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.
The Australian trademark office rejected APEDA’s application in January 2023, arguing that since Basmati was also grown in Pakistan, India cannot be recognised as the sole producer.
{{/usCountry}}The Australian trademark office rejected APEDA’s application in January 2023, arguing that since Basmati was also grown in Pakistan, India cannot be recognised as the sole producer.
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While Pakistan’s commerce ministry welcomed the decision, APEDA challenged it before the Australian Federal Court and sought a de novo (afresh) hearing. But the court has now rejected its plea.
Both India and Pakistan export substantial quantities of premium rice to Australia. India exported around 72,500 tonnes to the oceanic country between June 2025 and May 2026, valued at ₹735 crore.
Double whammy
The ruling comes at a time when Basmati exporters from Punjab and Haryana are looking to expand into alternative overseas markets amid uncertainty over shipments through Iran’s Strait of Hormuz.
“The recent Australian court decision is certainly a challenge, but the primary focus must remain on protecting the rights and interests of Basmati farmers,” said Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president of the Basmati Exporters Association.
“Basmati is our agricultural heritage, built over generations by our farmers. We must strengthen the identity of ‘Indian-origin Basmati’ through quality, traceability, authenticity and responsible branding in international markets,” he said, adding that millers and exporters also had a role to play in protecting and promoting India’s Basmati identity.
Exporters were ready to work with APEDA to strengthen certification, branding and market protection to ensure better returns and a secure future for Basmati growers, he said.
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Another exporter said the ruling meant Indian exporters would not have an exclusive position in the Australian market. “We will be competing with Pakistani exporters in Australia,” he said.
India’s annual Basmati exports are worth around ₹60,000 crore. India has previously faced similar difficulties in securing exclusive recognition for Basmati in New Zealand and Kenya. In the European Union, its application for recognition has been pending since July 2018.