Spain: Spain is the EU country most surface intended to organic farming
Spain has been one of the most dynamic states in organic farming community and stands out as the country that has grown the organic area in the period 2000-2013, when multiplied by 4.2 to 1.6 million hectares.
According to the study on “The organic sector in the European Union”, Spain has been one of the most dynamic states in organic farming community and stands out as the country that has grown the organic area in the period 2000-2013, when multiplied by 4.2 to 1.6 million hectares, well above the EU average, which has doubled.
Spain is also the EU country with the largest area of land used for organic farming.
61% of the surface bio EU-28 -10.3 million hectares certified and conversion in 2013- is concentrated in six countries, with Spain in the lead (16%), followed by Italy (13% and 1 3 million), France (10% to 1.06 million), Germany (10% to 1.06 million), Poland (6% to 675,000) and the UK (5% to 575 349 ha).
Spain, with 30,502 organic farms, is also among the countries with the highest number at Community level, since only precedes Italy (45 969).
Thus, there are six states of the EU-28 have 68% of the 257 323 organic farms, with Italy (18%) and Spain (12%) in first and second place, respectively, followed by Poland (10 %), France (10%), Greece (9%) and Germany (9%).
Regarding the agricultural area (UAA) for eco agriculture, although Spain is also above the European average of 5.7%, is, however, far surpassed by Austria, which, with 19.7% , is the country’s agricultural extension intended for this production method.
Spain (6.47%) is here in twelfth place and ahead also of Austria, are Sweden (16.5%), Estonia (16.3%), Czech Republic (11.7%), Latvia ( 11%), Italy (10.3%), Finland (9%), Slovakia (8.4%), Portugal (8.1%), Slovenia (8%) and Denmark (6.9%).
The report stresses, moreover, experienced progression through Andalusia, which currently has half the Spanish organic agricultural area; in 2000 that percentage was 18%.
However, the study suggests that bio Andalusian production is strongly export-oriented, as the total Spanish. In this regard, it states that the Andalusian plan 2014-2020 has among its main lines of action creating rural jobs through organic farming and to promote short distribution circuits to support domestic consumption.
Efe Agro
