India free trade agreement: Zespri welcomes deal as kiwifruit tariffs slashed

The signing of the free trade agreement with India marks a significant victory for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry. Zespri, a global leader in kiwifruit, has expressed its strong welcome for this development, which promises to unlock substantial economic benefits for our growers. The current 33% tariff has been a major impediment, heavily constraining our ability to export this premium New Zealand product to the vast Indian market.

This new agreement is set to remove that barrier, eliminating tariffs on up to 15,000 tonnes of kiwifruit exports annually. This is not just a trade deal; it's a lifeline that will save our kiwifruit growers millions of dollars. It represents a crucial step in diversifying our export markets and strengthening our agricultural sector's global competitiveness.

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Kiwifruit growers will save millions of dollars in tariffs thanks to the new trade agreement with India, industry giant Zespri says.

From New Zealand's perspective, this agreement underscores our commitment to forging strong international partnerships that benefit our primary industries. It highlights the value of strategic trade negotiations in opening doors for our high-quality produce. We anticipate that this will lead to increased production, greater returns for our hardworking growers, and a further boost to New Zealand's export-driven economy.

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Zespri says its kiwifruit sales have been “heavily constrained” by the current 33% tariff.