• Akshayakalpa Farms & Foods Pvt Ltd leads the organic segment in India with a value share of 11.3% in 2023, followed by Sresta Natural Bioproducts Pvt Ltd with a value share of 9.7% and B&B Organics Pvt Ltd with a share of 8.8%. 
• India ranks 12th globally in terms of market size, with a value of US$1,070.2 mn in 2023, being the 4th largest organic consumer market in the Asia Pacific region, trailing only China, Japan and Indonesia.

• Organic products in India represent 1.7% of global demand and 8.0% of the market in the Asia Pacific region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$0.7 in 2023. 
• The Indian market for organic products is projected to increase with a value CAGR of 13.1% for the forecast period 2023-2028 in 2023 constant prices with fixed USD exchange rates, reaching a value of US$1,979.0 mn by 2028.

• The Organic Packaged Food and Beverages category in India registered a value increase of 14.3% in 2023 in current prices to record a market size of US$1,070.2 million. 
• During the historic period of 2019-2023, the Organic Packaged Food category registered a CAGR of 3.8% in current prices. The category is expected to continue growing for the forecast period from 2023 to 2028, expected to reach a projected CAGR of 13.0% in constant prices.
• Organic Beverages also increased in value, growing historically at a 7.6% current CAGR. A continued increase is expected at a higher pace of 13.7% constant CAGR over the forecast period.
• Organic Packaged Food was primarily led by Organic Cooking Ingredients and Meals with a 15.3% current CAGR during the historic period. The category is expected to grow at a constant CAGR of 9.4% over the forecast period.
• Within Organic Beverages, growth was driven by Organic Hot Drinks during the historic period at a current 11.2% CAGR. For the forecast period, Organic Hot Drinks is also expected to drive growth with a projected constant CAGR of 15.4%.

• With a greater focus on health and nutrition in India, an increasing number of consumers are looking for nutritional value in the foods they consume. This is leading to demand for foods that offer something extra, such as fortification, or the addition of functional ingredients. According to Euromonitor International’s most recent Voice of the Consumer survey from January-February 2024, 69% of consumers in India look for products that contain healthy ingredients in their food and beverages, with 51% also claiming that they closely read the nutritional labels of food and beverages.
• Natural products are often perceived to offer greater health and nutritional value; therefore, consumers are paying more attention to products with this claim. Many consumers have become more concerned about their health and are keen to prevent health problems by eating and drinking “better”. Artificial and processed foods and drinks are generally seen by consumers as more harmful to health than natural products. Natural is predominantly accompanied by good source of antioxidants and immune support claims, as well as some products also carrying the organic claim.

• Akshayakalpa Farms & Foods Pvt Ltd is leading the Organic Packaged Food category with a market share of 12.8% in 2023, growing 3.5 p.p. from the previous year. The company has offered organic dairy products for 14 years, with its portfolio including organic cheese, butter, honey, bread, and eggs.
• Tata Consumer Products Ltd continued to lead Organic Beverages in 2023 with an 18.9% market share, marking a decrease of 1.5 p.p. from the previous year. The company prides itself on delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative products, including organic variants of various teas and coffees.

• Due to increasing awareness of the links between diet and health, more consumers are expected to look for better-for-you packaged foods, such as those that are lower in sugar, fat, and salt. As such, low sugar, no sugar, and no added sugar products are expected to maintain retail value growth rates over the forecast period, as consumers seek to limit their sugar intake for health reasons, and to control their weight. As with artificial sweeteners, the overconsumption of natural sweeteners can also lead to weight gain due to fructose and sugar alcohols.
• Across the forecast period, sales of Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives are set to grow, with retail sales projected to rise at a 20.1% constant value CAGR to reach US$512.9 million in 2028, the largest projected increase by CAGR within Organic Health and Wellness. In recent years, consumers have been examining their diets more closely in connection with specific health concerns and have started to be more selective about the ingredients and nutrients included in their foods. Across the forecast period, Organic Drinking Milk Products will be the leading product in the Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives landscape, reaching sales of US$296.4 million, supported by a forecast constant CAGR of 19.6%.

• As India has developed, and as its population has transitioned from rural to urban areas, there has been a corresponding shift in dietary habits, with an increased dependence on packaged food and drinks. This has resulted in significant health issues, with the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For example, according to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey from 2024, 13.4% of the population had diabetes in India, with the prevalence of childhood obesity likely to be similar. The rise in these diseases has been linked to poor dietary choices, such as the consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Consumers are therefore seeking healthier options to prevent or manage these conditions.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set July 1, 2025 as the annual enforcement date for all changes to the 2020 Food Safety and Standards (Labeling & Display) Regulations. Announced in January 2025, this ensures a minimum 180-day compliance window, giving food businesses time to adjust. Key features include clearer nutrition labeling, allergen declarations, and front-of-pack information. The move reduces packaging waste, boosts sustainability, and improves consumer transparency by ensuring labels reflect the most current safety standards.

Economy: 

• India's economy is projected to grow in 2025, with real GDP growth expected to reach 6.3%, similar to the 6.4% growth in 2024. This growth is likely driven by strong domestic demand despite global market uncertainty, increased liquidity from the reserve bank and a recent reduction in interest rates.
• Real GDP growth is expected to remain constant, reaching 6.5% in 2026 and averaging around 6.5% annually through 2028.
• Inflation closed 2024 at 4.9% and is expected to decelerate slightly to 4.2% in 2025.

Population demographics: 

• India's population reached 1,450.9 million in 2024 and is projected to increase by 0.9% to 1,463.9 million in 2025. India’s median age is lower than that for the Asia Pacific region, with 24.6% of its population aged 0-14 years old against only 7.1% aged 65+ years old in 2024. 
• The median age in India was recorded at 29.4 years in 2024, an increase of 1.4 years from 2020. 

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in India reached 24.4% of disposable income in 2024, the 7th highest among all countries, driven by improved income levels, increased financial inclusion and the introduction of new avenues for people to invest such as mutual funds.
• Consumer expenditure per capita grew by 11.2% in 2024 in current USD terms. In constant USD, it is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.0% through 2028. This growth is likely driven by increased spending on hotels and catering, although food and non-alcoholic beverages is projected to remain the largest consumer spending category.
• Disposable income per capita was US$2,212 in 2024. It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.4% through 2028, outpacing the Asia Pacific average.

¹ Health and Wellness Definition: Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products.

The above definition and more can be referenced from the definitions table at the end of the report.

² Economic and Demographic Data has been updated to reflect final 2024 estimates, therefore using 2024 as the base year for exchange rates and prices. 

³ Historic current prices and forecast constant 2024 prices.

Top 5 Cities By Population

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Top 5 Export Commodities To India

Note : Total organics is the sum of all exports in a particular year 

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Agency(s) Contact Information:

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
3rd Floor, NCUI Building 3
Siri Institutional Area, August Kranti Marg, (Opp. Asiad Village),
New Delhi - 110 016, India
Phone: 91-11-41486013 /20863919 /20867008 /20867007
Email: headq@apeda.gov.in

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India 
Jaivik Bharat (FSSAI regulatory portal)

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

Food Safety and Standards (Organic Food) Regulation, 2017​​​​​​​  Standard not available in English.

National Standards for Organic Products (NSOP) under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) 

Indian Standards for Organic Textiles

Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) of Insecticides in Organic Food

Frequently Asked Questions (in English)

Date of Implementation: 2001

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) covers crop production, animal husbandry, food processing, labeling and storage and transport of organic agriculture and products (including wild harvest, aquaculture, livestock products, mushroom, seaweed, aquatic plants, greenhouse crops). Includes guidelines for certification of grower groups; IFOAM’s accreditation for food production and processing and wild crops is equivalent to NSOP. Certified organic products of any registered foreign programs will be considered for marketing along with the certified products of the accredited domestic programmes.

India has implemented a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) that is outside the framework of third-party certification that was launched in 2011. PGS-India covers standards for crops, livestock, food processing, handling and storage.

Textile standards cover the cultivation and production of organic fibres, and the manufacturing, processing, packaging, labelling and distribution of organic textiles, particularly of cotton and silk.

Highlights of the November 9, 2017 operationalization of India’s standards include:

No person shall manufacture, pack, sell, offer for sale, market, distribute, or import any organic food products unless they comply with the regulations;
Organic foods should comply with provisions from at least one of the following:

• National Program for Organic Production (NPOP)
• Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS- India)
• Other system or standards notified by the Food Authority

Organic food which is marketed through direct sales by the small original producer or producer organization shall be exempted from the provisions;

Organic labeling requirements should be accurate, in addition to the standard labeling requirements;

Traceability should be established up to the producer level;

All organic foods should comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation 2011, and the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants,Toxins, and Residues), Regulations, 2011;

Sellers of organic foods will be required to display organic food items in a distinguishable manner from conventional food items

TraceNet is an on-line application tool managed by APEDA under NPOP for management of entire organic certification system in the country. Organic certifiers and operations in India are responsible for ensuring compliance with Government of India export requirements including TraceNet reporting and documentation. 

Organic food imports under bilateral or multilateral agreements on the basis of the equivalence of standards between NPOP and the organic standards of the exporting countries shall not be required to re-certify on import; 
All organic food consignments should be accompanied by a Transaction Certification (TC) issued by an accredited certification body covered under the terms of equivalence agreement.

Effective July 1, 2018, Food Business Operators in India are required to follow the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017, which mandates the use of a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) organic logo on the primary label of all certified organic products entering India. On August 21, 2018, FSSAI issued an order announcing that use of a non-detachable sticker to display FSSAI’s organic logo would be permissible until December 31, 2018.

Certification:

All provisions of organic regulations came into force January 1, 2019. In order to be authorized to use the India Organic Seal, producers or processors must be certified by an independent third-party certification organization. Products for export from India must be accompanied by a Transaction Certificate issued by a Certification Body accredited by National Accreditation Body (NAB) for Organic Products under the National Programme for Organic Production.

Download a list of accredited certification and inspection agencies

Accreditation:

The National Accreditation Body (NAB) accredits certifying agents who inspect organic production and handling operations to insure that they meet the NPOP. 

Effective January 11, 2021, the U.S. no longer maintains an Organic Recognition Agreement with India, established in 2006. This decision starts a transition period which will allow organic operations certified by APEDA-accredited certifiers to apply for direct certification by USDA-accredited certifiers to the USDA organic standards. After July 12, 2022, USDA organic certification by a USDA-accredited certifier will be required to import organic products from India into the United States.

Reference Standards:

The Indian National Programme for Organic Production was modeled after the IFOAM Basic Standards for Organic Production and Processing, EU regulations as well as that of the Codex Alimentarius. India’s recognition in the EU is limited to Unprocessed Plant Products (not including seaweed) and Vegetative propagating material for seeds for cultivation.

Additional Information:

NOP India Webpage
U.S. International Trade Administration

USDA's GAIN Report India's Organic Agriculture Sector Finds Markets At Home and Abroad (2023)
USDA's GAIN Report Indian Organic Products Market Report (2021)
USDA's GAIN Report US-India Organic Transitory Timeline for Market Access and Accreditation (June 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report USDA AMS Ends Organic Recognition Agreement with India (January 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report The FSSAI Updates Rectifiable Labeling Information for Imported Food Products (2023)
USDA’s GAIN Report India Exporter Guide (2024) 
USDA’s FAIR Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2024)
USDA’s FAIR Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report India Retail Foods (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report A Glimpse into Kochi Retail Food Import Landscape (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report India Halal Overview (2022)
USDA’s GAIN Report India Food Processing Ingredients (2022)
USDA’s GAIN Report India Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report New Government of India Order Requires Genetically Modified- Free Certificate on Imported Food Products (2020)
USDA's GAIN Report India's FSSAI Expands its List of Rectifiable Labeling Deficiencies for Imported Food Products (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report More Vegan than a Vegan - India's FSSAI Issues Regulation Requiring Vegan Certification for Food Product Imports Labeled as Vegan (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report COVID-19 Accelerates the Growth of India's Online Grocery Market (2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Climate Change - Agriculture and Policy in India (2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Update on GAIN Report IN2020-0108 Highlighting Details on New Government of India Order for Genetically Modified-Free Certificate on Imported Food Products (2020)
USDA's GAIN Report India Extends Compliance Timeline for Genetically Modified-Free Certificate for Imported Food Products (2020)
USDA's GAIN Report Organic Foods Regulation Amendments Proposed by Government of India (Sept. 2020)
USDA's GAIN Report FSSAI Publishes Frequently Asked Questions on Organic Food Regulations (2020)
USDA's GAIN Report New Directives on Organic Foods Regulations Benefit Small Producers (2019)
USDA’s GAIN Report Retail Sector Expansion Creates New Opportunities for High-Value Product (2019)