India gains duty concessions for agricultural exports under newly concluded India-EU FTA

28 Jan 2026 Evaluate

The Commerce Ministry has said that India has gained duty concessions for its agricultural exports under the newly concluded India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for a wide range of products, including processed foods, tea, coffee, spices, table grapes, sheep and lamb meat. The agreement is expected to help boost exports of these commodities in the 27 nations of the EU, as concessions will enhance the competitiveness of these goods. The other items that will get preferential market access in the EU include gherkins, cucumbers, sweet corn, dried onion, and some other fruits and vegetable products.  

The ministry said strategic safeguards for sensitive sectors like dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, certain fruits and vegetables are needed to ensure export growth and protect domestic priorities. India is not providing any import duty concessions on these goods as they are under the exclusion list. India has not given concessions in the dairy sector in any of its FTAs signed so far, as it involves the lives of small and marginalised farmers. It noted that India-EU FTA positions Indian agriculture to capture higher value in European markets, drive sectoral prosperity, and reinforce long-term resilience through sustained livelihood and reliable income opportunities. It also said that the FTA ensures that the goods exported under the pact undergo adequate processing or manufacturing for them to get the originating status and preferential access.

It said the product-specific rules (PSRs) are balanced and aligned with existing supply chains and these rules will ensure substantial processing in the exporting country is undertaken while providing for adequate flexibility to source inputs from global value chains. The agreement, which is expected to come into force this year itself, will reduce the time and associated cost of compliance for Indian exporters by allowing self-certification through a statement on origin. 


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