While any tariff reductions for the grain industry have been welcomed by Grains Producers SA, chief executive officer Brad Perry said pulses, which play a major role in SA crop rotations, can have challenges accessing the Indian market.
Speaking about the recent deal made for the India-Australia free trade agreement, Mr Perry said South Australian growers welcomed the opportunity to contribute more of SA grains to help put food on household tables around the world and further assist with food security.
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"Delivering stability and certainty is vitally important for ensuring long-term growth opportunities from our trading relationship with India - especially in areas such as research and development for growing pulses and value-adding, with consumer benefits," he said.
"We also welcome Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud's comments that the Australian government will continue to work on improving market access for Australian chickpeas to India and that it's a conversation the government will continue to persevere with."
Grain Producers Australia chair Barry Large said the Australian government's announcement of outcomes from the Interim Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade agreement were a good starting point with positive signals for Australian grains.
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However, Mr Large said the government needed to continue pushing to remove trade barriers in the comprehensive negotiations, to ensure Australian grain producers realise the market's significant potential benefits, given major grains such as chickpeas and wheat missed out in the interim deal.
"We acknowledge these initial outcomes for the Australian grains industry in the IA-ECTA with Minister Tehan's leadership and the Australian Government's work pursuing these sensitive trade negotiations," he said.
"We understand this initial deal will have entry into force in the second half of 2022 and comes with the intention for Australia and India to finalise a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year to secure even broader outcomes.
"Reducing tariffs and other trade barriers for Australian grains such as chickpeas will not only open up better opportunities for Australian growers, it can also deliver real benefits for 1.3 million Indian consumers who can access our high-quality products in their daily diets."
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