South Asia is a high-growth market for Australian agrifood exporters. The series of workshops will be hosted by Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to South Asia, Todd Miller.

Over the course of the workshop series, Austrade will be supported by key partners, including Investment NSW, Global Victoria and the Department of State Development for South Australia, as well as industry partners, Infant Nutrition Council, Australian Cotton Shippers Association, Wool Producers Australia, Australia Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), Australian Organic Limited (AOL), Grains Australia, Grain Trade Australia, and Australian Grape & Wine.

The workshops offer a strategic platform for Australian businesses with capabilities across grains, pulses, infant nutrition, packaged and organic foods and wine to explore and expand into one of the world's fastest growing regions. By participating, you will:

• gain market intelligence and actionable insights across key South Asian markets
• understand pathways to market and effective export strategies
• identify and navigate agrifood opportunities
• build strategic connections with government and industry stakeholders
• leverage Austrade’s expertise and on-the-ground insights
• learn from market experiences and success stories
• strengthen your South Asia market entry and growth strategy

View the program here to find a session near you.  

Why South Asia?

South Asia is experiencing an economic momentum, with India’s gross domestic product (GDP), adding the equivalent of New Zealand’s GDP to its own each year. The region offers significant opportunities for Australian agrifood businesses, supported by a population of almost 2 billion people, rising household incomes and accelerating urbanisation. Demand is increasing for premium food products, dairy ingredients, pulses, grains, fresh produce and processed foods as consumers seek greater variety, convenience and quality. Food security remains a key priority across the region, creating opportunities for trusted suppliers with strong capabilities in quality, safety and traceability. 

India

India's growing middle class, combined with improved market access through the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), is helping to unlock new commercial opportunities for Australian exporters. Expanding supermarket networks, food manufacturing capacity and digital commerce platforms are reshaping how food is sourced and distributed across the region. Market success is often linked to developing strong local partnerships, understanding regulatory requirements and adapting offerings to local consumer preferences. In 2024-25, Australia exported $35 billion in goods and services to India – our fifth largest export market. In 2025, more than 2,400 Australian businesses exported goods to India. Since the agreement came into force, the number of Australian exporters sending goods to India has grown by an average of 5.6% per year, outpacing the 1.7% annual growth rate recorded in the three years before ECTA. 

Bangladesh

Australia’s exports to Bangladesh have grown significantly, driven by booming student numbers and Ready-Made Goods (RMG) sector inputs. Merchandise trade remains highly concentrated among exporters, highlighting scope for broader and deeper sectoral engagement.

Bangladesh’s resilient GDP growth, large and youthful population (66% at working age) indicates strong economic opportunity in the face of recent political instability, energy shortages and import restrictions which have dampened short-term confidence. Bangladesh has a population 1.7 times that of Vietnam, in less than half the geographic land size. 

Sri Lanka

With a population of 21 million people and a land mass similar in size to Tasmania, Sri Lanka is a country growing in economic importance in the South Asia region. The country is geographically positioned well along major international shipping routes and has good relationships with its regional neighbours meaning greater potential access to these markets for trade and export from the country.

• In 2024, Australian exports to Sri Lanka totalled A$1.9 billion.
• Sri Lanka is one of Australia’s largest markets for lentils and has bought up to 150k tonnes.
• Australians feature in the top 5 of Sri Lanka’s tourism source market. The tourism industry buys most of its wines, meats and temperate vegetables from Australia.