The Indian government has introduced mandatory certification procedures for organic exports under the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP). According to a public notice by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), products will only qualify as ‘organic’ if accompanied by a Transaction Certificate (TC) issued by an accredited certification body under the NPOP of the Department of Commerce.
The initiative aligns with India’s target of achieving $2 billion in organic food exports by 2030. To be certified for export, these products must be produced, processed, packaged, and labelled according to NPOP standards. The revised edition of the NPOP standards will take effect 180 days from January 5, 2025, further reinforcing the regulatory framework.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an arm of the commerce ministry, has revised the NPOP regulations to make them more accessible to farmers, aiming to bolster India’s organic food exports. These standards align with international guidelines governing the trade of organic products, ensuring compatibility in global markets.
India’s organic food exports have shown significant growth. During the April-November period of the current fiscal year, exports surged by 40% to $456 million, compared to $495 million for the entire 2023-24 fiscal year. Over the last decade, exports of organic products have nearly doubled, growing from $213 million in 2012-13 to $494.80 million in 2023-24.
The country’s primary export destinations include the USA, European Union, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Australia, Middle East, and various Asian nations. Key export items include cereals, millets, processed food, tea, spices, dry fruits, sugar, medicinal plant products, pulses, coffee, oil cake/meal, and oil seeds.
To further promote organic products globally, APEDA is supporting Indian companies’ participation in ‘BioFach,’ the world’s largest organic food trade fair, scheduled to take place in Nuremberg, Germany, from February 11-14. This platform will provide Indian exporters with an opportunity to showcase their offerings and expand their reach in international markets.
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