New Delhi,jul 24
Indian farmers are likely to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA).Post formalisation, the FTA is expected to open premium markets in the UK for Indian produce, offering similar or even better benefits than those enjoyed by exporters from European countries like Germany and the Netherlands.Indian staples such as turmeric, pepper, and cardamom, along with processed products like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses, will get duty-free access, improving their margins and market reach.India’s agriculture exports to the United Kingdom are expected to grow by over 20 per cent over next three years. This increase will be driven by duty-free access for a wide range of Indian agricultural and processed food products. Over 95 per cent of India’s agricultural and processed food tariff lines will face zero duties once the agreement is enforced.These include fruits, vegetables, cereals, spice mixes, fruit pulps, ready-to-eat meals, and more. This move will reduce the landed cost of these goods in the UK and enhance their competitiveness in both mainstream and ethnic retail chains.
At the same time, through the FTA India has taken steps to protect its most sensitive agricultural sectors. There will be no tariff concessions on dairy products, apples, oats, and edible oils, ensuring domestic farmers in these areas are not affected.The FTA also opens up opportunities for new and emerging products like jackfruit, millets, vegetables, and organic herbs, encouraging farmers to diversify and better manage domestic price fluctuations.The agreement will also provide a major boost to India’s fisheries sector, particularly in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.By offering zero-duty access for 99 per cent of exports such as shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, and feeds, which currently face duties between 4.2 to 8.5 per cent, the FTA is expected to unlock rapid growth in India’s seafood exports.
