Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay met with the Indian Consul General, Dr. S. Janakiraman, in Sydney this week for discussions focused on Agtech and trade. India has expressed strong interest in the agricultural technologies currently used on Australian cotton farms, seeing potential benefits for their own cotton industry. In return, Australia is seeking improved access to the Indian market for its cotton exports.

Australian cotton growers currently benefit from a tariff-free quota of 51,000 tonnes, although the tariff on additional exports is 11%. Cotton Australia is aiming to increase this quota in the upcoming trade negotiations.

The discussions also centred around the opportunity for Australian cotton to be used in garments manufactured in India. Many Australian brands are interested in using Australian cotton to produce garments sold within the Australian market. This aligns with India’s "Five F" plan—Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, and Foreign—and presents a mutually beneficial opportunity for Australian cotton to contribute to India’s textile industry, a key sector in the country’s economic development.

Dr. Janakiraman, a PhD in entomology, was keen to discuss the pest challenges and management strategies used in both Australia and India. He also expressed interest in visiting an Australian cotton farm and gin to learn more about the industry. Cotton Australia is working to facilitate this visit.