India’s agri imports from South Australia grew 200% under zero-tariff regime

India’s imports of almonds, beans, oranges, wines, lentils, pulses, several processed agro foods, sheep meat etc. from the state of South Australia (SA) have risen significantly since the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into effect a year ago, said Nick Champion, Minister for Trade & Investment – South Australia.

India’s imports of almonds, beans, oranges, wines, lentils, pulses, several processed agro foods, sheep meat etc. from the state of South Australia (SA) have risen significantly since the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into effect a year ago, said Nick Champion, Minister for Trade & Investment – South Australia.

The minister who was on a six-day India tour spoke to The Hindu in Bengaluru: “South Australia has been witnessing growing import demand for lentils, pulses and certain other food items following the zero-tariff rate India introduced last year, resulting in food, wine and agribusiness sector exports to India growing more than 200% in the 12 months until September 2023.”

He said his state was also seeing significant opportunities to grow its exports to India especially products such as food and wine, and premium food products building upon the eliminated tariffs on over 85% of Australian goods–which will rise to 90% by January 2026.

“Above all these, India is a fast-growing market for premium agri products, food items and high-value wines with consumers’ disposable incomes on the rise,” the minister observed.

India is South Australia’s fifth-largest export market, with exports worth AUD 1.1 billion of goods over the last 12 months–a figure that has risen by 11% in the previous year.

Beyond dine and wines

According to the minister, India and South Australia share common goals, particularly in the demand for clean, green premium produce, renewable energy, health, international education, critical technologies and space industries.