K2RULEZ
Elite Member
Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:09:35 IST
By Gurpreet Singh Nibber
Australia's ruling has dealt a blow to Punjab’s Basmati exporters, who will now have to share the Australian market with their Pakistani counterparts.
India’s bid to secure exclusive recognition for Basmati in Australia through a certification trademark has suffered a setback, with the Australian Federal Court rejecting the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’s (APEDA) plea.
The ruling has dealt a blow to Punjab’s Basmati exporters, who will now have to share the Australian market with their Pakistani counterparts. Punjab alone accounts for about 40% of the country’s Basmati export basket, according to industry estimates.
APEDA's appeal for trademark
APEDA had argued that Basmati grown in India enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) status and therefore sought recognition of “Basmati” as a certification trademark in Australia. However, the Australian court turned down its plea, stating that GI tagging in Australia, New Zealand and Canada was limited only to “champagne”.
The agricultural authority had first filed the trademark application in 2019, citing the substantial presence of Indian Basmati in the Australian market. Between 1988 and August 2018, the volume of Indian Basmati sold through Australian retail outlets was estimated at 306,095 tonnes, valued at $380 million. In contrast, Pakistani sales were $44.12 million.
www.hindustantimes.com
By Gurpreet Singh Nibber
Australia's ruling has dealt a blow to Punjab’s Basmati exporters, who will now have to share the Australian market with their Pakistani counterparts.
India’s bid to secure exclusive recognition for Basmati in Australia through a certification trademark has suffered a setback, with the Australian Federal Court rejecting the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’s (APEDA) plea.
The ruling has dealt a blow to Punjab’s Basmati exporters, who will now have to share the Australian market with their Pakistani counterparts. Punjab alone accounts for about 40% of the country’s Basmati export basket, according to industry estimates.
APEDA's appeal for trademark
APEDA had argued that Basmati grown in India enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) status and therefore sought recognition of “Basmati” as a certification trademark in Australia. However, the Australian court turned down its plea, stating that GI tagging in Australia, New Zealand and Canada was limited only to “champagne”.
The agricultural authority had first filed the trademark application in 2019, citing the substantial presence of Indian Basmati in the Australian market. Between 1988 and August 2018, the volume of Indian Basmati sold through Australian retail outlets was estimated at 306,095 tonnes, valued at $380 million. In contrast, Pakistani sales were $44.12 million.
Australia rejects India's plea to trademark Basmati rice citing Pakistan's sales
Australia's ruling has dealt a blow to Punjab’s Basmati exporters, who will now have to share the Australian market with their Pakistani counterparts.
www.hindustantimes.com
