Trade deals will boost EU organic agriculture

Subject

Outlook for the EU organic agriculture sector.

Significance

Over the past ten years, the EU’s organic sector has grown on average by 5-6% per year; 6% of farming land in the EU is used for the cultivation of organic foodstuffs. The drivers for continued growth include a consumer desire for ‘cleaner’ food, and concerns about genetically modified organisms and pesticide use in the supply chain.

Impacts

• The EU is focusing on the development of its stringent organic regulations, which apply not only to EU but also to EEA member states.
• The EU-Chile agreement will likely provide a framework for future deals with other countries in the region such as Mexico.
• Demand for organic products in the EU is growing faster than production, opening up opportunities for other countries.