Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce claims that India exported organic products worth Rs. 5151 Crore (over US $ 757 million) in 2018-19, from Rs 3453 Crore in 2017-18 (US$ 515 million).
It registered an increase of about 49 per cent and the major demands under the organic product category are for flax seeds, sesame and soybean; pulses such as arhar (red gram), chana (pigeon pea); and rice, along with tea and medicinal plants, said Paban K Borthakur, Chairman of APEDA while inaugurating the Biofach India 2019 India’s largest international trade fair of organic products in Greater Noida.
“USA and European Union member-countries were the biggest buyers of organic products from India There is a growing demand from Canada, Taiwan and South Korea in recent years, Germany is one of the biggest importers of Indian organic products. Now, many new countries are also taking interest” he said.
“As per the industry estimates, India organic agricultural products market is about 8500 crores. Exports account for nearly 60% at 5150 crore while domestic market is estimated at Rs 2500 crore. Compared to international trade of about 97 billion US$ Indian market seems to be very small but it is growing very fast. “he added
APEDA proposes to extend NPOP into organic AYUSH products, organic textiles and organic cosmetics. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is a certification services program which enjoys equivalence with European Union and Switzerland and has recognition agreement with the USA.
As a result of these agreements Indian organic products are being exported to these countries without the need for recertification.” said Borthakur. “NPOP has laid the foundation of organic movement in the country and played a key role over the years to establish the credibility of India organic sector in the national and international trade“ he added.
“More than 6000 delegates comprising of Exporters, processors, retail chain industry, certification bodies and producers from India and abroad participated in the Biofach 2019, the trade Fair-cum-Exhibition to discuss and have first-hand feel of the Indian organic products including tea, spices, honey, basmati rice, coffee, cereals, dry fruits, vegetables, processed foods and medicinal plant” said Mr Borthakur.
“The demand for organic Agri products is on constant increase worldwide as Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides”, he underlined
As on 31st March 2019, total area under organic certification process was 3.56 million hectare and among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered the largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. During 2016, Sikkim had achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 76000 ha) under organic certification” The Chairman said.
“India produced around 2.67 million MT (2018-19) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Oil Seeds, Sugar cane, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, Pulses, Medicinal Plants, Tea, Fruits, Spices, Dry Fruits, Vegetables, Coffee etc. The production is not limited to the edible sector but also produces organic cotton fiber and functional food products” he added.
Those present on the occasion included Dr Tarun Bajaj, General Manager, APEDA and Ms Sonia Prashar, Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director, NuernbergMesse India, Mr Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, India Exposition Mart, Mr Micheal Keasler, Agricultural counsellor, German Embassy in India and Ms Louise Luftknost and Jennifer Chang from International Organic federation.