Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud met virtually with the Indian Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Food Processing Industries, Narendra Singh Tomar to discuss improving trade links between the two countries.
"Today was an important meeting with Minister Tomar - it is a true testament to the strength of our bilateral relationship that we were able to meet today given the challenging COVID-19 situation in India," Minister Littleproud said.
"The key to this relationship is building on and increasing agricultural trade between our two great countries - even small gains can mean large value for Australian exporters.
"Last year, we committed to the India-Australia Grains Partnership, and through this we aim to support closer grains industry relationships and share our expertise.
"But this doesn't just stop at market access. Australians are experts in grains storage, handling and supply chains, and we wish to share this knowledge with the world to help improve food security.
"Australia can be a partner of choice of India, offering our expertise and supporting India to manage fluctuations in their domestic grain supply.
"We are also working with our Indian partners to resolve trade barriers and seek approval of improved market access conditions such as in-transit phosphine fumigation for export commodities, which will provide more treatment options for Australian exporters.
"Access to safe, reliable food will be more important than ever as India and the world recovers from COVID-19.
"We are proud to be able to play our part in improving food security to one of our most important trading partners."
Fast Facts:
- Australia's two-way agricultural trade with India was valued at over $1 billion in 2020. Australia's key agricultural exports to India in 2020 were lentils, greasy wool, almonds, raw cotton and oats.
- In 2020, Australia achieved market improvements for in-transit cold treatment of pome fruit, summer fruit and table grapes and the phosphine treatment of malting barley.
- Market improvements for Australia grains, pulses and nuts (phosphine fumigation) are currently being negotiated along with market access for avocados.
