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India & NZ sign FTA with focus on balanced exchange of agri and food products
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Tuesday, 28 April, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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India and New Zealand officially signed a Free Trade Agreement and while the pact covers various sectors, the primary focus is on a balanced exchange of agricultural and food products designed to benefit both economies without disrupting local markets.
?The FTA was signed by Indian Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, New Zealand, in New Delhi.
Under the terms of the agreement, New Zealand will eliminate tariffs on a wide array of Indian food exports.
This includes immediate duty-free access for Indian rice, spices, tea, and processed organic foods.
Experts suggest this will allow Indian farmers and food processors to establish a stronger foothold in the premium New Zealand market, where demand for organic and ethnic Indian produce is rising.
?Conversely, India has granted New Zealand improved access for high-value agricultural items.
Tariffs will be significantly reduced on New Zealand kiwifruit, apples, and blueberries.
These reductions are expected to make fresh, seasonal produce more affordable for Indian consumers during the off-season.
?A notable feature of the deal is the preservation of India’s dairy sector.
To protect the livelihoods of millions of domestic small-scale dairy farmers, India has excluded milk, cheese, and butter from tariff concessions.
Instead, both nations have agreed to a "Technical Cooperation Framework."
This initiative focuses on sharing New Zealand’s advanced cold-chain technology and livestock management practices to help Indian farmers modernise their operations and reduce post-harvest losses.
?This agreement is expected to double the bilateral trade in food and agricultural products within the next four years, fostering a more resilient supply chain between the two nations.
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