Organic continues to grow on a global scale. In 2018 alone, the area under organic cultivation in 186 countries increased by two million hectares. Great news from BioFach, the largest trade fair dedicated to organic products, in Nuremberg on 17-20.2.20.
Organic in Europe, +8%.
New data on organic trends in Europe-presented by IFOAM(International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) and the Swiss Institute FIBL-indicate sustained growth in demand. Sales rise to 40.7 billion euros, up 8 percent in 2018 from the previous year.
In Europe, Spain is confirmed as the leading country in terms of area under organic cultivation. This is followed by France, where vineyard conversion is proceeding apace and sales have seen an extraordinary spike, +15%.
Organic in Italy, wide room for growth
Italy is third in Europe and eighth in the world in terms of the extent of organic crops, with just under 2 million hectares representing 15.5 percent of the Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA). It remains the leader in Europe in the number of certified companies, with more than 79,000 operators. And it continues to stand out for its brilliant results in production, exports and consumption, where it is still the fifth largest market globally.
The organic market now accounts for 4 percent of the total products sold in Italy, with a per capita expenditure of less than 100 euros (compared with 136 and 132 euros in France and Germany). And yet it shows ample room for growth, even taking into account the surge in retail sales, with a 20 percent spike in the discount channel.
Italy, waiting for two laws and as many development policies
The Italian agri-food system – oriented on quality that links history and territories, supply chains and products – presents great opportunities for growth precisely because of the organic sector. On both fronts of domestic demand and export. Coldiretti and UIV (Italian Wine Union) have also understood this opportunity, signing special agreements with Federbio in 2019 to promote the conversion of vineyards and the sale of products.
Two laws are needed, however, on peasant farming and organic farming. The former has been in gestation for a decade, the latter already passed in the Senate and awaiting a vote in the House. And development policies are needed, aimed at promoting environmental and economic sustainability. In line with theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Agenda 2030 and the Bio 2030 Manifesto that was launched in Italy itself.
‘We started first on organic, but we are in danger of being overtaken if we fail to put in place appropriate strategies and investments in research, innovation and training to encourage conversion to organic farming. Therefore, we strongly reiterate our appeal to the Italian government and the Senate of the Republic to speed up the approval process of the organic farming bill, which has already been approved by an overwhelming majority in the House“, (Maria Grazia Mammuccini, FederBio president).
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
