The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) opens a new frontier for India’s agricultural and processed food exports — not just through tariff-free access, but by unlocking entry into some of the world’s most discerning, high-income markets. Comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, the EFTA bloc values quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing as much as competitive pricing.
For Indian exporters, this means the challenge extends far beyond customs concessions — it’s about mastering the language of global premium demand. Success will hinge on traceability, innovation, compliance, and branding that resonate with European consumers. TEPA, therefore, is not merely a trade facilitator but a test of India’s readiness to evolve from a price-driven exporter to a value-led food economy — one that competes on quality, credibility, and consistency in the world’s most exacting markets.
The recently launched India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is more than a trade pact — it’s a gateway for Indian agricultural and food exporters to some of the world’s most affluent and quality-conscious markets. Comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, the EFTA bloc offers high purchasing power, stable demand, and a deep appreciation for premium and sustainably sourced food products.
Through this landmark agreement, India secures tariff concessions and improved market access across a wide spectrum of agricultural and processed food categories — from grains, spices, and tea to ready-to-eat and health-oriented products. It empowers Indian exporters to compete more effectively in markets that prize authenticity, traceability, and clean-label nutrition.
EFTA’s imports of agri and processed food products have grown steadily to reach US$ 25.6 billion in 2024, reflecting a 5-year CAGR of 6.2%. This sustained expansion underscores the region’s reliance on global suppliers to meet consumer demand — a trend that aligns perfectly with India’s growing production capacity, product diversification, and export competitiveness.
Interestingly, processed food imports account for nearly half of this value at around US$ 11.8 billion (46% of total EFTA agri imports) and a similar 5-year CAGR of 5.8%. Switzerland and Norway dominate imports, with shares of 64.6% and 31.4% respectively. Liechtenstein has not been included in this analysis due to unavailability of data.
In essence, the TEPA opens not just new markets — but new possibilities — for Indian agri-food exports to move up the global value chain, from commodity to brand, and from access to influence.
Now let us look at the product-wise break up of imports by EFTA countries. Beverages, spirits & vinegar (HS ’22) is the leading category with a share of 14.2% in 2024, followed by Edible fruits and nuts (HS ’08, 10%); animal/veg. fats and oils (HS ’15, 9.8%); miscellaneous edible preparations (HS ’21, 7.5%) and Coffee, tea, mate & spices (HS ’09, 7.3%). Over this five-year period, cocoa and cocoa preparations have shown the fastest CAGR of 12.9%; followed by animal/vegetable fats & oils (12.2%) and coffee, tea, mate & spices (11.3%).
The key imported segments by EFTA countries at the 6-digit level include coffee (HS 090111) and wine (HS 220421) at US$ 1.3 billion each. These are followed by fats and oils of fish (HS 150420) at US$ 1.1 billion and food preparations (HS 210690) at US$ 1 billion.
Top F&B imports by EFTA countries (6-digit level)
Source: Trade Map, ITC.
When it comes to import sources, the top 10 exporting countries account for around 63.2% of EFTA’s total imports. With the exception of Brazil, the US, and the UK, the leading suppliers are primarily within Europe. Italy is the largest exporter to the region with a 12.1% share, followed by Germany (11.8%), France (9.6%), the Netherlands (7%), and Spain (6.9%).
Interestingly, a number of smaller, non-traditional exporters have demonstrated impressive momentum in recent years — Belarus (CAGR 17%), Morocco (15.8%), Mexico (15%), Colombia (14%), and Poland (13.2%).
This evolving trade pattern indicates that non-European countries are gradually strengthening their foothold in EFTA markets. For emerging economies like India, this represents a timely opportunity to expand their export presence — particularly under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which provides tariff-free access and a more predictable framework for trade growth.
India’s exports to EFTA reached around US$ 183.9 million in 2024, placing it at rank 26. Currently, the penetration of Indian F&B products is very low, with a share of around 0.7% and 5-year CAGR of 5%.
India’s F&B exports are led by coffee, tea, mate and spices (US$ 86.5 million); Edible fruits and nuts (US$ 21.9 million); Cereals (US$ 17.6 million); Prepns of vegetables, fruits and nuts (US$ 11.9 million) and Fish and Crustaceans (US$ 8.9 million). An overview of top categories and their performance is as below:
India’s top exported F&B categories to EFTA countries
Given the current market share and growth patterns, there is strong potential in categories like Misc. edible preparations; Edible vegetables, roots & tubers; Coffee, tea, mate and spices and prepns of vegetables, fruits and nuts; considering good growth and currently low market penetration.
Some of the prominent agri sectors that have been identified for export growth by India to EFTA countries are as ennumerated below (source: PIB):
Switzerland and Norway are high-value markets for exotic and tropical fruits. With TEPA tariff elimination, India’s mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, and bananas can capture market share in premium retail chains. Already, India exports fresh grapes which is India top 5 exports product to EFTA countries valued at US$ 2.58 million and tariff eliminated up to 272 CHF/100 kg.
Indian exporters can also target niche products such as jackfruit and custard apple, aligned with rising European demand for vegan and plant-based foods.
Vegetables like okra, green beans, and onions also gain traction. With growing demand for year-round imports in EFTA, India’s counter-seasonal supply advantage can be maximized.
With tariff concessions, India gains can a competitive edge over exporters like Italy, Thailand, and Pakistan, enhancing the marketability of high-quality Basmati and Non-Basmati rice, with current (2024) exports to EFTA countries valued at US$ 3.91 million.
India already accounts for over 70% of agri exports to EFTA through guar gum. TEPA locks in duty-free access, providing certainty for this industrially critical commodity (used in pharmaceuticals, food processing, and oil exploration). Expansion into derivatives like modified guar gum could be the next step.
EFTA countries viz., Switzerland, Norway and Iceland together import coffee at US$ 175 million from the world and India exports coffee at US$ 6.16 million in 2024 and EFTA has offered import duty of 0% on all the HS lines pertaining to coffee.
Cashew kernels, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, and chili products gain enhanced access. Specialty and premium teas (Darjeeling, Assam) already enjoy reputation in Europe; tariff elimination ensures sustained competitiveness against African and Latin American exporters.
Frozen shrimp and seafood represent one of the most lucrative areas. Norwegian consumers in particular demand high-quality frozen and processed seafood. Norway provides an exemption of up to 13.16% duty on fish and shrimp feed, boosting the competitiveness of Indian fish feed and raw materials, while Iceland eliminates tariffs of up to 10% on frozen, prepared, and preserved shrimps, prawns, squid, and cuttlefish, and up to 55% on fish feed, further enhancing market access.
Switzerland introduces zero duty on fats and oils of fish (other than liver oil), opening additional avenues for Indian exporters. With TEPA’s framework, India is poised to increase its marine product exports, including beyond frozen shrimps, with projections estimating a rise to USD 3.50 million in the coming years, strengthening its position in these affluent markets.
Processed agricultural products (biscuits, confectionery, sauces, malt extracts, jams, fruit juices) are included in EFTA’s tariff cuts. India’s packaged food industry can use TEPA to establish a stronger retail presence. Coupled with regulatory recognition of Indian food safety standards, brands can gain shelf space in premium Swiss and Norwegian supermarkets.
The India–EFTA TEPA is not just a trade pact; it is a strategic bridge for Indian agriculture to global premium markets. By securing tariff-free access for a wide range of agri and processed food exports — from mangoes and millets to shrimp and spices — the agreement empowers Indian farmers, SMEs, and food processors to move up the value chain.
At the same time, India has smartly safeguarded sensitive domestic sectors like dairy while allowing selective imports that enhance consumer choice and technology infusion.
However, access does not guarantee acceptance. The EFTA region represents one of the world’s most high-income and quality-driven consumer markets, where tariff preferences are only the first step. Competing here requires deep alignment with exacting standards on food safety, traceability, packaging, sustainability, and ethical sourcing — factors that increasingly shape purchasing decisions among European importers and end consumers.
For India, therefore, the opportunity under TEPA lies not just in selling more, but in selling better — by building trusted brands, demonstrating provenance and quality, and positioning Indian agri-food products as part of the global premium value chain. Success in EFTA will demand a shift from cost competitiveness to value competitiveness, reinforcing India’s identity as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainable, and differentiated food products to discerning European markets.
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