The new figures about the Italian organic industry released by SINAB (Italian National Information System on Organic Agriculture www.sinab.it) show a growth of 10 percent of organically cultivated areas. Italy still holds the crown in Europe for number of organic certified players and organic arable and permament cropland even though Spain's certified area is larger.
At the end of December 2009, there were 48'509 organic operators in Italy- two percent less than in 2008. In particular producers suffered a significant decline (-3.7 percent), while the number of processors continued to grow (+3.5 percent). As regards the organic agricultural land, 1'106'684 hectares were recorded by SINAB, up by approximately ten percent from last year.
Southern Italian regions have the largest organic areas (Sicilia, Puglia e Basilicata) and the largest numbers of organic farms (Sicily, Puglia and Basilicata). In the North of the country most of the processors are located (especially Emilia Romagna and Lombardy).
The main products of the Italian organic industry (excluding grassland) are, in order of importance: grains, olive tree, fruits (including shell fruit), vineyards, citrus fruit and vegetables.
Commenting the latest SINAB data, the Italian minister for Agriculture Giancarlo Galan stated: "Our organic products are increasingly appreciated by Italian and European consumers, however much is still to be done to support organic farming, who are committed in an industry that makes quality products while respecting the environment."
Source: greenplanet.net: Italy's new organic figures: surface growth by 10. News of July 8, 2010
More information
- Greenplanet.net: Italy's new organic figures: surface growth by 10. News of July 8, 2010
- sinab.it: Bio in CIFRE 2009
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