Global demand for Indian Organic food products on constant increase

The demand for Indian organic food products is on constant increase world wide as India exported organic products worth $ 515 million in financial year 2017-18, from $ 370 million in 2016-17, say officials from Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Registering an increase of 39%, the total volume of export during 2017-18 was 4.58 lakh tonne, they added.
“The major demands under the organic product category are for oil seeds, cereals & millets, sugar, fruit juice concentrates, tea, spices, pulses, dry fruits, medicinal plant products etc. Though USA, European Union member countries and Canada were the biggest buyers of organic products, many new countries like Israel, Vietnam, Mexico are also taking interest recently,” says Tarun Bajaj, GM, APEDA.

He added that the equivalency granted by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products and the conformity assessment granted by USDA has played pivotal role in increased export to these countries.

The organic food export realization was around Rs 3453 crore (515 million USD).

“India is also negotiating with Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan for equivalency with NPOP. In addition the traceability system, Tracenet established by APEDA for certification and export of organic products also helps India to maintain the credibility and traceability of certified products.” says Bajaj.

APEDA, a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce along with NurnbergMesse India will be showcasing India’s strength as major hub for organic food products, ingredients, commodities and processed food at the three day Biofach India 2018 trade fair for organic food to be held in New Delhi from October 25-27, says Bajaj.

The demand for organic agri products produced is on constant increase world wide as consumers were shunning the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, say officials.

Under National Programme for Organic Production, area under organic certification during 2017-18 was 3.56 million hectare. This includes 1.78 million hectare(50%) cultivable area and another 1.78 million Hectare (50%) for wild harvest collection, informed Bajaj.

Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered 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 hectare) under organic certification, says Bajaj.

More than 500 delegates comprising of exporters, processors, retail chain industry, certification bodies and producers from India and abroad will be participating in the Biofach 2018. APEDA is inviting and sponsoring more than 40 buyers from important importing countries for direct market linkages of producers with international trade.

“Entire organic agriculture fraternity comprising of organic products exporters, retailers, traders, processors, ICS management bodies, certification bodies and certified organic farmer groups will be present at the three day event showcasing wide variety of organic products being produced under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) under APEDA” he added.