Indian Organic Industry Seeks To Boost Exports To $1 Billion By 2014

With India’s organic exports hovering at an unsatisfactory $110 million a year, the organic producers in the country have formed an association that will seek, among other goals, to boost organic exports to $1 billion within four years. To accomplish that, the new Organic Trade Association of India (OTC) is calling for removal of certain trade restrictions and is asking the government to support the specific needs of different organic product categories. The OTA says it will tackle farm, certification, regulatory and international trade issues. Shri Siddharth, India’s secretary for commerce and industry, told industry representatives that his agency will try to work with other government departments to boost organic exports. The government needs to be aware that some organic niche products are expensive and meant for export, not for public distribution.