New Delhi: India has sought early market access for grape exports to New Zealand and approval for its vapour heat treatment (VHT) facilities in Delhi and Lucknow, which are used to kill pests.
During a bilateral meeting on Monday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged his New Zealand counterpart Todd McClay to approve the VHT facilities as part of India's broader strategy to enhance fruit trade between the two countries, an official statement from the agriculture ministry said.
Coin On June 26, it was reported that India plans to start negotiations for a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand.
As VHT is critical to meeting New Zealand's stringent biosecurity standards, India is seeking expedited approval and market entry to strengthen trade ties with New Zealand and expand fruit exports.
Vapour heat treatment (VHT) is a process used to kill pests and pathogens on fruit, ensuring safety and compliance with biosecurity standards. It is important for exporting fruit to countries with strict regulations.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, India is a leading exporter of fresh grapes, with an export value of $417 million in FY24. The country ships grapes to various destinations, including the Netherlands, the UK, the UAE, Russia and Bangladesh.
While both ministers discussed expansion of trade in fresh and dried fruits, Chouhan specifically mentioned the possibility of providing early market access to Indian exporters for export of grapes to New Zealand, the ministry said.
New Delhi has started focusing on exporting agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to new destinations such as the US, the European Union and African countries, following a self-imposed ban on exports of rice and wheat for more than a year.
The 2024 Economic Survey proposes to place more emphasis on growing high-value crops to increase farmers' incomes.
The agricultural sector, which has grown at an average rate of 4.18% over the past five years, remains crucial to economic growth.
Also read: Commerce Department shifts focus to pushing fresh fruits and vegetables to US and EU
The Economic Survey stated that smallholder farmers cannot significantly increase their incomes by producing only rice, wheat, millet, pulses and oilseeds. They should shift to high-value agriculture such as fruits, vegetables, fisheries, poultry and dairy.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, India’s annual grape production is around 3.5 million tonnes. Major grape producing states include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
