Trump’s 25% tariff to hit makhana export from Bihar

PATNA: The US president Donald Trump's announcement of imposing 25% tariff on Indian products imported to his country is likely to hit makhana (fox nut) exports from Bihar. The state has a share of more than 25% of the makhana export from India.

Till now, the import duty on Indian makhana in the US was 3.5%, which became 25% from Aug 1.

Makhana exporter Satyajit Kumar Singh told this newspaper on Friday that Bihar is a major exporter of fox nuts. "India exports approximately 2,000 tonnes of fox nuts worth around $30 million (Rs 240 crore) per annum to the US and other countries. In 2024, Bihar alone contributed 600 tonnes to India's makhana export to the United States," said the managing director of a leading fox nut export firm in the state, adding the "superfood" was getting popular in the US and competing with their local walnut and almond due to its health benefits.

Singh said Trump's July 30 decision to impose a 25% tariff on Indian imports, effective from early Aug, could significantly affect India's annual makhana exports to the US.

"This policy may increase landed costs, squeezing competitiveness in a price-sensitive category. However, Indian makhana — clean-label, plant-based and sustainably sourced — could emerge attractive. Exporters must double down on FDA compliance, origin-based branding, traceability and value-added innovation," he said.

"However, if managed diligently, this external challenge may catalyse makhana's breakthrough as a premium superfood in the US market," Satyajit added.

The 25% tariff is bound to drastically increase makhana prices in the US. At present, it is sold in the US market at a rate of Rs 8,000/kg. It is believed that the US importers will ask for a 25% reduction in prices of makhana imported from India. That will make things difficult for the Indian exporters, who are likely to look towards other countries for exporting their product, experts believed.

After the US, Nepal and the UAE are the major importers of makhana from India.

The experts said more than 85% of the country's makhana is produced in Bihar. However, Punjab and Assam are its biggest exporters due to lack of a good food processing industry and the necessary infrastructure like cargo facility for export in Bihar.

According to industry experts, besides makhana, Bihar exports Basmati rice, mango and litchi to Europe and the Gulf countries.