India and Australia officially signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products, a landmark development set to significantly boost organic trade and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. The arrangement, signed at Vanijya Bhavan, is a direct outcome of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA).
The implementing agencies for the MRA are the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australia.
Scope and Benefits
The MRA reflects the mutual trust and confidence India and Australia place in each other’s organic standards and certification systems. By ensuring certification equivalence, the arrangement will simplify compliance requirements, open new opportunities for organic farmers, and support exporters.
The Arrangement covers a broad range of products, including:
- Unprocessed plant products (excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse crops).
- Processed foods made from one or more ingredients of plant origin. This includes processed organic ingredients sourced from third countries, provided they are processed in either India or Australia before being exported to the other country.
- Wine.
India’s organic exports to Australia reached USD 8.96 million in FY 2024-25, with key exports being psyllium husk, coconut milk, and rice. This MRA is expected to further boost these exports by reducing trade barriers.
Focus on Quality and Integrity
The Secretary Commerce emphasized the central role of India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) in ensuring the transparency and credibility of the sector. He stressed that organic products must be certified organic and called for strict regulatory measures, including clear labeling and penalties, to ensure the absolute separation of organic from non-organic produce.
“Organic products must not be so-called organic but certified organic, with every stakeholder in the chain taking pride in maintaining that integrity,” he said. He noted that organic produce commands 30-40% higher prices, directly benefiting farmers’ livelihoods.
Australia’s DAFF appreciated India’s rapidly growing organic sector, highlighting trade opportunities for India in cereals, tea, spices, beverages, and wines. With the MRA, the Government of India reaffirms its commitment to making India the Organic Food Basket of the World.