PDF: 2962 pages, 5.2 MB - Bay Area Council Economic Institute

Global Reach
Top export cargoes moving to India via the Bay Area include:
Almonds
Cotton
Petroleum coke
Chemical catalysts
Lab reagents
Animal hides
Wastepaper
Polyester fabric
Metal scrap
Filtration equipment
Oilfield equipment
Metal fabrication equipment
Electrical machinery
Computers/parts
Telecommunications equipment
Recorded media
Integrated circuits
X-ray/medical equipment
Scientific testing instruments
Leather goods
California-grown almonds are the largest agricultural export commodity to India, with a 2006 value
of more than $157 million, of which $118 million worth was shipped via the Bay Area. India buys
approximately 7–8% of California’s almond exports each year and 5% of cotton exports.
Fresh and frozen produce exports are hampered by high air freight costs or, alternatively, long
sailing times and poor inland infrastructure and distribution networks to get perishables to market.
U.S. agricultural exports also face average tariffs of 30% imposed by the Indian government.
India’s reference pricing system and a 45% tariff has constrained U.S. soybean oil exports, and
sanitary and phytosanitary certification and inspection rules limit shipments of peas, beans and
lentils, wheat, apples, poultry, and dairy products. Almond exports occur under a waiver of rules
banning the use of phosphine as a fumigant.
Major California Agricultural Exports to India ($ millions)
2004 2005 2006 2007
Almonds $94 $130 $157 $175
Cotton $10 $34 $30 $9
Table Grapes $8 $11 $12 $7
Other $3 $1 $3 $10
Total $115 $176 $202 $201
Source: University of California, Agricultural Issues Center.
California’s high-tech sales to India totaled $606 million in 2008, according to TechAmerica
(formerly the American Electronics Association). While this was a small fraction of the state’s
$49.3 billion in worldwide tech exports (with India as California’s 19th largest market), it represents
a 58% increase since 2002.
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