India Signs Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Organic Products with Australia.

On 24th September 2025, India signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for organic products with Australia at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi. This agreement under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA) strengthens the strategic partnership between the two countries and aims to simplify trade in organic products by reducing regulatory barriers.

      - The MRA was signed in the presence of senior officials including Secretary Commerce – Sunil Barthwal, Chairman APEDA – Abhishek Dev, First Assistant Secretary 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.

      - The MRA will be implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), Government of India, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Government of Australia. These agencies will ensure compliance and smooth operationalization of the agreement.

Main Point :-   (i) The Government of India (GoI) is committed to making India the “Organic Food Basket of the World”. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) has played a key role in setting transparent and credible standards for India’s organic system, facilitating trust and compliance under the MRA.

      (ii) 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. The MRA is expected to further enhance Indian exporters’ access to Australia’s high-value organic market.

(iii) The MRA covers organic products grown and processed in the jurisdictions of India and Australia, including unprocessed plant products (excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse crops), processed foods composed of one or more plant-origin ingredients, and wine. This ensures recognition of organic standards across both countries.
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