First Shipment Of American Turkey Products Heads to India Post Trump Win

Washington: The inaugural shipment of American turkey products bound for India departed on Tuesday, marking a significant step forward in the trade relationship between the United States and India. This development follows India’s decision last year to lower tariffs on US turkey imports, facilitating market access for American poultry.

US Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, hailed the event as a landmark in international trade, emphasising the new opportunities it opens for American turkey producers in Virginia and beyond. 

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Virginia's poultry industry and a major step forward in US-India trade," Mark Warner remarked, expressing optimism about future collaboration between the two nations.

200 Independent Turkey Farmer To Benefit From Expanded Market Access

The shipment results from concerted efforts by both governments to establish a more accessible trade route for US turkey and poultry products. Mark Warner and several colleagues had previously urged US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to negotiate reduced tariffs, citing the long-standing barriers American poultry faced due to high tariffs in India.

Leslee Oden, CEO of the National Turkey Federation, shared enthusiasm over this new market opening, noting that US producers are eager to share high-quality, nutritious turkey with Indian consumers. John King, president of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, highlighted that nearly 200 independent turkey farmers would benefit from this expanded market access.

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Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation expressed hope for strong returns from the Indian market, stating, "Virginia turkey farmers are thrilled to offer lean, high-quality protein to India, and we’re grateful to those who made this opportunity possible."

The trade agreement, announced in September 2023, eliminated and reduced certain retaliatory tariffs on US turkey products, facilitating access to India’s expanding protein market and strengthening the agricultural trade relationship between the two nations.