Biological production – challenges and trends

The International Conference “Organic Production – Challenges and Trends” will be held on 25 and 26 June in Plovdiv. The eighth edition of the conference will be opened by Tania Georgieva, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food. The discussions will take place at an important stage in the development of organic farming in Bulgaria: organic production has recorded a significant increase of nearly 35% for the first time since 2017.

Among the topics to be presented are the development of organic production in Bulgaria and forecasts for trends, the retail market for organic food in Bulgaria and consumer attitudes, organic foods in Bulgarian supermarkets and the experience of retail chains, as well as the latest trends in the sales of organic products.

Attention will also be paid to foreign experience in the production and sales of organic foods: Romania’s experience in introducing organic foods in public catering financed with public funds, and practices in Greece for the use of organic products in the public sector.

The new Ordinance on environmental requirements for certain products subject to public procurement will also be presented: when it enters into force and how it will be applied.

Discussions are also forthcoming on the changes in the “School Fruit” and “School Milk” schemes – new elements in the implementation of the schemes for the 2024–2025 school year, with the sharing of experience by organisations and proposals by Bulgarian producers for optimising the schemes.

The second day will be dedicated to the opportunities for increasing organic production in the country: a key factor for the growth of the entire sector. “Moscos” Farm from the town of Kastoria, winner of the 2023 European Organic Farmer Award of IFOAM Organics Europe and the European Commission, will share its experience.

A discussion is planned on how the state supports organic production in Bulgaria – a summary of all interventions for which organic producers in Bulgaria may apply, and new developments in the rules for the 2024 campaign.

A special presentation will also be given on the last 2023 campaign and common errors in applying for eco-schemes and interventions related to organic production.

The closing panel is dedicated to the need for knowledge and technologies for successful organic production and how they can reach farmers. European policies for advisory services and support for organic producers will be presented, as well as European platforms with training materials on organic production and the advisory services for organic producers provided by the National Agricultural Advisory Service.

The participants in the conference will also visit an organic farm near Plovdiv.

Traditionally, at the end of the conference a cocktail with Bulgarian organic products is organised.

See the programme HERE

You can watch the conference on the Facebook page of the Bioselena Foundation:

https://www.facebook.com/events/377703948192852 – for the first day and https://www.facebook.com/events/800955052172638 – for the second day

The International Conference “Organic Production” is organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Bulgarian Association of Organic Products for the eighth consecutive year, with the active participation of the Bioselena Foundation for Organic Agriculture and all interested organisations.