How to Export Organic Food from India — Complete Guide

India is the world's largest organic producer by number of farmers (over 4.4 million certified organic producers) and ranks among the top five countries by organic cultivation area. India's organic and natural food exports, particularly spices, cereals, oilseeds, and processed foods, have been growing at double-digit rates as global consumers shift towards chemical-free, sustainably produced food.

The spice segment alone — which forms the backbone of India's organic food exports — shipped $3.14 billion in 2024-25 under HS codes 0904-0910. While not all of this is certified organic, India's organic spice exports have grown significantly, driven by demand from the USA, EU, and Middle East markets for turmeric, ginger, black pepper, chilli, and cumin that meet organic certification standards.

India's Organic Food Export Landscape

India's spice exports under HS 0904-0910 (the primary organic food category) reached $3.14 billion in 2024-25, up from $2.66 billion in 2022-23 — an 18% increase over two years.

HS Code	Product Category	2024-25 Exports (USD Million)	Share
0904	Pepper, chillies, capsicum	$1,325.4	42.2%
0909	Cumin, coriander, fennel, anise	$822.2	26.2%
0910	Ginger, turmeric, saffron, curry	$561.0	17.9%
0908	Nutmeg, mace, cardamom	$201.2	6.4%
0906	Cinnamon and cassia	$13.8	0.4%
0907	Cloves	$12.5	0.4%

Beyond spices, India exports significant volumes of organic rice (HS 1006), organic sugar (HS 1701), organic oilseeds (sesame HS 1207, flaxseed), organic tea (HS 0902), and organic pulses. APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) reports that India's total organic product exports crossed $700 million in 2023-24.

Where Indian Organic Food Is in Demand

China is the largest single buyer of Indian organic food exports (primarily organic spices and oilseeds), followed by the USA, EU markets (Germany, Netherlands, UK), and Japan. The organic food export market is driven by two distinct segments: bulk organic commodities (oilseeds, rice, spices) destined for food processing industries in importing countries, and branded organic products (packaged spices, teas, snacks) for retail shelves. European markets offer the highest premiums for certified organic products but also have the strictest regulatory requirements.

Want the full country-by-country breakdown? See exact export values, growth rates, tariff rates, and market attractiveness scores for every destination in our detailed data pages. View Organic Food export data by country →

Understanding Organic Certification

India's Organic Certification Framework

NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production):

• India's national organic standard, administered by APEDA
• Accredited certification bodies (e.g., OneCert, IMO, Ecocert, INDOCERT, Lacon) inspect and certify farms and processors
• NPOP is recognised by the EU (equivalence agreement) and Switzerland — products certified under NPOP can be exported to the EU as organic without additional EU certification
• NPOP is NOT directly recognised by the USA — separate USDA NOP certification is required for the US market

PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System):

• A simpler, group-based certification for smallholder farmers
• Valid for domestic organic sales only — not accepted for export

International Organic Standards

Standard	Market	Recognition of NPOP
EU Organic Regulation (2018/848)	European Union	Recognised (equivalence)
USDA NOP (National Organic Program)	USA	NOT recognised — need separate NOP
JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards)	Japan	NOT recognised — need separate JAS
Swiss Organic Ordinance	Switzerland	Recognised

Practical implication: If you want to export organic products to both the EU and USA, you need dual certification — NPOP (for EU) and USDA NOP (for USA). Many Indian certification bodies (OneCert, IMO, Ecocert) can issue both simultaneously.

Certification Process

1. Apply to an accredited certification body
2. Conversion period — 2-3 years for land transitioning from conventional to organic (can export as "in conversion" during this period, at lower premium)
3. Annual inspection of farm, processing facility, and storage
4. Transaction certificate issued for every export shipment — this is the document your buyer and their customs authority will verify
5. Certification cost — Rs 15,000-50,000/year for small farms, more for processors/exporters

HS Code Classification

Organic food products use the same HS codes as conventional food — there is no separate HS classification for organic. The organic premium is reflected in the invoice price, not the HS code.

Code	Product	Organic Premium (over conventional)
090411	Black pepper, neither crushed nor ground	30-50%
090421	Dried chillies, neither crushed nor ground	25-40%
091030	Turmeric	40-80%
091011	Ginger, neither crushed nor ground	30-60%
090931	Cumin seeds	25-40%
100630	Milled rice (organic basmati)	30-50%
090240	Black tea (organic)	40-70%

Use the HS Code Finder to identify the exact code for your organic food product.

Quality Standards and Compliance

FSSAI Requirements

• FSSAI licence mandatory for all food exporters (turnover >Rs 12 lakh)
• FSSAI's "Jaivik Bharat" logo can be used for NPOP/PGS-India certified products
• Separate organic food regulations under FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulation, 2017)

Pesticide Residue Compliance

This is the make-or-break quality parameter for organic food exports:

• EU MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) — Set under Regulation 396/2005. Organic products are expected to have zero or near-zero detectable residues. Any residue above the default limit of 0.01 mg/kg triggers investigation.
• USDA NOP — Does not set specific MRLs for organic but requires that prohibited substances were not applied. Residue testing uses 5% of the relevant EPA tolerance as the threshold.
• Japan — Positive List system with 0.01 ppm default for unlisted pesticides

Aflatoxin and Mycotoxin Limits

Particularly critical for spices, groundnuts, and oilseeds:

• EU limits: Aflatoxin B1 ≤5 μg/kg, total aflatoxins ≤10 μg/kg for spices
• USA: FDA action level of 20 ppb total aflatoxins
• Proper drying (moisture <12%), storage, and handling are essential to prevent aflatoxin contamination

Heavy Metal Limits

• Lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic limits apply to all food exports
• Particularly strict for baby food and health food categories

Packaging and Labelling

Bulk Packaging (for processors/importers)

• Polypropylene bags with inner food-grade liners (25-50 kg)
• Jute bags with food-grade inner liners (traditional, still used for some spices)
• Vacuum-sealed bags for moisture-sensitive items (ginger, turmeric powder)
• Nitrogen-flushed bags for extended shelf life

Retail Packaging (higher value-addition)

• Stand-up pouches with zip-lock (500g, 1kg sizes for supermarket retail)
• Glass jars for premium organic spices
• Kraft paper bags for the eco-conscious organic market

Labelling Requirements

For organic claims:

• Must display the certifying body's name and certificate number
• EU: EU organic logo (green leaf) mandatory for pre-packaged organic food, along with code number of certification body and place of farming (e.g., "India Agriculture")
• USA: USDA Organic seal for products with 95%+ organic content; "Made with organic [ingredient]" for 70-95% organic content
• Japan: JAS organic mark

General food labelling:

• Ingredient list (descending order by weight)
• Nutrition facts panel (format varies by market)
• Allergen declarations (14 allergens for EU, 9 major for USA)
• Net weight
• Country of origin ("Product of India")
• Best before / expiry date
• Storage instructions
• Lot/batch number for traceability

Pricing Strategy

Product	Conventional FOB (per kg)	Organic FOB (per kg)	Organic Premium
Turmeric (whole/finger)	$1.50-$3.00	$3.00-$5.50	60-80%
Black pepper (whole)	$4.50-$7.00	$6.50-$10.00	40-50%
Ginger (whole)	$1.80-$3.50	$3.50-$6.00	50-70%
Cumin seeds	$2.50-$4.00	$3.50-$6.00	30-50%
Chilli (whole dried)	$2.00-$4.50	$3.00-$6.50	30-50%
Moringa powder	$5.00-$10.00	$8.00-$18.00	50-80%
Organic basmati rice	$0.80-$1.20	$1.20-$2.00	40-60%

The organic premium is real and consistent across markets. However, the premium is only accessible with proper certification — without a valid organic certificate and transaction certificate, the product is sold as conventional regardless of farming practice.

Logistics

Shipping

• Ocean freight for regular commercial volumes (containers)
• Temperature-controlled containers for certain products (fresh ginger, fresh turmeric)
• Air freight for high-value items (saffron, fresh organic produce)

Key Ports

• Cochin (Kerala) — Primary for spices (pepper, cardamom, ginger)
• JNPT Mumbai — For consolidated shipments
• Tuticorin — For Tamil Nadu origin spices
• Mundra — For Rajasthan/Gujarat origin (cumin, coriander, fennel)

Transit Times

• Cochin to EU ports: 16-22 days via Suez
• JNPT to USA East Coast: 28-35 days
• Mundra to UAE: 4-6 days
• Air freight to any destination: 1-3 days

Freight Costs (Indicative)

• 20-ft container to EU: $1,500-$3,000
• 20-ft container to USA: $2,500-$4,500
• 20-ft container to UAE: $800-$1,500
• Air freight: $3-$6 per kg

Buyer Finding Strategies

The organic food export market is relationship-driven and certification-dependent. Key channels for finding international organic buyers include:

• BioFach (Nuremberg, February) — The world's largest organic trade fair, attracting over 3,500 exhibitors and 50,000 trade visitors. APEDA sponsors an India Pavilion and reimburses stall costs for registered exporters.
• Natural Products Expo West (Anaheim, March) and Natural Products Expo East (Philadelphia, September) — Critical for the US organic market.
• Gulfood (Dubai, February) and SIAL (Paris, October) — For Middle Eastern and European organic buyers.
• B2B platforms — Register on APEDA's virtual trade fair platform, Alibaba, TradeIndia, and specialty organic directories such as Organic-Bio.com and IFOAM's global directory.
• Indian embassy commercial sections — Request buyer introductions through the Trade Promotion Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. Many embassies maintain organic food importer databases for their respective countries.

Shelf Life Considerations

• Whole spices: 2-3 years (if stored properly, moisture <12%)
• Ground spices: 12-18 months (lose potency faster)
• Fresh produce: 7-21 days (requires cold chain)

Documentation

1. Commercial Invoice
2. Packing List
3. Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
4. Certificate of Origin (CEPA for UAE, GSP for EU)
5. Organic Certificate (NPOP/NOP/JAS as applicable)
6. Transaction Certificate — Issued by certifying body for EACH export shipment (buyer-specific)
7. Phytosanitary Certificate (from Plant Quarantine, DPPQS)
8. FSSAI Licence Copy
9. Lab Analysis Report (pesticide residues, aflatoxins, heavy metals, moisture)
10. Health Certificate (for some markets)
11. Fumigation Certificate (ethylene oxide-free fumigation for organic — phosphine-based)
12. Shipping Bill (via ICEGATE)
13. Insurance Certificate

Critical note on fumigation: Ethylene oxide (ETO) is widely used for conventional spice fumigation but is BANNED for organic products. Organic spices must use alternative methods — steam sterilisation, phosphine fumigation, or irradiation (where permitted by the destination country). The EU's 2024 tightened limits on ETO residues (0.02 mg/kg) have led to numerous Indian spice shipment rejections.

Government Incentives

• APEDA Market Development Assistance — Subsidies for organic trade fair participation, buyer-seller meets. APEDA reimburses up to 75% of stall rental costs at approved international trade fairs such as BioFach (Nuremberg), Natural Products Expo (Anaheim), and Gulfood (Dubai)
• PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana) — Rs 50,000/hectare over 3 years for farmers converting to organic
• NPOP subsidy — Partial reimbursement of certification costs for small farmers. APEDA covers up to Rs 5 lakh of the total certification cost for farmer groups and processors
• RoDTEP — 1-3.5% of FOB value for organic food products. Specific rates: organic spices (whole) 3.2-3.5%, organic rice 2.5%, organic oilseeds 1.5-2.5%. Check the latest DGFT RoDTEP schedule for your specific HS code
• Spices Board registration — Required for spice exporters, provides quality certification support
• NABARD support — Organic farming promotion through regional rural banks. NABARD's Organic Farming Promotion Scheme offers refinancing to banks for organic farming project loans at concessional interest rates
• Export Credit — ECGC provides credit insurance for organic food exports, particularly useful for new markets. Pre-shipment and post-shipment finance available under priority sector lending at interest rates of 7-9%

Common Mistakes When Exporting Organic Food

Not getting the right certification for your target market. NPOP works for the EU but NOT for the USA. Many Indian exporters discover this after their "organic" shipment arrives in the US and cannot be sold as organic. Get USDA NOP certification upfront if targeting America.

Contamination from neighbouring conventional farms. Organic farms must have buffer zones from conventional fields. Spray drift from neighbouring farms can cause pesticide residue in your organic crop. This is the #1 reason for organic decertification.

Ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination. The EU's strict ETO limits have caused massive rejection of Indian spice shipments since 2020. Even trace ETO from facility fumigation or cross-contamination can trigger rejection. Dedicate separate storage for organic products.

Not issuing Transaction Certificates (TCs). Every organic export shipment requires a Transaction Certificate from your certifying body, specifying buyer, quantity, and product. Without a TC, the buyer cannot sell the product as organic in the destination market.

Ignoring traceability. Organic certification requires full traceability from farm to fork — which farm, which lot, which processing batch, which storage facility. Mixed or untraceable product loses its organic status.

Mixing organic and conventional in the same facility without segregation protocols. If your processing unit handles both organic and conventional products, you must have documented cleaning procedures between runs, dedicated storage areas, and clear labelling at every stage. Certification bodies audit this specifically, and any evidence of commingling results in decertification of the entire batch.

Not planning for the 2-3 year conversion period. Many new exporters assume they can start exporting organic immediately. The conversion period from conventional to certified organic farming is 2-3 years. During this period, produce can only be marketed as "in conversion" at a lower premium (10-15% above conventional, versus 30-80% for fully certified organic). Plan your business model to sustain through the conversion years.

Key Takeaways

• India's spice exports (HS 0904-0910) reached $3.14 billion in 2024-25, with organic products commanding 30-80% premiums
• India has 4.4 million certified organic producers — the world's largest count
• NPOP certification is recognised by the EU but NOT by the USA — dual certification (NPOP + NOP) needed for both markets
• Transaction Certificate is mandatory for every organic export shipment
• Pesticide residue and ETO contamination are the biggest compliance risks
• Organic turmeric, ginger, and black pepper have the strongest global demand
• China ($609M), USA ($346M), and UAE ($317M) are the top markets for Indian spice exports

Next Steps

1. Identify your HS code with the HS Code Finder — organic products use the same codes as conventional
2. Get organic certification — NPOP for EU, USDA NOP for USA, both for maximum market access
3. Register with Spices Board and/or APEDA for export support
4. Check tariff rates using the Duty Calculator
5. Invest in lab testing — pesticide residues, aflatoxins, heavy metals at NABL-accredited labs
6. Explore market demand with the Market Finder to see which organic products are in demand
7. Attend BioFach (Nuremberg, Germany) — the world's largest organic trade fair, held annually in February

India's organic food export potential is enormous. With the world's largest organic farmer base, competitive costs, and recognition of NPOP by the EU, Indian organic producers are well-positioned to capture a growing share of the $200+ billion global organic food market.