DEMAND KEY TO EUROPEAN UNION’S ABILITY TO MEET ORGANIC PRODUCTION GOALS

The European Union’s targets for organic farmland will only pay off if consumer demand can keep up with production, according to research and consulting company Ecovia Intelligence.

As part of the Farm to Fork strategy, the European Union’s European Organic Action Plan is aiming for 25% of farmland to be organic by 2030, up from the current 8.1%.

However, Ecovia pointed out that although sales increased over five-fold between 2000 and 2019 (from €8 billion to €42bn), organic products still account for less than 4% of total food sales in Europe.

To achieve the target, organic farmland and organic food production will have to triple over ten years, with financial support coming from the Common Agricultural Policy, greater research into organic farming and promotion funds.

The European Union has revealed its intention to boost demand and build consumer trust in organics through greater visibility of the European Union organic logo.

Ecovia also believes legislation for green public procurement is on the cards, with various governments, including in Denmark, Sweden and France, already encouraging schools and government institutions to source organic foods.

Amarjit Sahota, Founder and President of Ecovia Intelligence, said: “Most of the growth in the European organic food market in the last two decades has been driven by the private sector, especially large food retailers.”

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