Global demand for Indian organic food products on constant rise

New Delhi: The demand for Indian organic food products is on constant rise around the world as Country exported organic products worth $515 million in financial year 2017-18. It was up 39 per cent compared to the export worth $370 million in Financial year 2016-17. The total volume of export during 2017-18 was 4.58 lakh Metric Tonne .

The organic food export realization was around Rs. 3453 crore ($515 million). Organic products are exported to countries such as USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, Japan etc.

"The major demands under the organic product category are for Oil seeds, Cereals & Millets, Sugar, Fruit juice concentrates, Tea, Spices, Pulses, Dry fruits, Medicinal plant products etc. Many new countries like Israel, Vietnam, Mexico are also taking interest recently. The equivalency granted by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products and the conformity assessment granted by USDA has played pivotal role in increased export," said Dr Tarun Bajaj, General Manager. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA.

"India is also negotiating with Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan for equivalency with NPOP. In addition the traceability system, Tracenet established by APEDA for certification and export of organic products also helps India to maintain the credibility and traceability of certified products." said Dr Tarun Bajaj,

"Under National Programme for Organic Production, area under organic certification during 2017-18 was 3.56 million Hectare. This includes 1.78 million hectare cultivable area and another 1.78 million Hectare for wild harvest collection," said Dr Bajaj.