It is increasingly HEALTHY the organic supply chain in Italy. At the industry event of the same name in Bologna, we draw confirmation of unstoppable growth. Cultivated area, farms and consumption are in excellent health. The SINAB report ‘Bio in Figures 2019 – Anticipations‘ offers useful insights into the way forward to bring value, to society and the economy.
Organic in Italy, areas and crops
The share of Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA) and certified organic registers a substantial increase precisely in the two regions that have experienced serious problems related to soil and water pollution in recent years. Campania and Veneto, +43% and +37% respectively. A sign of hope, so that ‘thinking heads’ about the environment and health will ultimately prevail over those who pose a threat to it.
The growth index of agricultural areas cultivated according to organic methods ‘in accordance with the law’ and as such certified – also with a view to accessing the subsidies provided by the Regional Development Plans (RDPs) – is significantly milder, at the national level, with an average increase of 2.6 percent. And it is worth noting-among the regions most committed to converting to organic production-one of the leading players in Italian agribusiness production, Emilia-Romagna (+15.5 percent).
Overall, 15.5 percent of the land now farmed in Italy is certified organic. Thus, ecoagriculture is spread over nearly 2 million hectares, 1,958,045 to be exact. The most represented crops are fodder crops (20 percent of total certified production), but especially those that best express the Mediterranean civilization and diet. Thus cereals, olive trees and vines occupy 17, 12 and 5 percent of organic production, respectively. The regions with the largest UAA dedicated to organic are Sicily (385,356 ha), Apulia (263,353), Calabria (200,904), Emilia Romagna (155,331) and Lazio (140,556).
Organic Made in Italy, operators
The number of certified organic operators rose to 79,046, in 2018 (+4.6 percent). With a geographic distribution of ‘exclusive preparers’-whose activities are restricted to the processing of organic raw materials-which is inverse to that of organic farmers. Lombardy (1,069), Emilia Romagna (1,038) and Veneto (974) then stand out in terms of the number of ‘exclusive preparers’. In addition to Sicily, which excels on the agricultural front and yet boasts 947 operating units in processing alone.
The short supply chain finds maximum expression in the southern regions-Sicily, Calabria, Apulia-and in Tuscany. Where there are 1,597, 1,199, 1,169 and 1,714 farmers who are also dedicated to processing agricultural raw materials, often predominantly using their own production, respectively. It is the producer/preparer category, which expresses an evolution of shared interest between consumAtors-who know how to favor km0 supply chains-and operators. Who, in integrating the supply chain, also manage to optimize resources and thus increase profitability. Possibly, keeping prices affordable so that the green choice can be affordable for everyone.
Consumption of organic products in Italy
After double-digit year-on-year growth through 2017, the consumption of organic products in Italy experienced a natural decline in 2018 (+4 percent), and a further easing in the first half of 2019 (+1.7 percent). Organic still accounts for 3 percent of food spending in Italy, worth about 2.5 billion euros. And it tends to align with overall trends in the industry, albeit continuing to grow and showing a much firmer market hold. In the table below, the analysis of consumption trends of organic products, comparing with the total.
Food expenditure in Italy, First half of 2019/2018, Percentage changes (source SINAB, ‘Bio in figures 2019, Advances’ report)
GDO (large-scale retail trade) undoubtedly plays a leading role in the growth of organic product consumption, with growth indices more than doubling in 2018 (+9%), almost tripling in the first half of 2019 (+5.5%). With an extraordinary spike, +20%, in the discount segment.
Trends in consumption of organic products (GDO) in Italy, compared with overall agribusiness trends. Year 2019 / percentage changes (source SINAB, ‘Bio in Figures 2019, Advances’ report)
Values and opportunities, employment and professionalism
The values promoted by GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade) and Égalité Onlus fit into a vision of sustainable development that considers agroecology-and thus, conversion to organic-as a fundamental step. To preserve the environment and biodiversity, protect populations from the risks posed by pesticide abuse, and promote public health through better food.
The opportunity for farmers to carry out a genuine ‘green revolution‘ complements the values mentioned above, under the banner of Respect for nature and its inhabitants but also for the economy. In a logic of systemic reduction of waste, as well as reduction of costs associated with increasing dependence on global seed and agrotoxin monopolists.
Employment and skills related to agroecology then find fertile ground in a sector that excels at the European level, including in terms of added value, and is still growing. With nearly 2 million hectares of UAA, 79 thousand enterprises in the territory and 2.5 billion euros in turnover. Production and inspection, training and field service, research, development and other activities provide employment outlets for several thousand technicians. Crowning laudable courses of study in agronomy and biology, food technology and engineering in a country that still produces more degrees than jobs relevant to them.
Peasant agriculture, in this regard, remains the great untapped opportunity. To create value and jobs in the territories, with ethics and sustainability. Still waiting for a law, long since so far promised in vain.
Dario Dongo and Donato Ferrucci
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Agronomist, master in food law. He deals with certifications and quality systems in the agri-food chain. He collaborates with institutions and universities and is a member of the editorial board of rivistadiagraria.org.
