New Delhi: As US President Donald Trump imposes steep tariffs on several countries, including India, American agriculture and dairy corporations with vast financial resources are expanding their grip on global markets and are looking to increase their presence in India, according to a new report.
However, New Delhi has made it clear that it will not enter into trade agreements under pressure or on imposed deadlines, stressing that there will be no compromise on the interests of farmers, the dairy sector or agriculture as a whole.
“There is absolutely no chance of compromising on farmers, dairy and MSMEs, and no chance of allowing import of genetically-modified crops either,” government officials said.
Several major US agricultural and dairy companies already have operations in India.
According to a report by SBI Research, Cargill Inc, the world’s largest grain trader and the biggest privately held company in the US by revenue, is engaged in the production, trade, purchase and distribution of grain, palm oil, livestock feed, starch, glucose syrup and other agricultural commodities. With operations in over 70 countries, more than 60 subsidiaries and 1,55,000 employees, Cargill has been active in India since 1987 in food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products, posting revenues of Rs 13,850 crore in FY24.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), a US-based food processing and commodities trading firm, runs more than 270 plants and 420 crop procurement facilities globally. It processes oilseeds, corn, wheat, cocoa and other commodities, operating through segments including agri services and oilseeds, carbohydrate solutions, nutrition and animal feed. With 25 processing plants and 59 procurement centers in the Asia-Pacific region, ADM entered India in 2011, focusing on oilseeds, food and beverage ingredients, and animal nutrition. It employs around 38,000 people worldwide and operates in 200 countries.
Bunge Global SA, another major agribusiness and food company, deals in food ingredients, edible oils, milling products and fertilizers. Operating in India since 2001, Bunge reported revenues of Rs 8,900 crore in the first nine months of FY25.
Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest meat producers, has been operating in India through a joint venture with the Godrej Group since 2015.
CHS (Cenex Harvest States), a diversified global agribusiness cooperative owned by farmers, ranchers and member cooperatives in the US, offers crop nutrition and protection products, serving markets in 65 countries with about 10,000 employees.
While the US lags behind India and the EU in raw milk production, it remains a large market for processed dairy products. In 2015, India produced 155.5 million tons of milk, compared with the EU’s 154.6 million tons and the US’s 94.6 million tons. By 2024, India’s production had risen 36 per cent to 211.7 million tons, while the EU reached 165.9 million tons and the US 102.5 million tons, the report said.