Tuesday, 11 November 2025 12:25

Dairy dilemma

Written by Milking It

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OPINION: Last week India's powerful Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in the country for another round of negotiations on a free trade deal.

One word that Goyal used frequently during his public comments was 'sensitivities'.

With NZ dairy farmers and exporters waiting with bated breath to know either if or when they can export more products to India, Goyal's comments provided little comfort.

It's clear that Goyal, a senior member of the ruling BJP in India, has one eye on the 80 million farmers and their families who depend on the Indian dairy sector for their livelihoods.

Upsetting such a large base of voters would be political suicide for Goyal and the party. So dairy shouldn't have its hopes too high when the FTA is finalised.

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