Italy: Less Organic Food

In Italy decline after years of continuous growth for the first time the production and consumption of organic food, while imports of organically produced goods increase. According to the farmers' association Coldiretti, the number of organic farms, the organically farmed agricultural land went in 2002 8,9 to percent to 5,6 per cent and sales of packaged organic products at retail to 1,6 percent.

The number of importers is in contrast increased by 27 percent compared to last year. Given these first signals a stagnant market, it is necessary in the opinion of Coldiretti, to take action to support a recovery in production and the market. This included a stricter traceability by means of a proper designation of the region of origin, as well as in the organic sector a high growth of imports from non-EU countries was recorded. These products were produced under circumstances specifications to those of the EU "equal" are not always.

Italian organic farming is a leader in Europe with over 51.400 farms and nearly 1,2 million hectares of organic land. The main crops are fodder plants, cereals, olives, wine, citrus fruits, fruits and vegetables. In addition, the area will be used for the breeding of 164.000 cattle, 660.000 sheep and goats, almost 20.000 pigs as well as about 940.000 chickens and rabbits. According to market research, the decline in consumption of packaged organic products is reflected in declining sales of infant formula (minus 16 percent) but also fruits and vegetables (minus three percent), milk and dairy products (minus three percent), beverages (minus two percent) and pasta and rice (minus one percent). By contrast, sales of meat and meat products (plus nine percent) and eggs (plus 29 percent) increased.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]