Over 43 million hectares of fields all over the world, about the 1% of the agricultural land, are cultivated the organic way. As the periodical Valori reports with a map, those are the numbers that come to light from the latest joint report from FiBL (Forschunginstitut für biologischen Landbau) and Ifoam (International federation of organic agriculture movements) on organic agriculture.
From this report appears that Australia, with over 17 million hectares of organic field, is the country with the widest organic cultivations, followed by Argentina, with more than 3 million hectares of plantations, United States and China, both with 2 over million hectares of terrain. Italy occupies a good position with 1.317.000 hectares, less than Spain (1.610.000 hectares) but more than France and Germany (1.061.000 hectares). Still, the production chain of Italian organic products is enjoying good health and the key indexes are growing: from the cultivated surfaces (+7,5%*), to the people working in the sector (+8,2%*), to the sales (+15%*). But the internal Italian market is not the only one that is gaining excellent results: the exports even grew by +408% compared to 2008 and by 16% over last year1.
Good news for the Made in Italy overseas, but also for the environment. Just in Italy, indeed, more than 7 families out of 10 purchased at least an organic product last year. And the evidence suggests that those who try those products easily get attached them. 90% of the consumers, as a matter of fact, began purchasing those products at least 2/3 years ago. The 25% of them consumes those products very regularly (almost every day) or at least once a week (43%).
However, who are the organic enthusiasts?
The survey conducted during SANA 2016 identified a series of factors that influence the choice on organic products. First of all, a higher educational qualification appears frequently (81%) between the organic products lovers. Afterwards, the income and the presence of minors in the family: 77% of the consumers of organic products lives with a child under 12 years. Vegan and vegetarian food choices, just as food intolerances or allergies, help families approach to the organic world.
Those who buy products from the organic production chain are mainly motivated by health reasons. Many people instead do this to respects the environment. Not least, the safety: organic food is considered more controlled. Among the most acquired products, there are organic fruit and vegetables. After them, extra virgin olive oil, honey, jams, rice and pasta.
That’s the reason why Probios keeps choosing organic raw materials, mostly from Italian cultivations, to bring to the shops better products, respecting the health of people and the environment.
