India, Feb. 10 -- After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union have announced a landmark trade agreement that could reshape the trajectory of India's agri-food exports and food processing sector. Beyond its geopolitical symbolism, the pact holds tangible implications for exporters, domestic producers, supply chains, and innovation in food manufacturing. As tariffs are reduced and market access expands, the Indian food and beverage (F&B) industry stands at a critical inflection point, one that promises unprecedented opportunities but also exposes structural vulnerabilities.

The European Union is already India's largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 136 billion in 2024-2...