India and Australia on Wednesday signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products, a step expected to boost trade and open new avenues for farmers and exporters in both countries.
The agreement was signed at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, and Australia’s First Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Tom Black. Senior officials, including Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce Petal Dhillon, FSSAI Advisor Dr. Alka Rao, and Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to India Nick McCaffrey, also attended the ceremony.
The implementing agencies for the MRA are the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and DAFF, Government of Australia.
The arrangement covers unprocessed plant products (excluding seaweed, aquatic plants and greenhouse crops), processed foods of plant origin—including certified organic ingredients sourced from third countries—and wine.
Commerce Secretary Barthwal underlined the role of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) in maintaining rigorous standards and transparency in India’s organic sector. He stressed the importance of certified organic produce, robust labelling, and penalties to prevent mixing with non-organic items. With organic products fetching 30-40% higher prices, he said, farmers’ incomes would significantly improve.
Australia’s Tom Black lauded India’s fast-growing organic industry and said there was scope for enhanced trade in cereals, tea, spices, beverages and wines. He pointed out that Australia leads the world with 53 million hectares of organic farmland.
India’s organic exports to Australia touched USD 8.96 million in FY 2024-25, with a volume of 2,781.58 metric tonnes, led by psyllium husk, coconut milk and rice.
Officials said the MRA reflects mutual confidence in each other’s standards and certification systems, while easing compliance burdens. The government has projected the arrangement will further boost exports and reinforce India’s vision of becoming the “Organic Food Basket of the World.”