India and Australia Sign Mutual Recognition Arrangement for
Organic Products
·
India and Australia Sign Mutual Recognition
Arrangement (MRA) for Organic Products India-Australia partnership strengthens with
Organic MRA
·
Mutual Recognition Arrangement will boost
Organic Trade and will open new opportunities for the Organic stakeholders
India
and Australia signed a Mutual
Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products on 24
September 2025 at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi, marking
a key step under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement
(ECTA).
The
MRA, implemented by APEDA
and Australia’s Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), covers
unprocessed plant products (excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse
crops), processed plant-based foods, and wine. It recognizes each other’s
organic certification systems, reducing compliance barriers and opening new
export opportunities.
Commerce
Secretary Sunil Barthwal
highlighted the role of India’s National
Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) in maintaining strict
standards and boosting farmer incomes, while DAFF’s Tom Black praised
India’s growing organic sector and trade potential in cereals, tea, spices,
beverages, and wines.
India’s
organic exports to Australia stood at USD
8.96 million in FY 2024–25, led by psyllium husk, coconut milk,
and rice. The MRA is expected to significantly expand trade, strengthen farmer
livelihoods, and advance India’s vision of becoming the “Organic Food Basket of the World.”
The
Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products between India and Australia
has been signed on 24th September 2025 at Vanijya Bhavan,
New Delhi. This Arrangement demonstrates the shared commitment of the India–Australia
Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA) and strengthens the strategic
partnership between India and Australia.
The
Arrangement was signed in the august presence of Secretary Commerce, Sunil Barthwal, Chairman,
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Sh.
Abhishek Dev, and First Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry (DAFF), Australian Government, Mr. Tom Black. Joint Secretary Department
of Commerce, Ms. Petal Dhillon, Advisor Standards FSSAI, Dr. Alka Rao and Australia's
Deputy High Commissioner to India, Mr. Nick McCaffrey witnessed the signing of the
MRA along with other senior officers of the Department of Commerce and prominent
organic exporters of India.
The
implementing Agencies for the MRA are the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India
and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Government of
Australia.
The
Mutual Recognition Arrangement covers organic products that are grown and processed
in the jurisdictions of the Participants, including:
a. Unprocessed
plant products, excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse crops;
b. Processed
foods composed of one or more ingredients of plant origin. This includes certified
organic ingredients sourced from third countries meeting domestic regulatory requirements,
provided they are processed in either Australia or India and then exported to the
other country; and
c. Wine.
This
MRA is a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between India and Australia.
The Arrangement reflects the trust and confidence our two countries place in each
other’s organic standards and certification systems. The MRA will simplify the compliance requirements
and create new opportunities for the farmers and exporters.
In
his address, Secretary Commerce, Sunil Barthwal, emphasized 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
also highlighted that organic products should not be viewed as a mere certification
but as a reflection of a comprehensive system that preserves integrity, maintains
strict standards and ensures farmers’ incomes. With organic produce commanding 30
- 40% higher prices, farmers benefit from improved livelihoods.
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. “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.
First
Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Government
of Australia, Mr. Tom Black appreciated India’s fast-growing organic sector and
the role of the Indian diaspora in increasing the organic trade between India &
Australia. He 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 FY 2024-25 with a total
export volume of 2,781.58 metric tonnes, led by psyllium husk, coconut milk and
rice. Government of India is committed to make India as the Organic Food Basket
of the World and the MRA is a major step in that direction, as it is expected to
boost India’s Organic exports further by reducing barriers, ensuring certification
equivalence, and supporting more organic products and producers.