Figures and facts about organic production in the world, Europe and Bulgaria

Around the World and in Europe

The latest statistical data indicate that organic farming is practiced worldwide on 43.7 million ha in 172 countries.

The agricultural areas under the organic method of production in Europe cover 11.6 million ha /EU – 10.3 million ha/. This represents 2.4% of the total agricultural land on the planet /EU – 5.7%/.

The countries with the largest areas under organic farming in the EU are Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

The global market for organic products of agricultural origin in 2014 is estimated at a value of 80 billion US dollars – 38.5 billion in North America, 35 billion in Europe and 6.5 billion in the rest of the world.

The concept of the development of organic production in Europe includes the following characteristics:

1. Areas in the control system – 11.6 million ha in Europe /10.3 million ha in the EU/. Leading countries: Spain – 1.7 million ha, Italy – 1.4 million ha and France – 1.1 million ha.
2. Producers – 339,824 in Europe /257,525 in the EU/. Leading countries: Turkey – 71,472, Italy – 48,662, and Spain – 30,602.
3. Processors – 51,495 in Europe /49,968 in the EU/. Leading countries: Italy – 12,641, France – 11,198, and Germany – 9,497.
4. Importers – 1,847 in Europe /1,650 in the EU/. Leading countries: Germany – 326, Italy – 259, and Sweden – 247.

Bulgaria

In recent years, organic production has been one of the agricultural sectors in Bulgaria that has been developing at a rapid pace, with a continuous increase in the areas, livestock and the number of producers, processors and traders (the so-called operators). In 2010 they were 820, in 2015 – 6,173. Areas in the control system: in 2010 – 20,320 ha, in 2015 – 80,566 ha.

In 2013 the areas used for organic farming in Bulgaria accounted for 1.1% of the total utilised agricultural area (UAA). In 2014 – 1.5%, in 2015 – 2.4%.

The main groups of crops in the control system: Cereals – 12,061 ha in 2014, 22,182 ha in 2015. Industrial crops – 12,878 ha in 2014, 20,873 ha in 2015. Fresh vegetables, melons, strawberries and cultivated mushrooms - 1,445 ha in 2014, 1,864 ha in 2015. Permanent crops – 18,213 ha in 2014, 25,928 ha in 2015.

Animals reared under organic conditions – cattle – 3,641 in 2010, 4,209 in 2015; sheep – 6,698 in 2010, 18,792 in 2015; goats – 2,773 in 2010, 5,381 in 2015. Bee colonies – 46,429 in 2010, 178,331 in 2015.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Directorate “Organic Farming and Crop Production”