Organic textile exports to rise by 50%, says APEDA

India’s organic textile exports are expected to

rise by 50 per cent to about Rs 1,500 crores in 2012-13 with the introduction of a new national certification standard, according to Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA). During 2011-12, these exports were Rs 1,027 crores, according to the data provided by the APEDA.

“The certification standard called National Organic Textile Standards (NOTS) would help boost demand for organic textiles products as well as benefit local producers and the environment,” APEDA Chairman Asit Tripathy said. “This aims at having uniform standards which are recognised overseas mainly in major markets such as Europe, Germany and Japan. The move would result in greater acceptance for Indian organic products in these markets,” he added.

The NOTS would be included under the National Programme for Organic Productions (NPOP) which is a legal regime administered by the Ministry of Commerce. “The launch of the NOTS takesover the long-standing position of the Global Organic Textiles Standards (GOTS) which is a voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing of apparel and home textiles made with organic fibre such as organic cotton and organic wool,” Tripathy said.

At present, there are private standards prevailing in the country for organic textiles which are not in conformity with the international standards. Further, the council said, India’s total organic products have been growing at an average of 30 per cent over the past five years. During 2011-12, India exported certified organic products like food, cotton and textiles to various countries in Europe, Asia and the US to the tune of Rs 1,866 crores with an increase of 167 per cent in value terms.