No boost for dairy in EU-India deal

India is said to be a 'strategically important' market for the dairy sector. File photo

Irish dairy industry leaders have said they are disappointed that the EU–India Free Trade Agreement struck this week offers “no early gains” for the sector.

High Indian tariffs on cheese, milk powders and dairy-based nutritional products remain unchanged, while there has been no movement on sanitary, technical or product approval requirements. India treated dairy as a highly sensitive sector throughout the negotiations and offered no concessions.

Dairy Industry Ireland director, Conor Mulvihill, said the outcome was disappointing, particularly at a time when Irish dairy exports reached record levels in 2025.

However, he said the industry remained positive about the longer-term potential of engagement with India, describing it as a "strategically important" market with growing demand for high-quality food and nutrition products.

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said the deal was a positive development for the agri-food sector, particularly for spirits.

“It provides significant opportunities for our spirit drinks exports — particularly for Irish whiskey in what is both the world’s largest whiskey market and the fastest growing market for our whiskey exports,” he said.

Tariffs on Irish whiskey are set to fall from 150% to 40% over a phased period, while reductions will also apply to products such as processed foods, sheepmeat and beer.

Minister Heydon said sensitive EU agricultural sectors were protected under the agreement.