India’s Grapes Get Green Signal from New Zealand

In a major boost for Indian agri-exporters, New Zealand has proposed allowing the import of fresh table grapes from India for the first time. The move comes after multiple rounds of negotiations between the two nations, coinciding with progress in the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. For India’s agro-based MSME exporters, this could mark the beginning of access to a premium fruit market long dominated by suppliers from Chile and Australia.

On 11 November 2025, New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) released a draft Import Health Standard (IHS) listing India as an eligible source for grape imports, alongside Egypt. The consultation process will remain open for several weeks, after which India’s fresh table grapes are expected to be officially approved for export. Once finalised, this will allow Indian grapes to enter New Zealand directly, without the need to route through third countries. The development is part of a larger effort by both governments to deepen bilateral agri-trade, with New Zealand also seeking access for its dairy and horticultural products in India.

For Indian agro-based MSME exporters, this policy change is more than symbolic. India produces nearly 3 million tonnes of grapes annually, with Maharashtra and Karnataka accounting for over 95% of total exports. Indian grapes already enjoy strong demand in the European Union, UK, and Middle East, and the New Zealand entry adds another high-value market in the Southern Hemisphere. The New Zealand market is known for its premium pricing, strong retail standards, and predictable import regulations conditions that favour quality-driven exporters who can meet global phytosanitary and packaging requirements.

MSMEs dealing in grapes, raisins, and other fruit products should view this as a gateway to wider Asia-Pacific exports. With the New Zealand harvest season differing from India’s, exporters can supply off-season fruit when local production is low, commanding better margins. FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) and small agro-processing units can benefit by partnering with logistics and cold-chain providers to ensure freshness and compliance. Exporters should also note that MPI’s draft standard requires phytosanitary certification, pest control measures, and traceability systems verified by India’s APEDA and the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).

Entrepreneurs looking to benefit should act now. They can:

1. Register with APEDA’s Hortinet portal for grape export approval and residue testing.
   Link: https://traceability.apeda.gov.in/hortinet/Agencies/AgenciesLogin.aspx 
2. Connect with FIEO and APEDA to join trial export batches once the IHS is finalised.
3. Explore packaging and logistics partnerships for long-distance refrigerated shipments.
4. Participate in trade promotion programs under the Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) and the Market Access Initiative (MAI).
    

If implemented smoothly, this trade opening can unlock a new chapter for Indian grape exporters, particularly MSMEs and farmer collectives ready to scale globally. As India diversifies its agri-export portfolio, New Zealand’s approval sends a clear message: Indian produce is gaining international trust. For exporters, now is the time to prepare their vines and their paperwork.