Key Highlights
- India-Oman CEPA comes into force.
- Duty-free access for several Indian agricultural products.
- India already holds 17.8% share in Oman’s agricultural imports.
- Agricultural exports to Oman reached USD 552.85 million in 2025.
- APEDA product exports grew to USD 477 million.
- Basmati rice, cashew, honey, butter and sweet biscuits among key beneficiaries.
- Alphonso, Kesar and Dasheri mango exports gain competitiveness.
- Farmers across UP, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu expected to benefit.
New Delhi: Indian farmers and agricultural exporters are set to gain significantly as the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) comes into force, providing duty-free access for a wide range of Indian agricultural and processed food products in the Omani market.
India is already Oman’s second-largest supplier of agricultural products, accounting for nearly 17.8% of the country’s agricultural imports. The new agreement is expected to further strengthen India’s position by enhancing competitiveness and creating new export opportunities for farmers, food processors and agri-businesses.
Exports of agricultural and processed food products from India to Oman have witnessed strong growth in recent years. While overall agricultural exports have expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.13% to reach USD 552.85 million in 2025, exports of APEDA-scheduled products have grown even faster at 12.36% CAGR, reaching nearly USD 477 million.
Under the agreement, customs duties will be eliminated on several key agricultural and food products, including honey, condiments, cashew kernels, basmati rice, butter and sweet biscuits. The duty-free access is expected to improve price competitiveness and boost demand for Indian products across Oman and the wider Gulf region.
India already dominates several agricultural segments in Oman, supplying more than 94% of the country’s bovine meat imports and over 98% of its fresh egg imports. The CEPA is expected to consolidate this leadership while creating opportunities in additional product categories.
Major export products expected to benefit include basmati and parboiled rice, cashew kernels, onions, potatoes, soybean meal, sweet biscuits, butter, frozen boneless bovine meat and fertilised eggs. Mango exports, including premium varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar and Dasheri, are also expected to become more competitive due to duty-free market access.
Industry experts believe the agreement will provide a significant boost to farmers, agri-processors and exporters across major agricultural states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The India-Oman CEPA is expected to strengthen agricultural trade, increase export earnings and create new growth opportunities across India’s farm and food processing sectors.
