Domestic consumption of organic food in Italy records further growth, +11% in the GDO channel (Large Organized Distribution), +4.4% total sales reaching the record of 3.3 billion euros (June 2020). +180% in ten years (!).
The ISMEA report ‘Organic in numbers 2020’ was presented together with the annual SINAB report (National Information System on Organic Farming), at the meeting organized by Coldiretti on 1.10.20.
Democratization of organic, the role of GDO
During the lockdown imposed by Covid the sale of organic food in supermarkets grew double digits (+11%). A figure that confirms the growing awareness of the value of organic foods for health and the immune system, as seen.
The GDO has finally taken a leading role in the democratization of organic, which we have been calling for years. Continuous closeness to consumers has thus allowed modern distribution to intercept their requests – last confirmed in reports Coop 12.9.20 e Immagino Observatory 2019 (GS1-Italy) – and expand the offering of the most green.
Fresh products it's the biggest news. With the triumph of organic eggs, whose sales soar (+9.7%). And vegetables, which in turn recorded a jump in sales (+7.2%). A success for all operators in the supply chain, which brings the Italian food system closer to the objectives set by the Manifesto of Organic 2030, introduced at the SANA fair on 6-9.9.19.
Italian organic grows but so does import
Italy confirmed in 2019 as the first European country for the number of organic certified farms. A figure consistent with the extreme fragmentation of our production chain but also, and above all, with the leadership European position of the Bel Paese in added value in agriculture. Certified operators number 80,643 (+2%) and organic cultivated areas now nearly reach 2 million hectares, +2% compared to 2018, +79% compared to 2010.
Increase also increases in imports of organic products from non-EU countries, with an overall increase of 13.1%. The sharp rise is 35.2% for industrial crops, destined for processing industry (sugar plants, textiles, oilseeds, spices and aromatic herbs). Cereals and the category grouping coffee, cocoa, sugars, tea, and spices grow respectively by 16.9% and 22.8%.
More checks on imports
The supply on extra-EU markets, according to Coldiretti, could be reduced in favor of national productions by tightening the screws of official public controls. In particular, making the entry of goods dependent not only on documentary checks but also on physical inspections and analytical controls.
'Italy is one of the largest importers of organic food from non-EU countries from where in 2019 arrived 210 thousand tons, of which almost 1/3 from Asia. It is necessary to promptly follow up on the European Court of Auditors' recommendation urging to strengthen controls on imported organic products that do not meet the same safety standards as European ones.' (Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti).
Italian Bio Pride
The marked tendency of Italians towards food productions Made in Italy should therefore act as a lever for the growth of local organic products. And the growing attention towards organic should in turn allow a fairer redistribution of value in favor of farmers who know how to seize the opportunities.
Promote The use of certified Italian raw materials by reducing import volumes can also provide an additional growth stimulus to the sector and contribute to achieving the target of 25% of the surface area devoted to organic farming, indicated in the Farm to Fork strategy, one of the pillars of the New Green Deal. An opportunity not to be missed, especially given the boom in demand for 100% Italian products we have witnessed in recent years (Raffaele Borriello, general director of Ismea).
Organic Farming Consolidation Act, finally arriving
Strict rules and accurate controls on imports are essential to protect Italian organic products. A further boost can come from the Organic Farming Consolidation Act, which the Minister of Agricultural Policies Teresa Bellanova indicates is now under approval in the Senate.
‘All our agri-food it rests and takes root on the distinctiveness and excellence of quality, and organic must be one of the cornerstones, with a view to protecting the environment and biodiversity. If we lower the bar of rules, if we reduce the rigor of organic control, we do a favor to the competitors of our companies and harm the entire Italian agri-food system (…) If someone in Europe thinks of increasing organic areas by lowering the level of rules, in order to make everything organic, wewe do not agree’ (Teresa Bellanova, Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies).
The praise and requests of FederBio
FederBio It is the national federation that since 1992 brings together and represents almost all the organizations operating in the organic and biodynamic agriculture sectors. From seed to fork e from feed to fork (from seeds and feed to fork), the main entities in production, distribution, certification, standardization and protection of the interests of organic operators and technicians adhere to it. With the aim of protecting and promoting its development, also at international level. FederBio is in fact associated with IFOAM, the organization that since 1972 brings together over 100 regional organizations and organic sector platforms. As well as with ACCREDIA, the Italian body for the accreditation of certification bodies.
Maria Grazia Mammuccini, its president, celebrates the results and renews the requests for the development of the organic system in Italy. With attention to the strategies presented by the European Commission between December 2019 and May 2020. Green New Deal, Farm to Fork (f2f), but also Biodiversity. Which must receive adequate support in the new CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), in the name of an ecological transition that must translate into concrete aid to its protagonists.
'The presented numbers highlight that the trend of citizens is increasingly oriented towards organic food. Therefore, we must support with concrete initiatives and a coherent legislative framework the conversion to true organic. The risk is that the strong demand of Italian consumers is met by imported organic products at the expense of Made in Italy organic, while we need to strengthen agricultural producers in our country through the development of ethical supply chains based on the principle of “fair price”.
At this moment historic in which Europe, with the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork and biodiversity strategies, is strongly focusing on organic, Italy cannot afford to miss the opportunity to accelerate the transition path towards the organic model and lose its role as a leader in the number of operators.
The thrust for organic farming, which today comes from Coldiretti, it represents an important point for the sector and the event 'Bio Revolution' to be held on October 9, 2020, the opening day of SANA RESTART, will be a fundamental moment of dialogue for the entire organic system. It will above all be an occasion for discussion with the institutions, all the organizations of the agricultural world in the presence of Minister Bellanova to implement the best ideas and strategic projects to spread organic productions by creating concrete opportunities forrural territory and for the new generations.
We are very satisfied that Minister Bellanova also highlighted organic farming as a fundamental driver for agroecological development, hoping that the final approval of the organic law will take place already in the coming months’’ (Maria Grazia Mammuccini, President of FederBio).
Peasant agroecology, waiting for a law for over 10 years
Peasant agriculture, it is worth noting, continues to receive little consideration. The microscopic and family businesses dedicated to eco-agriculture have so far been effectively excluded from European contributions. And for over 10 years they have been waiting for a framework law aimed at enhancing their essential role for society and the economy of the territories, as well as their protection.
LiberiAgricoltori e Assorurale represent several tens of thousands of farmers across the entire Italian territory. They have been fighting for a couple of decades, in coordination with the global coordination of La Via Campesina, to obtain recognition of the universal rights of peasants and rural communities. Rights proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 17.11.18, and still lacking concrete implementation. For food sovereignty and respect for the dignity of workers, biodiversity and ecosystem protection, short and solidarity supply chains.
The time has come that the Italian Parliament approve the bill that has already gathered the consensus of the political parties, without however gaining their actual interest. The protection of peasant and ecological agriculture cannot wait any longer and must in turn find space in the aid regime. Under the auspices of the recent FAO decalogue for agroecology. Without forgetting the principle of equality, which ranks 10th among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As well as in the Constitution of the Italian Republic (article 3), to this day founded on work.
Dario Dongo and Marta Strinati
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT – Food Times) and Égalité.
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of journalistic investigations on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
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