Leading kiwifruit grower and distributor Zespri welcomed the entry into force of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today, calling it "a significant milestone that will support long-term growth in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing consumer markets."

The agreement allows the tariff-free entry of 15,000 annual metric tons of kiwifruit into India, and volumes above that will be subject to only half of the traditional 33 percent tariff. As the sales season comes to an end, local growers will be able to reap the benefits of the FTA in the upcoming 2027 campaign. 

"The entry into force of this agreement marks an important moment for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry and for our relationship with India," said Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake in a press release posted on the company's website. "We have strong confidence in India as a future market and are investing to build the market from next year."

Home to 1.4 billion people, the South Asian country is one of the world's fastest-growing large economies, making it a strategically important market with significant opportunities to expand the kiwifruit category over time. 

"The improved market access provided through the FTA gives us the confidence to continue investing in the market, strengthen partnerships with our customers and distributors, and increase awareness of kiwifruit among Indian consumers,” Te Brake noted.

As part of the FTA, New Zealand launched the Kiwifruit Action Plan (KAP), a five year-program funded by New Zealand kiwifruit growers and delivered by the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

The initiative focuses on supporting the development of the Indian green kiwifruit industry and growing overall consumer demand for the fruit in India. The program is based on the complementary nature of the two industries, with Indian-grown and New Zealand-grown kiwifruit available at different times of the year.

"This partnership is about creating value on both sides. We believe that by working together we can create lasting benefits for growers, consumers and communities in both countries," Te Brake commented. 

*All images courtesy of Zespri

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