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The number of active operators in Romania's organic farming sector has tripled this year
The number of active operators in Romania's organic farming sector has tripled this year reaching 10,000 and the rise in relevant subsidies might prompt the doubling, by end-2012, of the number of farmers who join the eco-certification system.
'It's the first time when the number of operators in the organic system goes up three-fold. Whereas there were 3,800 operators in the system at the end of 2010, their current number is around 10,000, most of whom run small-scale, subsistence holdings covering between 3 and 20 hectares of land, or grow 3-5 cows, 50-100 sheep or have a dozen of beehives,' president of the 'Bio-Romania' Association of Organic Agriculture Operators told Agerpres.
The 'Bio-Romania' head underscored that the shift from subsistence to organic farming has also contributed to the 10 pct increase this year in the arable surface farmed in the organic system. Source; BlackSea Grain
Exports of organic products - 200 mln euros in 2011; domestic market - only 80 mln euros
The Romanian market of organic products currently stands at about 80 million euros, while exports of such products are put at 200 million euros in 2011, a double value compared to 2010, according to estimates of Bio-Romania Association of Organic Agriculture Operators.
'Exports of organic products will exceed 200 million euros in 2011, compared with a value of 100 million euros recorded in 2010. The most exported products were the same as last years': cereals, honey, forest fruits, while cheeses, wines or bakery products recorded a lower value. The organic agriculture is the only sector with a positive balance sheet,' Bio-Romania Chairman Marian Cioceanu told Agerpres.
The European countries are Romania's main export markets for organic products, with Germany, Austria or Belgium being among the states massively importing raw materials obtained in the local organic system, but also the main suppliers of bio processed products for the Romanian market.
Regarding the domestic consumption of organic products, its estimated value amounts to nearly 80 million euros, with half of this value standing for Romanian products, namely honey, wine and bakery products and the other half for imports of largest retailers.
'Romania is still a market exporting raw materials and not processed food-products. Raw materials are processed in Germany and Belgium and sent back to the Romanian market, but at 4-5 times higher prices. I hope the processing sector of agricultural products to be supported in the future Common Agricultural Policy so that Romanians too could eat healthy products, but at decent prices,' Marian Cioceanu added.
The agricultural surface under organic management surged from 260,000 hectares in 2010 up to nearly 300,000 ha in 2011, but compared to the arable surface of 9 million ha is still an insignificant area. Also the number of active operators in Romania's organic farming sector increased this year, amounting to 10,000, against 2008-2010, but most of them own small-sized areas and few animals.