates suggest that productivity variations across major producing states may offset the gains from expanded acreage.
Flowers and Medicinal Crops Register Healthy Gains
The floriculture sector is expected to record one of the strongest growth rates within horticulture. Flower production is projected to increase by 7.47%, reaching 4.58 million tonnes, while the cultivated area is expected to rise to 0.40 million hectares.
Production of aromatic and medicinal plants is estimated at 0.98 million tonnes, up from 0.90 million tonnes in the previous year, reflecting growing demand from pharmaceutical, wellness and essential oil industries.
Plantation Crops and Spices Continue to Expand
Plantation crops are expected to cover 4.66 million hectares, with production estimated at 16.93 million tonnes during 2025-26.
The spices segment is also projected to register growth, with area expected to reach 5.00 million hectares and production estimated at 12.66 million tonnes. Production gains are anticipated in crops such as garlic, turmeric, curry leaf and fenugreek.
The Second Advance Estimates suggest that India’s horticulture sector remains on a steady growth trajectory despite climatic and market challenges. Rising output of fruits and vegetables, coupled with expanding production of flowers, spices and medicinal crops, is expected to support food availability, nutritional security and value-added agricultural exports.
With horticulture increasingly contributing to farm diversification and higher-value agriculture, the sector continues to emerge as a key driver of agricultural growth in India.
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