In the coming months India will complete the final checks on allowing the import of Dutch apples and pears into their country after the summer harvest in September. The Minister of Economic Affairs, Dijksma, came to an agreement with the Indian Minister of Agriculture Shri Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday June 4th. In time, the export of apples and pears to India will bring in 15 million Euro.
Dutch fruit conquers the world
Dijksma: 'Dutch fruit is conquering the world. India is a great land for export. The Indian government is doing everything it can to ensure more than one billion consumers can enjoy the Dutch apples and pears after our harvest in the summer. The good quality of our products is literally bearing fruit!"
Growing export market
For the Netherlands, India is a growing, but still relatively modest export market, worth approximately 1.8 billion Euro last year. For comparison: export to China in 2014 was approximately 7.9 billion Euro. It is essential that the Dutch business community get a stronger foothold in the Indian market. Due to the Russian boycott on fruit and vegetables from the European Union, the Netherlands, together with the fruit and vegetable sector, is searching for new alternative outlets for Dutch horticulture products. India is one of the alternative markets, where there are a lot of opportunities for the Netherlands. Previously, for example, the market was achieved through exporting Dutch pears to Mexico, Brazil and China.
Open for international economic relations
For years India was practically closed to import, and trade barriers were high. With the inauguration of President Modi, India has become increasingly open to engaging in international economic relations. The visit that Minister Dijksma had in the country, along with the Prime Minister Rutte and the Minister of Foreign Trade Ploumen, shows a large improvement in trade relations, in which agriculture plays a large role. Due to urbanization and the growth of the middle class, the quality and safety of food is becoming more and more important. This increases India's willingness to pay more for high quality imported products. This change ensures that barriers to the import of agricultural products is becoming smaller and that cooperation and trade with the Netherlands is becoming easier.
