April 30, 2009
India reopens market to Australian dairy products
India and Australia have agreed to resume the trade of Australian milk products for the first time since imports were suspended in 2003.
India suspended imports of Australian dairy products after the government changed its importing requirements in late 2003.
Australian dairy exports to India were worth around US$6 million annually in 2003, and that is expected to grow once trade resumes.
Australian trade minister Simon Crean said the industry could also expect to gradually seek a share of other Indian dairy markets such as cheese, which is currently worth US$4 million and growing at 100 percent per year.
India's changing demographics, especially its growing middle-class and urbanisation creates potential for trade growth, Crean said.
India has also approved a new system for the health certification of Australian milk products developed by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), which will help both countries to trade standard and quality milk products.
The growing agricultural relationship between Australia and India has led to the resumption of trade, and may further benefit ongoing cooperation on mutual trade issues, Crean said.
