India and Australia sign Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Organic Products

India and Australia have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products on 24th September 2025 at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi. The Mutual Recognition Arrangement will boost Organic Trade and will open new opportunities for the Organic stakeholders. This Arrangement demonstrates the shared commitment of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA) and strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Australia.

India and Australia sign Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Organic Products

India-Australia sign Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Organic Products

India-Australia have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products. The Mutual Recognition Arrangement will boost Organic Trade and will open new opportunities for the Organic stakeholders.

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India & Australia Mutual Recognition Arrangement will simplify compliance requirements, allow seamless movement of organic products, expand opportunities for organic farmers and shall be a major step towards making India the Organic Food Basket of the World.

This Arrangement demonstrates the shared commitment of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA) and strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Australia.

The implementing Agencies for the MRA are the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Government of Australia.

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This MRA is a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between India and Australia. The Arrangement reflects the trust and confidence our two countries place in each other’s organic standards and certification systems.

The MRA will simplify the compliance requirements and create new opportunities for the farmers and exporters.

India-Australia Arrangement Signed by

The India-Australia Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Organic Products was signed in the august presence of Secretary Commerce Sunil Barthwal, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Abhishek Dev, and First Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australian Government Tom Black.

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Joint Secretary Department of Commerce, Ms. Petal Dhillon, Advisor Standards FSSAI, Dr. Alka Rao and Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India, Nick McCaffrey witnessed the signing of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) along with other senior officers of the Department of Commerce and prominent organic exporters of India.

Organic Products of Mutual Recognition Arrangement

The India and Australia Mutual Recognition Arrangement covers organic products that are grown and processed in the jurisdictions of the Participants, including.

• Unprocessed plant products, excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse crops.
• Processed foods composed of one or more ingredients of plant origin. This includes certified organic ingredients sourced from third countries meeting domestic regulatory requirements, provided they are processed in either Australia or India and then exported to the other country.
• Wine.

India’s Organic Exports to Australia

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. Government of India is committed to make India as the Organic Food Basket of the World and the MRA is a major step in that direction, as it is expected to boost India’s Organic exports further by reducing barriers, ensuring certification equivalence, and supporting more organic products and producers.

Static Current Affairs related to Australia for upcoming exams

• Capital city: Canberra
• Largest city: Sydney (Metropolitan); Melbourne (Urban)
• National language: English
• Monarch: Charles III
• Governor-General: Sam Mostyn
• Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
• Total Population 2025 estimate: 28,054,400 (54th)
• Currency: Australian dollar ($) (AUD)