The recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the United Kingdom is expected to bring major benefits to India’s agriculture sector. Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while addressing the media in Delhi, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this landmark agreement and congratulated farmers across the country.
Describing the agreement as "historic and unprecedented", Chouhan said it aligns with national interests and strongly supports Indian farmers. He highlighted that India is a trade surplus country in agriculture with the UK, exporting around Rs 8,500 crore worth of agricultural products, while importing only Rs 3,200 crore. This trade balance is expected to grow further in India’s favor with the new agreement.
Importantly, Chouhan highlighted that Indian farmers' interests have been fully protected. No concessions were granted on products that could harm domestic producers. Key agricultural items such as wheat, rice, maize, and coarse grains have not been included in the import relaxation list. Likewise, fruits like apples, pomegranates, grapes, pears, plums, mangoes, and guavas have not seen any duty cuts for imports from the UK.
He added that oilseeds including soybean, groundnut, and mustard; dry fruits such as cashew, almonds, and walnuts; vegetables like potatoes, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and peas; as well as pulses like black gram, chickpeas, moong, lentils, kidney beans, and tur dal, have all been excluded from any import duty concessions. Even in the case of flowers (rose, lily, orchid) and spices (turmeric, large cardamom), no relaxations have been offered.
On the export side, however, the UK has agreed to remove all import duties on major Indian agricultural exports including fruits, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, medicinal plants, flowers, and dairy products. This 0% import duty structure is expected to make Indian produce more affordable in the UK market, boosting demand and increasing export volumes.
Chouhan concluded by stating that this deal is a win-win for Indian farmers, safeguarding their domestic interests while opening new global opportunities through increased exports to the UK.
