On 24 September 2025, India and Australia formalised a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products in New Delhi. The MRA, signed under the umbrella of their Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA), commits both countries to mutually recognise organic standards and certification systems.
Under the agreement, India and Australia will recognise each other’s certified unprocessed plant products, plant-based processed foods, and wine produced locally under agreed standards. India’s implementing agency is APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Australia’s is the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
India’s organic exports to Australia in FY 2024-25 amounted to USD 8.96 million (≈2,781 metric tonnes), led by items like psyllium husk, coconut milk, and rice. The MRA is intended to reduce compliance barriers, streamline trade, and boost farmer incomes in the organic sector.
This MRA is significant for India’s ambitions in organic agriculture and export competitiveness. It aligns with the push for value addition in agriculture, reduces regulatory friction in accessing foreign organic markets, and strengthens the credibility of India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). This could encourage more farmers to adopt organic practices, knowing that certifications will be internationally respected.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India ensure that smaller organic producers and certifiers are capacitated to meet MRA standards so that the benefits of reduced barriers accrue broadly and not only to larger exporters?
Follow the full news here: India and Australia sign Mutual Recognition Arrangement (Organic Products)
