Growth of organic farming in Flanders falters for second year in a row

The evolution of organic agriculture in Flanders last year confirms the faltering growth that started in 2022. That pointed out the Flemish Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries in a new report.

At the end of last year, Flanders had 636 farms producing organic products. That is an increase of 1.6 per cent compared to 2022, but at the same time the second lowest growth rate in 15 years. The total organic area remains almost the same and the share of land where farmers convert to organic farming is declining.

The number of organic farmers with animal products is also down for the second year in a row. Organic livestock numbers fell by 7 per cent. Last year, 37 farmers stopped their organic production. Organic farmers now make up 3 per cent of the total number of farmers.

“As in 2022, the negative evolution is particularly striking among farms focusing on organic poultry and cattle,” stated the Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries. “Their number has fallen back to 2019 levels. The number of organic pig and sheep farms does seem to be stabilising.”

Government support aimed at the organic sector rose to €7.2 million last year, which is the highest amount in recent years. The bulk of government spending goes to stimulating organic production. Apart from that, the money mainly goes to research.

The total amount households spend on organic products in Flanders, meanwhile, has exceeded half a billion euros. This is mainly due to inflation. “The organic market seems to be catching up after stagnating in 2022,” declared the agency.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Organic pig farm Biovar, in Ruiselede, 11 June 2022 © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER}