Indian farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) require stronger policy support to fully tap export opportunities in European markets, industry stakeholders have said, highlighting challenges related to compliance, logistics, and market access.
Exports to the European Union offer significant potential, particularly for agri-products, processed foods, textiles, and handicrafts. However, stringent quality standards, certification requirements, and sustainability norms continue to pose barriers for many small exporters.
Farmers and SMEs often face difficulties in meeting the EU’s regulatory frameworks, including traceability, pesticide limits, and packaging standards. The lack of awareness, high certification costs, and limited access to testing infrastructure further restrict their ability to compete effectively.
Logistics inefficiencies, including high freight costs and longer transit times, also impact competitiveness, especially for perishable goods. Exporters have called for improved cold chain infrastructure and better connectivity to ports to reduce delays and losses.
Industry bodies have urged the government to introduce targeted incentives, streamline compliance procedures, and expand capacity-building initiatives to help smaller players align with international standards. Enhanced access to finance and export credit is also seen as crucial.
With Europe emerging as a key high-value market, experts believe that a coordinated policy push could enable Indian farmers and SMEs to scale up exports, diversify markets, and achieve more sustainable growth in the global trade landscape.