The BIOFACH balance sheet
47.000 trade visitors from 136 countries were drawn to BIOFACH, the world's leading trade fair for organic products. 3.792 exhibitors from 110 countries presented new products, trends and innovations on more than 57.000 m2 of exhibition space. The Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (BÖLW) is the national, non-material sponsor of the fair. Peter Röhrig, Managing Director of the German National Organic Association, takes stock: "Organic boomed in 2019 at the checkout and in the fields. Committed organic processors and traders ensure that more and more customers can access more and more local organic food. Many farms switched to organic farming. Even with the more than 107.000 hectares of organic land that were added in Germany in 2019, organic farmers protect our water, bees and climate.
Organic farmers, processors and traders presented themselves at the world's leading trade fair as driving forces for the necessary restructuring of agriculture and nutrition. From the field to the shelf, eco-companies presented how economy and ecology successfully go hand in hand. Together with many guests from research, politics, authorities and civil society, it was discussed how a sustainable future can be achieved with organic. At its 31st edition, BIOFACH once again presented itself as a diverse meeting place for the international organic food industry. 10.000 congress participants discuss the main topic "organic works" and many other topics that concern the organic movement in Germany and the world.
It is good that Federal Minister Julia Klöckner once again assured the organic sector of her support in wanting to achieve the coalition agreement target of 20% organic areas by 2030. This can succeed if Klöckner consistently gears its policy to organic. It is particularly important that the minister sets the course in the direction of agriculture suitable for grandchildren in the reform of the common EU agricultural policy and that organic becomes a task for the entire federal government.
A strong commitment by Germany in the negotiations for the new EU organic law remains important. When it comes to out-of-home catering and the strengthening of regional value chains, the federal government’s special commitment is required.”
You can read the annual balance sheet of the organic food industry here: https://www.boelw.de/presse/meldungen/artikel/oeko-flaeche-knackt-10-kunden-kaufen-bio-fuer-fast-12-mrd-e/
