EU-India Trade Deal Set to Slash Tariffs on Wine, Olive Oil and Processed Foods

A free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) could lead to substantial tariff cuts on a wide range of food and beverage products, reshaping trade between the two regions and increasing market access for producers and consumers. Once ratified by India’s Cabinet, the European Parliament and the Council, the deal is expected to eliminate tariffs worth up to €4 billion (about $4.75 billion) on EU exports.

Under the agreement, import duties on European food products like wine, spirits and beer will fall sharply — with wine tariffs dropping from historically high levels to around 20%–30%, spirits to about 40%, and beer tariffs reduced to roughly 50%.

Other categories set to benefit include olive oil, margarine and other vegetable oils, whose levies may be eliminated entirely over a phased timeline, and processed foods such as bread, pasta, biscuits, pastries, chocolate and pet food, which are slated to become tariff-free. These cuts are expected to significantly widen consumer choice and potentially reduce retail prices in India.

The deal also aims to expand market access for Indian food exports — such as spices, tea and specialty products — into the EU, enhancing opportunities for Indian producers to tap into European markets. Additional cooperation on harmonised food safety standards and labelling may further simplify cross-border trade, though exporters will need to adapt to the EU’s stringent regulations.

While some European agricultural sectors such as dairy and sugar were excluded to protect sensitive domestic industries, broader tariff reductions are seen as a major step toward bolstering bilateral food and beverage trade and strengthening economic ties between India and the EU.