new delhi: India and Australia on Wednesday signed an agreement to facilitate trade of organic products including wine and agri produce in each other’s countries, the government said on Wednesday.
Under the mutual recognition arrangements (MRA), both will recognise each other’s organic standards and certification systems.
“The MRA...is expected to boost India’s organic exports further by reducing barriers, ensuring certification equivalence, and supporting more organic products and producers,” the Commerce ministry said.
The implementing agencies for the MRA are India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Government of Australia.
The arrangement covers organic products that are grown and processed in the two countries. It includes unprocessed plant products, processed foods and wine, it said.
With organic produce commanding 30-40 per cent higher prices, farmers benefit from improved livelihoods, the ministry added.
Sunil Barthwal, Secretary Commerce, emphasised the role of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) in setting rigorous standards for India’s organic ecosystem and keeping India’s organic sector transparent and credible.
He further stressed the need for labelling, penalties and regulatory measures to ensure strict separation of organic from non-organic produce, while also calling for greater capacity building, training and advisory support for farmers.
Tom Black, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia, noted that Australia leads with 53 million hectares of organic farmland and highlighted trade opportunities in cereals, tea, spices, beverages and wines.
India’s organic exports to Australia reached USD 8.96 million in 2024-25.