Preferred position for New Zealand apples in India

10-2-2026

New Zealand has managed to come to extremely favourable free-trade agreements with India for its own fruit exporters. Up till now, India has operated a 50% import tariff, irrespective of the origin of the apples. From now on, between 1 April and 31 August, for apples from New Zealand, a 25% import tariff applies. For India which is situated in the northern hemisphere, this is the end of the sales season of its own apples. For New Zealand, on the contrary, due to its situation in the southern hemisphere, this is the peak of its export season. 

The reduced import tariff only applies to apples with a minimum price of 1.25 US Dollars (€ 1.07) per kilo. In the first year, the reduced import tariff applies to a quotum of 32,500 tonnes, rising to 45,000 tonnes in the sixth year. For apples with a lower price than 1.25 US Dollars or volumes that are supplied on top of this quotum, the tariff used for all other suppliers of 50% applies. However, this percentage will fall over the course of the years, to 16.5% over 10 years.

The import tariff is also halved for pears and run down to 16.5% over 10 years. For pears, however, no quotum or seasonal limitations apply. (Source: EFM/New Zealand Apples & Pears)