New Delhi, Aug 19: India’s traditional makhana, or fox nut, is rapidly moving from local markets to global shelves, with the domestic market projected to reach ₹11,000–12,000 crore by 2029-30, according to an official government factsheet released on Wednesday.
Pic Credit: Pexel
The growth of the sector is being driven by rising demand for healthier snacks, premium food products and plant-based foods, along with increasing interest from organised food companies and exporters. The shift is creating new opportunities across farming, processing, packaging, branding and international trade.
India remains the world’s largest producer of makhana, with Bihar accounting for nearly three-fourths of domestic production and around 80-85 per cent of global supply. The crop is also cultivated in parts of West Bengal and Assam, while North Bihar remains the country’s main production hub.
Makhana production in India rose to 80,590 metric tonnes in 2025-26, according to second advance estimates, compared with 63,910 metric tonnes in 2024-25. Bihar alone is estimated to have produced around 60,000 metric tonnes during 2025-26. Improved cultivation methods and varieties such as Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1 are helping farmers improve productivity.
The domestic market has recorded annual growth of around 17-18 per cent between 2021-22 and 2024-25. While production increased at a slower pace, average prices rose sharply, reaching nearly ₹1,250 per kg in 2025, reflecting strong consumer demand and growing premiumisation of the product.
The changing consumer preference is also encouraging businesses to move beyond traditional roasted makhana. Flavoured snacks, ready-to-eat products, makhana flour and other value-added offerings are expanding the market and creating opportunities for food-processing enterprises.
The export opportunity is gaining momentum as well. India exported 7,264.89 metric tonnes of makhana products in 2025-26, valued at about ₹192.96 crore. The United States, Canada and the UAE remain the major destinations, while markets such as Germany, Australia and the UK offer scope for higher-value exports.
Recent export initiatives are also showing the potential of value addition. In July, APEDA facilitated the first sea shipment of value-added flavoured makhana from Bihar to Canada, highlighting the growing focus on processed agricultural products rather than only raw produce.
The government has taken several steps to strengthen the sector. The National Makhana Board, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, was created to support production, processing, value addition and marketing. In addition, a ₹476.03-crore Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana is being implemented for 2025-26 to 2030-31. The scheme focuses on research, quality seeds, farmer training, better harvesting and post-harvest practices, branding, marketing and exports.
The expansion of the makhana economy could have a wider impact on rural livelihoods, particularly in Bihar. Better processing facilities, stronger farmer organisations and improved market access can help farmers capture greater value from the crop while generating employment in rural areas.
With health-conscious consumers increasingly looking for nutritious and convenient snack options, makhana is gaining a stronger position in India’s evolving food market. The combination of rising domestic consumption, government support, improved technology and growing exports is positioning the crop as an important opportunity for farmers, food-processing companies, startups and exporters.
If the current growth momentum continues, makhana could move beyond its image as a regional traditional food and become one of India’s prominent value-added agri-food products for both domestic and international markets.