Exporting organic products worth Rs 5,151 crore for FY 2018-19, India peaks up registering increase of about 49%

New Delhi, October 31: While India seems to be trapped in the economic slowdown observing a growth of 5 per cent, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has revealed that the nation, in FY 2018-19 exported organic products worth Rs 5,151 crore, against Rs 3,453 crore in the previous year, registering an increase of about 49 per cent.

 

 

"India produced around 2.67 million tonnes of certified organic products which include all varieties of food products namely oil seeds, sugar cane, cereals and 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," APEDA Chairman Paban Borthakur stated.

 

The APEDA is a statutory body under the Commerce Ministry which also said that the major demands under the organic product category were for flax seeds, sesame and soybean; pulses such as red gram, chana; and rice, along with tea and medicinal plants.

"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", APEDA Chairman added.

 

He said the demand for organic agricultural products is constantly increase world-wide as organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. As on 31 March 2019, total area under organic certification process was 3.56 million Hectare.

 

The total volume of export during 2018-19 was 6.14 lakh MT. The organic food export realisation was around Rs 5,151 crore. Organic products are exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan.

 

To further boost demand of Organic agri products in India and abroad, APEDA will be showcasing India's strength as major hub for organic food products, ingredients, commodities and processed food at the three-day Biofach India 2019, a trade fair for organic food to be held in Greater Noida from November 7-9.