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Organic Updates
Organic Export
Opportunities Report Available On-line
A recent report completed by the Horticultural and Tropical Products Division of FAS for the Washington Horticultural Association’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show, December 6, 2000, is now available on our web site: The report touches on world organic demand and production in the leading countries that purchase and produce organic commodities. The report focuses on the countries that show the most promise for U.S. organic produce and those countries that are competing suppliers.
Greek Organic Production is Limited, But Growing Rapidly
According to the Ministry of Agriculture the total acreage devoted to organic crops in Greece, is estimated at 22,000 hectares, compared to only 1,200 hectares in 1994 (total arable area of Greece: 4,000,000 Ha). The organic crop acreage in Greece is the smallest in the EU, but is increasing significantly from year to year. Grapes, olives, and citrus are the main organic crops. Salad vegetables are also growing in suburban small fields. Prices for organically produced fruits and vegetables fluctuate at levels 25-35 percent higher than similar non-organic products.
Argentina Ranks Among Largest Producers of Organic Apples and
Pears
Argentina is one of the world’s largest producers of certified organic apples and pears, with 380 and 234 hectares planted in 1999, respectively, in comparison with 188 hectares planted to apples and 156 to pears in 1998. While no data is available on the area planted in 2000, it is expected that the total area planted to organic fruits will continue its aggressive growth.
Total production of certified organic apples and pears in Argentina in 1999 reached approximately 8,000 tons and 6,000 tons, respectively. Production is expected to continue to grow at a similar pace in the near future, driven by rapidly increasing demand from the United States and the European Union (EU), where consumption of organic products has been increasing significantly in the last few years.
Argentine exports of organic fruits increased 33 percent in 1999, compared to 1998. Argentine exports of organic fruits to the EU in 1999 totaled 6,100 tons, accounting for 28 percent of Argentina’s organic exports to the EU. Organic fruits are among the leading organic products exported to the European Union, after grains and oilseeds. Apples accounted for 48 percent of total organic fruit exports, followed by pears with 40 percent. Exports of organic fruits to the United States in 1999 reached 1,850 tons, of which pears accounted for 1,450 tons (78 percent) and apples, the balance.
For more news on organics, see HTP’s monthly newsletter "Organic Perspectives," available at the HTP home page: www.fas.usda.gov/agx/organics/organics.html
The newsletter contains reports on organics from around the world gleaned from attache reports, trips made by HTP’s organics staff, and other sources. The newsletter also covers items of interest about the U.S. national organic program and the domestic organic industry. A list of upcoming conferences, trade shows and other events is included in every issue.
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