New Zealand apple industry visits indian counterparts to kickstart collaboration as part of India-New Zealand FTA
As the India-New Zealand FTA enters into force, New Zealand’s apple industry has reaffirmed its commitment to the long-term development of India’s apple sector.
At the beginning of October, New Zealand Apples and Pears (NZAPI) chief executive Danielle Adsett and Apple Action Plan project manager Lachlan McKay travelled with special agricultural trade envoy Nathan Guy for a week-long visit to India to advance plans for an India-based Centre of Excellence.
The trio met with senior government officials, industry leaders and apple growers across New Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. The delegation was supported during the visit by New Zealand High Commissioner Patrick Rata.
Meetings included India’s Horticulture Commissioner, Dr Prabhat Kumar, APEDA chairman Shri Abhishek Dev, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi, horticulture officials and local apple growers, with discussions centring on progressing the Apple Action Plan, developing a Centre of Excellence, and identifying opportunities for technical collaboration and knowledge sharing between the New Zealand and Indian apple industries.
NZAPI chief executive Danielle Adsett said the visit highlighted the strong goodwill between the two countries’ apple industries and reaffirmed the shared challenges and opportunities growers face.
“Wherever we travelled, it was clear that apples are enormously important to local communities and regional economies. We met growers and leaders who are passionate about the future of their industry and keen to work together on practical solutions,” said Adsett.
“Like New Zealand growers, Indian apple growers are navigating climate pressures, orchard productivity challenges, pest and disease management, and the need to invest in modern infrastructure. There is significant value in sharing knowledge, expertise and innovation to help address those challenges.”
The Centre of Excellence will serve as a practical demonstration and training hub for apple growers and will be supported by a Digital Centre of Excellence online.
Adsett said the Apple Action Plan reflects New Zealand’s commitment to ensuring the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) delivers practical benefits beyond market access.
“Make no mistake, in an increasingly dynamic world marketplace, this outcome is critical to our industry’s success. The FTA is about much more than trade. And our growers get that,” she said.
“New Zealand growers understand the task ahead and are excited by the opportunity. They recognise that helping India to renew its orchards does not automatically make it a direct competitor, and that a counter-seasonal and complementary supply of premium fruit can strengthen India’s consumer apple market.
“It has created a platform for genuine cooperation between our industries and an opportunity to build long-term partnerships that benefit growers and apple-growing communities in both countries.
“New Zealand’s role is not to compete with Indian growers. Our commitment is to work alongside them, sharing expertise where it can add value and supporting the long-term success of India’s apple sector.”
With strong enthusiasm for collaboration evident across government, industry and grower groups, work is now underway to progress the next phase of the Apple Action Plan and translate high-level commitments into practical outcomes on the ground.
