India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement a Major Boost for Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh
26 July 2025, New Delhi: The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the United Kingdom is set to have a significant positive impact on the agricultural sector.
In a statement to the media in Delhi, Minister Shivraj Singh described the agreement as remarkable, unprecedented, and historic, serving the broad interests of the nation and its farmers. India currently enjoys a trade surplus with the UK in agricultural products, exporting approximately INR 8,500 crore worth of farm produce while importing about INR 3,200 crore. The agreement, therefore, is expected to benefit India significantly by increasing exports further.
The Minister assured that farmers’ interests have been fully protected. “The welfare of farmers is paramount. We have ensured that no concessions were given on imports that could adversely affect our farmers,” he said. Key staples such as wheat, rice, maize, and other cereals produced extensively in India have been excluded from any tariff reductions.
Similarly, major fruits including apple, pomegranate, grapes, pear, plum, mango, and guava were kept outside any concessions. Oilseeds like soybean, groundnut, and mustard, as well as nuts including cashew, almond, and walnut, have no tariff relaxations under the agreement. Vegetables like potato, onion, tomato, garlic, and peas, as well as pulses such as chickpea, black gram, green gram, lentils, kidney beans, and pigeon pea, remain protected from import concessions. Even flowers and spices including rose, lily, orchid, turmeric, and large cardamom have been safeguarded.
This means that these agricultural products will not enter India from the UK at cheaper rates, thereby securing farmers’ economic interests.
On the export front, the UK has agreed to reduce import duties to zero on a wide range of Indian agricultural products, including fruits, dry fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, flowers, and medicinal plants. This will enable the UK consumers to purchase Indian farm produce at more competitive prices, expanding market opportunities and boosting Indian exports.
Dairy products have also been included under this zero-duty import category, further enhancing export potential.
Also Read: India’s Biostimulant Sector Faces Regulatory Breakdown: BASAI Calls for Urgent Government Action
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