New Delhi, August 19: India’s fox nut (makhana) sector is on a rapid growth trajectory in the coming years. According to an official fact sheet released by the central government, the country’s fox nut market could expand to a size of ₹11,000 to ₹12,000 crore by 2029-30, driven by increased production, strong domestic demand, better pricing, and a rise in exports.
The fact sheet indicates that from the fiscal year 2021-22 to 2024-25, fox nut production saw a modest increase of only 4 to 5 percent. However, during this period, its average price surged from approximately ₹500 per kilogram to ₹1,250 per kilogram. The rising demand for healthy food, premium branding, and limited supply growth have been key factors behind this price increase.
Fox nuts are becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers. Their low-fat content, high nutritional value, and the trend towards plant-based foods have bolstered their demand. Consequently, consumption is rising in both domestic and international markets.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, India’s total fox nut production reached 63,910 metric tons, with an average productivity of 2.03 metric tons per hectare. According to the second advance estimate for 2025-26, production is expected to rise to 80,590 metric tons, with productivity potentially increasing to 2.34 metric tons per hectare.
Bihar leads the country in fox nut production. In 2025-26, the state’s production is projected to be around 60,000 metric tons. Bihar’s average productivity stands at about 2 metric tons per hectare, contributing the largest share to national production.
Traditionally, fox nut cultivation has been practiced in ponds and reservoirs. However, the adoption of modern agricultural techniques has enhanced production capacity. The use of advanced varieties such as Field System farming, Swarna Vaidehi, and Sabour Makhana-1 has enabled farmers to achieve better yields. According to the government, continuous progress in this sector is attributed to the expansion of cultivation areas, increased productivity, and reduced farming risks.
India produces over 0.6 lakh metric tons of fox nuts annually, with approximately 40 percent, or around 23,000 to 25,000 metric tons, being exported, while the remainder is consumed in the domestic market.
Globally, the demand for clean-label and plant-based superfoods is rapidly increasing. In this context, India’s robust production base is establishing fox nuts as a premium snack in international markets. Experts believe that new export opportunities could further accelerate the growth rate of this sector.
The fact sheet reveals that the domestic fox nut market recorded an annual growth rate of 17 to 18 percent between 2021-22 and 2024-25. Strong domestic demand has largely insulated this sector from fluctuations in global markets.
Recognizing the growing significance of the fox nut sector, the central government announced the establishment of a National Fox Nut Board in the 2025-26 budget. Additionally, a ₹476.03 crore scheme for fox nut development has been approved for the period from 2025-26 to 2030-31.
This scheme will focus on promoting research and innovation, ensuring the availability of quality seeds, enhancing farmer skill development, improving harvesting and post-harvest management, promoting value addition, branding, marketing, and exports. Furthermore, quality control measures will be strengthened.
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