News

 Still too few organic farmers...

Market Bio Rueil Malmaison in Hauts-de-Seine. Photo credits: Le Figaro

For the first time in ten years, the number of farmers from the organic increases significantly. But supply is still far from meeting demand and increase imports.

Good news: 3,600 farmers have chosen to convert their farms to organic in 2009, is 20% more than last year. "This is a historic increase in the last ten said Elisabeth Mercier, director of the Bio Agency, the body responsible for promoting bio in France. The increase in 2009, is the total of seven years earlier. "

Better yet is no room for complacency: the organic still represents only 2.4 to 2.5% of the agricultural area in France. To meet the objectives of the Grenelle of the environment, it should reach 6% in 2012 and 20% in 2020 ...

two uses of Bio

barometer 2009 Agency bio makes it clear that organic products are completely integrated into the everyday consumer. "A French consumes two organic at least once a month, says Elisabeth Mercier. It is a structural trend, we can not really speak of fashion. "Despite the crisis, all indicators are green: 84% of French believe that organic farming must continue to die ; envelope and 25% of organic consumers intend to grow in the next six months their consumption (against 22% in 2008) while they are 71% want to keep. New organic buyers also progressing with 20% of consumers who are being less than two years. They are also often to feed a newborn in the family.

ransom of success, imports of organic products should rise further in 2010. The Agency considers the bio to 30% on average with significant differences depending on the product. If the local supply of meat, eggs or wines can meet the demand, much less the case for milk, cereals and products of high culture . As for fruits and vegetables and groceries dry areas on which the demand is strong, imports represent up to 50% or 60%. Since it takes three years for a farmer to convert to organic, the offer is not about to join the request.