Zespri welcomed the India-New Zealand FTA's entry into force, a significant milestone that will support long-term growth in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing consumer markets.
The FTA will deliver meaningful tariff relief for New Zealand growers, with the tariff on kiwifruit exports into India removed on up to 15,000 tonnes per year, and the tariff on all volume above that halved to 16.5 percent, down from 33 percent.
Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake said India is a strategically important market for Zespri, with growing consumer demand for healthy, premium fruit and significant opportunities to expand the kiwifruit category over time.
While interest in kiwifruit continues to grow, Te Brake said high tariffs have historically constrained sales and limited investment in market development. The FTA provides greater certainty to invest in building demand and grow the category in India over the long term.
"The entry into force of this agreement marks an important moment for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry and for our relationship with India. We have strong confidence in India as a future market and are investing to build the market from next year,” said Te Brake.
“This New Zealand sales season is coming to an end, and growers will benefit from reduced tariffs from the 2027 season, as work continues on the New Zealand industry-funded support programme for Indian green kiwifruit growers.”
He added that India is home to more than 1.4 billion people and is one of the world's fastest-growing large economies and that he saw enormous potential to bring premium, healthy kiwifruit to more consumers while delivering strong value back to New Zealand growers.
"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.”
Alongside this, the Kiwifruit Action Plan has been launched as a key FTA deliverable. The KAP is a five-year programme focused solely on green kiwifruit, funded by New Zealand kiwifruit growers and delivered by the Bioeconomy Science Institute to support the development of the Indian kiwifruit industry and grow overall consumer demand for kiwifruit in India.
The programme 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. It works alongside Indian kiwifruit growers in rural communities to improve production and supply chain performance.
A key focus is establishing Centres of Excellence, or model orchards, in key growing regions to demonstrate best practice and provide training tailored to Indian conditions. The first two Centres of Excellence are under establishment in Nagaland and Uttarakhand.
According to Te Brake, the Centres of Excellence demonstrate the industry's commitment to ensuring the benefits of the agreement are shared by growers and communities in both countries. This partnership aims to create value for both sides.
“We believe that by working together we can create lasting benefits for growers, consumers and communities in both countries."
Zespri also acknowledges the efforts of the New Zealand and Indian governments, negotiators and officials whose work helped secure the agreement and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
“Trade is critical to New Zealand’s prosperity. New opportunities like this will enable New Zealand exports and support jobs and communities. We have strong confidence in India and expect the deal to deliver significant benefits over time.”
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