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Ioan Sebastian BRUMĂ
Post-PhD Fellow, SOP HRD/159/1.5/133675 Project, Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch
sebastian_bruma@yahoo.com
THE EVOLUTION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL
LAND AREAS IN THE EMERGING COUNTRIES
OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
ABSTRACT
The paper analyses the manner in which organic agriculture has developed in the emerging
countries of the European Union, in particular during the current economic crisis.
Organic agriculture represents a continuously expanding sector in the European Union. In the
period 2000-2012, the total utilized area for organic production increased by 6.7% per year on the
average, reaching approximately 9.6 million hectares, accounting for 5.4% of the total utilized
agricultural area in the EU.
The emerging nations in the European Union (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland and Romania) have experienced a brisk development pace in terms of the area farmed under
the organic system, which expanded to 1,614,226 hectares in the period 2009-2012, representing
17% of the total organic land area of the European Union.
Owing to the significant areas farmed under the organic system and to the large number of
registered operators, which also correlate with a low development level of the domestic markets for
organic agricultural products, the emerging nations of the European Union represent an important
source for imports of organic products in the EU.
Key words: organic agriculture, evolution, emerging nations of the European Union.
JEL Classification: Q01, Q17, Q24.
1. INTRODUCTION
Lately, consumers have become increasingly interested in food security, in
particular in healthy food with high nutritional value. There is also an increased
interest in environment protection and conservation of natural resources. In this
context, in recent decades, a number of concepts have emerged related to
“environment-friendly” farming systems, and among them to the organic farming
system. This system should be viewed as an integral part of sustainable development
strategies and as a viable alternative to conventional agriculture (Toader et al.,
2014).
Owing to the constant growth in demand, the global market for organic
products reached 64 billion USD in 2012, out of which the European Union market
accounted for 29 billion USD (Sahota, 2014).
Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, New Series, Year XI, no. 2, p. 167–179, 2014
Ioan Sebastian Brumă 2
168
In the period 2000-2012, the total area utilized for organic production in the
EU countries grew by 6.7% per year on the average, reaching about 10 million
hectares, which accounts for 5.6% of the total utilized agricultural area in the EU
(Willer, 2014).
In 2012, the International Monetary Fund ranked Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary,
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania as emerging economies in the European
Union (IMF, 2012). The domestic market for the sale of organic products is very
limited in these countries, as most organic products produced in these countries are
exported.
As regards the areas under organic farming, these countries have experienced
a brisk pace of development in the period 2009-2012, reaching 1,614,226 hectares
(EUROSTAT), which accounted for 17% of the total organic land area in the
European Union.
2. STATE OF KNOWLEDGE
The scientific research on organic farming systems for various crop species
goes back to the 1930s, yet the first signs of acknowledgment of the production and
commercial activity dates back to 1980, when organic farming was recognized both
by the market and by governments and national and international bodies. The
literature in the field includes a series of research papers that present the findings of
economic research focusing on the organic farming sector.
Drawing on studies from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany,
Denmark and Switzerland, the reputed researchers N. H. Lampkin and S. Padel
published the book The Economics of Organic Farming: An International Perspective
in the year 1994, providing for the first comprehensive international analyses of the
economic aspects of organic farming.
Since the year 2000, FiBL and IFOAM have been implementing a joint
research project, publishing the directory “The World of Organic Agriculture”, a
report coordinated by the distinguished researcher Dr. Helga Willer. This publication,
in addition to statistical data collected as part of the study on organic agriculture
worldwide, provides information on recent developments and trends in organic
farming.
Organic farming in the emerging countries of the European Union is not
distinctly examined in published research papers.
3. MATERIAL AND METHOD
The paper analyses the evolution of the land area farmed under the organic
farming rules and principles in the emerging countries of the European Union.
The working methodology was the in-depth review of published scientific
papers, available international statistical data and the EU programmatic documents
related to organic farming.
3 The Evolution of Organic Agricultural Land Areas
169
The methodological system used for processing the collected information
drew on methods and procedures based on literature review and international and
national statistics.
In order to ensure the appropriate and most effective use of currently
available information on organic agriculture, the technique used, in particular, was
the indirect research, i.e. documentation, which consists of consulting various
research papers, documents provided by various institutions, official acts and
documents, and the internet collection of information.
The analysis operations per se were based on the use of the various research
methods, grouped as follows: methods used to determine the extent of the phenomenon
(comparison method); methods used to study the structure of the phenomenon by
component elements and the interdependence relations among these (division
method); methods for the analysis of phenomena typical of a group of homogenous
units (statistical grouping method). Given the complexity of the analyzed
phenomenon a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis methods was
required for a complete knowledge of findings and for grounding the conclusions.
The calculations were performed using Eurostat databases and statistical
information available in the reports “The World of Organic Agriculture. Statistics
and Emerging Trends”, FiBL and IFOAM, published in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
Organic farming in the emerging countries of the European Union (Bulgaria,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania) is in an early stage of
development, despite the fact that the rules and principles of this type of agriculture
have been applied since ancient times. From the legislative and institutional
standpoint, the organic agriculture sector developed at a fast rate in all the
emerging countries of the European Union, national legislations being harmonized
with European legislation.
As organic farming is a relatively new sector of the European agri-food
economy, the official statistical data are limited. The main indicators specific to
organic farming, present in most international databases and in the reports by
various specialized forums in this field are the following: organic agricultural land
area, the number of registered operators in organic farming (producers, processors
and vendors) and the market value of organic agricultural products.
Given that the domestic market for the sale of organic products in the
emerging countries in the European Union is particularly underdeveloped, as a
result of the low purchasing power, most of the production is exported, mainly to
Western EU countries.
In the context of the growing interest of consumers in the European Union for
organic food, farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and
Romania have begun to shift their attention pn this sector.
The areas farmed under the organic system in these countries have
experienced substantial growth and, in view of the fact that agricultural land is less
Ioan Sebastian Brumă 4
170
polluted with chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the production system applied by
small producers is very close to the certified organic system, while the availability
of labour in rural area is high and can be leveraged in ecological agriculture.
In all the emerging European Union countries, financial assistance provided
to organic producers is substantial and tempting for farmers, which has contributed
to the development of the sector.
To be certified as organic, farmed land areas must undergo a process of conversion
from conventional farming to organic farming and be inspected by an accredited
inspection and certification body. The length of the conversion period varies depending
on the type of crops, as follows: two years for annual field crops, three years for
perennial crops and plantations, and two years for pastures and fodder crops.
The share of organic, certified and under conversion areas in the total utilized
agricultural area (UAA) was on the rise in each EU member state in the period
2009-2012 period (Table 1). Due to the specific characteristic of agriculture in each
emerging country, the share of organic land in total utilized agricultural area is
different, so that in the year 2012 in Estonia 142,065 ha were organically grown,
accounting for 14.9% of the UAA, whereas in Poland 661.956 ha were organically
farmed, i.e. 4.6% of the UAA.
Table 1
Evolution of organic crops area in the emerging countries of the European Union
Country Variable U.M. 2009 2010 2011 2012
Share of total organic crop area* % 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.8
Total organic crops area Ha 12,320 25,647 25,022 39,138
Share of fully converted crop** % 40 49 36 31
Bulgaria
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 60 51 64 69
Share of total organic crop area* % 11.0 12.8 14.1 14.9
Total organic crops area Ha 102,305 121,569 133,779 142,065
Share of fully converted crop** % 74 68 76 84
Estonia
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 26 32 24 16
Share of total organic crop area* % 8.7 9.2 10.1 10.6
Total organic crops area Ha 160,175 166,320 184,095 195,658
Share of fully converted crop** % 88 85 71 74
Latvia
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 12 15 29 26
Share of total organic crop area* % 4.8 5.2 5.4 5.5
Total organic crops area Ha 129,056 143,644 152,306 156,539
Share of fully converted crop** % 82 72 65 73
Lithuania
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 18 28 35 27
Share of total organic crop area* % 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.4
Total organic crops area Ha 140,292 127,605 124,402 130,609
Share of fully converted crop** % 79 76 82 81
Hungary
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 21 24 18 19
Share of total organic crop area* % 2.3 3.3 4.1 4.6
Total organic crops area Ha 367,062 521,970 609,412 661,956
Share of fully converted crop** % 60 59 62 69
Poland
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 40 41 38 31
Share of total organic crop area* % 1.2 1.3 1.6 2.1
Total organic crops area Ha 168,288 182,705 229,946 288,261
Share of fully converted crop** % 50 45 42 36
Romania
Share of crop area under conversion*** % 50 55 58 64
Source: Calculations based on data from EUROSTAT.
*Share of total organic crop area out of total Utilized Agricultural Area.
**Share of fully converted crop area out of total Organic Crops Area.
***Share of crop area under conversion out of total Organic Crops Area.
5 The Evolution of Organic Agricultural Land Areas
171
In most emerging countries, over 70% of organic agricultural land is certified,
being enlarged in the period 2009-2012, which shows that organic farming is
becoming a sector in its own right, not merely a circumstantial option.
4.1. Organic agriculture in Bulgaria
Bulgaria enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by cold and humid
winters, and warm and dry summers. The landscape is mostly mountainous with
lowlands in the north and in the southeast. The total agricultural land area of the
country is 3.8 million hectares, out of which 2.5 million ha is arable land. The
average size of agricultural holdings in Bulgaria is 24 hectares, most farms bein
specialized in one type of activity.
Organic farming is in its early stage of development, the first manifestations
of this concept having emerged in 1993 with the establishment of the first organic
farm at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv (Apostolov 2012).
The share of organic crops areas in Bulgaria is very low, accounting for only
0.8% of the utilized agricultural area in 2012.
Viewed in dynamics, (Table 2), in the period 2010-2012, one can notice that
organic crops areas were stable in 2010 and 2011 for all crops, while in 2012
substantial increases were noticed. The largest share of organic farmland is covered
by annual crops; however it is worth noting that perennial plantations have also
experienced constant growth.
In the year 2012, the areas under the organic farming system amounted to
93,138 ha, out of which the pasture and forage areas had the largest share in total
area, i.e. 58%, followed by cereals with 19%, oilseeds 8% and vineyards with 5%.
Although Bulgaria accounts for the smallest organic crop areas compared to
the other emerging countries in the European Union, the country ranks first in
terms of the area under vineyards and on the third place after Poland and Romania
in terms of the area under fruit trees and shrubs.
Table 2
Evolution of organic crop area in Bulgaria, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 25,647 25,022 39,138
Cereal area Ha. 5,340 6,521 7,533
Temperate fruit area Ha. 1,186 1,440 2,154
Grape area Ha. 1,285 1,455 2.058
Oilseeds area Ha. 1.983 2,587 3,292
Protein crop area Ha. 0 106 48
Vegetable area Ha. 321 584 1,308
Other categories Ha. 15,532 12,329 22,745
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
It is worth highlighting that in the 2012 organic land areas expanded
spectacularly, by about 14,000 hectares compared to 2011, this increase being
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172
generated by the substantial financial support provided by the Government of
Bulgaria to organic producers. The amount of the support ranged from EUR 120/ha
for meadows and pastures to EUR 613 / ha for perennials (Alecu and Alecu 2011).
As part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Program, the European funds
allocated for Bulgaria totalled EUR 241,735 thousand under Measure 214 Agro-
environmental Payments (EC 2005).
4.2. Organic agriculture in Estonia
Estonia is situated in Eastern Europe, having a maritime continental climate,
characterized by mild winters and cool and rainy summers. The landscape features
swamp areas, with partially wooded lowland areas, with plains in the north and
hills in the south. The total agricultural land area of the country is about 1.1 million
hectares, out of which 610,000 hectares arable land. The vast majority of farms are
specialized in field crops and livestock raising, herbivores in particular. The
average area of an agricultural holding is about 40 hectares.
In Estonia organic farming began to develop as early as 1989 with the
establishment of the Biodynamic Association of Estonia (Vetemaa et al. 2012).
Given the specific features of agriculture in Estonia, mainly characterized by
cereal and fodder crops and by herbivorous livestock farming, the areas under the
organic farming system present the same characteristic. In the period 2010-2012,
the organic areas grew steadily by about 10% per year (Table 3). In 2012, the share
of organic land areas in Estonia accounted for 14.9% of the total utilized
agricultural area, placing it first among the emerging countries and second in the
European Union after Austria. In the year 2012, the organic crop areas totalled 142
065 ha, with pasture and forage areas accounting for the largest share of the total
area at 79%, followed by cereal with 17% and oilseeds with 2%.
Table 3
Evolution of organic crop area in Estonia, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 121,569 133,779 142,065
Cereal area Ha. 19,271 20,493 23,626
Temperate fruit area Ha. 415 371 507
Grape area Ha. 0 0 1
Oilseeds area Ha. 1,874 2,091 3,065
Protein crop area Ha. 339 739 1,917
Vegetable area Ha. 105 113 110
Other categories Ha. 99,565 109,972 112,839
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
In general, organic farms in Estonia are mixed farms, combining crops and
livestock farming. The average size of organic farms is about 80 hectares, but there
are also farms whose area exceeds 1,000 hectares (Alecu and Alecu 2011). Most of
the organic farms that are organically certified and under conversion comprise
7 The Evolution of Organic Agricultural Land Areas
173
meadows, followed by cereals, oilseeds and protein crops. Due to the cool climate,
the areas planted with fruit trees and shrubs are very limited, consisting of berries
and buckthorn.
Organic farming in Estonia was financially supported by the European and
governmental programs. Under the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme,
Estonia was allocated European funding totalling EUR 168,710 thousand as part of
Measure 214 Agro-environment (EC 2005).
4.3. Organic agriculture in Latvia
Latvia is located in Eastern Europe, enjoying a temperate maritime climate.
The landscape of the country mainly consists of fertile plains, mostly covered with
pine forests. The Baltic Sea coastline of Latvia is 531 km long.
The total agricultural land area of the country is about two million hectares,
out of which nearly half is arable. The vast majority of farms are specialized in
field crops and livestock husbandry, especially herbivores. The average area of a
farm is about 17 hectares.
Organic farming has been developing since 1989, and the first joint under-
takings in the field were established after 1995 (Tambovceva and Tombovceva
2013). The area farmed in accordance with the rules and principles of organic
agriculture increased each year, reaching approximately 200,000 hectares by the
year 2012 (Table 4), which accounts for 10.6% of the total utilized agricultural area.
Table 4
Evolution of organic crop area in Latvia, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 166,320 184,095 195,658
Cereal area Ha. 26,699 26,257 30,771
Temperate fruit area Ha. 509 534 431
Grape area Ha. 0 0 0
Oilseeds area Ha. 1,144 1,316 877
Protein crop area Ha. 1,008 3,301 3,299
Vegetable area Ha. 244 328 116
Other categories Ha. 136,716 152,359 160,164
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
In 2012, the areas under organic crops totalled 195,658 ha, out of which
pasture and forage areas had the highest share, i.e. 82%, followed by cereals with
16% and protein crops with 2%.
In the period 2010-2012, the highest growth was noticed in protein crops,
three times as high in the year 2012 compared to 2010.
Taking into account the fact that organic land areas cannot expand much in
Latvia, organic producers began to use modern agricultural equipment, which has
contributed to constant growth in agricultural productivity.
The financial assistance from the European Union and the Latvian government
fostered the development of organic farming sector, and increased production led
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to consolidation and a boost in the market for organic products. Under the 2007-
2013 Rural Development Program, Latvia was allocated European funds totalling
EUR 180,055 thousand as part of Measure 214 Agri-environment (EC 2005).
In recent years, cooperatives and organic food processing companies have
been established in Latvia.
4.4. Organic agriculture in Lithuania
Located in Eastern Europe, Lithuania enjoys a transitional, maritime and
continental climate. The landscape consists mostly of plains, as most hills have
been transformed as a result of glacial deposits.
The total agricultural land area of the country stands at 2.1 million hectares,
out of which 1.5 million hectares arable land. The vast majority of farms are
specialized in field crops and livestock husbandry, especially herbivores. The
average farm area is about 12 hectares.
The first initiatives in the field of organic farming date back to 1987.
Teachers from the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture and a number of farmers
established the Lithuanian Association of Organic Agriculture – “Gaja” in 1990
(Pilipavicius 2013).
The organic agricultural area steadily increased in the period 2010-2012
(Table 5), accounting for 5.5% of the UAA in 2012. The average organic farm size
is 39 hectares, three times as high compared to conventional farm area, the largest
organic farm having an area of 700 hectares (Alecu and Alecu 2011).
Among the emerging countries of the European Union, Lithuania ranks first
in terms of area under protein crops and second in terms of oilseed crop area.
In 2012, there were 156,539 ha of agricultural land farmed under the organic
system, out of which cereals accounted for the largest share of the total area, i.e.
43%, followed by pasture and forage crops with 36% and protein crops with 17%.
Over 70% of the area farmed according to the organic rules and principles is
certified as organic, the percentage being on the rise in recent years. This demonstrates
that the organic farming system is stabilized and consolidated in Lithuania.
Table 5
Evolution of organic crop area in Lithuania, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 143,644 152,306 156,539
Cereal area Ha. 64,509 54,321 66,923
Temperate fruit area Ha. 1,332 1.295 865
Grape area Ha. 0 0 0
Oilseeds area Ha. 3,349 2,321 5,513
Protein crop area Ha. 27,754 24,387 26,486
Vegetable area Ha. 16 82 81
Other categories Ha. 46,684 69,900 56,671
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
9 The Evolution of Organic Agricultural Land Areas
175
Lithuania’s accession to the EU is credited for growth that boosts the
conversion from conventional to organic agriculture. The Lithuanian government
provides financial support for the development of organic farming, while under the
2007-2013 Rural Development Program, Lithuania was allocated European funds
totalling EUR 277,035 thousand as part of Measure 214 Agro-environmental
payments (EC 2005).
4.5. Organic agriculture in Hungary
Hungary is located in Central Europe, on the Pannonian Plain and at the foot
of the inner Western Carpathians, at an equal distance from the Atlantic Ocean and
the Ural Mountains and from the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea respectively.
Hungary has a continental climate with hot summers and frequent wind phenomena.
Hungary’s natural characteristics ensure favourable conditions for the
agricultural sector: fertile plains, an advantageous climate and above all significant
water resources. The agricultural area of the country is about 5.3 million hectares,
out of which 3.3 million ha arable land. The average size of agricultural holdings is
29 hectares.
Organic farming began to develop in Hungary as early as 1980, several
organizations being active in this field. The areas farmed under the organic system
grew steadily in the period 2010-2012, to reach 131,000 ha in 2012 (Table 6),
which accounts for 2.4% of the UAA.
In 2012, the area under organic farming totalled 130,609 ha, the pasture and
forage crops accounting for the largest share of the total area with 67%, followed
by grains with 21% and oilseeds with 6%.
Among the emerging countries of the European Union, Hungary ranks
second in terms of areas under oilseeds and vegetable crops.
Table 6
Evolution of organic crop area in Hungary, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 127,605 124,402 130,609
Cereal area Ha. 22,249 23,112 27,030
Temperate fruit area Ha. 1,963 1,783 1,626
Grape area Ha. 1,314 1,207 1,206
Oilseeds area Ha. 7,317 7,439 8,467
Protein crop area Ha. 1,385 1,813 2,417
Vegetable area Ha. 1,388 1,770 1,818
Other categories Ha. 91,989 87,278 88,045
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
Within the 2007-2013 budget, the European Union and the Government of
Hungary boosted the development of organic farming, under the 2007-2013 Rural
Development Program Hungary having been allocated European funds totalling
EUR 873,903 thousand through Measure 214 Agri-environment (EC 2005).
Ioan Sebastian Brumă 10
176
4.6. Organic agriculture in Poland
Located in the north of Central Europe, Poland has a temperate, maritime and
continental type climate, characterized by relatively cold winters and hot summers.
The landscape consists mostly of lowlands.
Poland boasts the largest agricultural area in the region and most farmers,
however the farm size is small (the average size is 7.8 ha at national level, and 3.3 ha
and 16.5 ha respectively in southern Poland and in the northern regions).
In terms of arable land areas, Poland occupies a top position in the European
Union (after France, Spain and Germany), yet on the basis of the soil fertility
index, it is ranked in the “low” to “moderate” range.
Organic farming emerged in Poland in 1980 under the influence of experts
from Demeter Association. In 1989 the Ekoland association was established,
becoming in 1990 full member in the IFOAM (Metera 2005).
The agricultural area farmed according to the rules and principles of organic
farming is on the rise in Poland, increasing by 10% each year in the period 2010-
2012 for all crop categories (Table 7).
The agro-environmental conditions for the development of organic farming
are favourable, as in Poland the use of chemicals in agriculture has always been
lower than in the majority of the other European countries (Alecu and Alecu 2011).
In the year 2012, Poland ranked first among the emerging countries and fifth
in the European Union after Spain, Italy, France and Germany in terms of organic
agricultural area. About 70% of the area is certified as organic.
In 2012, the area farmed under the organic system totalled 661,956 ha, with
pasture and forage areas accounting for most of the total area with 73%, followed
by cereals with 19% and fruit trees and shrubs with 6%.
Compared to the other emerging countries in the European Union, Poland
ranks first in terms of cereal, fruit trees and vegetable crop areas.
Table 7
Evolution of areas under organic crops area in Poland, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 521,970 609,412 661,956
Cereal area Ha. 102,275 109,511 122,817
Temperate fruit area Ha. 17,547 36,792 41,990
Grape area Ha. 96 22 35
Oilseeds area Ha. 2,381 1,315 1,573
Protein crop area Ha. 4,899 4,194 5,698
Vegetable area Ha. 5,200 7,364 9,379
Other categories Ha. 389,572 450,224 480,464
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
The financial support for organic farming in Poland has been very important,
as according to the 2007-2013 Rural Development Program, Poland was allocated
European funds totalling EUR 1,853,000 thousand under Measure 214 Agri-
11 The Evolution of Organic Agricultural Land Areas
177
environment. The European Union assistance is complemented by financial support
provided by the Government of Poland (EC 2005).
4.7. Organic agriculture in Romania
Romania is located in central-south-eastern Europe, its landscape being
characterized by four elements: variety, proportionality, complementarity and
symmetrical arrangement, given the large number of landforms, the approximately
equal distribution of major landscape types (35% mountains, 35% hills and 30%
plateaus and plains) and the grouping of landscape types. The climate is temperate
continental, marked by influences of the steppe climate from the east, Adriatic
from the southwest, oceanic from the west and northwest, all in all preserving the
identity of the climate shaped by the Carpathians, the Black Sea and the Danube.
With a utilized agricultural area of 13.3 million ha (accounting for 55.8% of
the area of the country) in 2010, Romania possesses significant agricultural
resources in Central and Eastern Europe. Although significant areas of the utilized
agricultural area are classified as disadvantaged areas, the soil conditions are
particularly favourable to agricultural production activities in the southern and
western regions of the country. Most of the utilised agricultural area is arable land
(8.3 million ha), followed by pasture and meadows (4.5 mil. ha), permanent crops
(0.3 mil. ha) and kitchen gardens (0.2 mil. ha) (NIS, 2012).
Organic farming has developed very fast in Romania since 1997, following
the establishment of the first association of organic producers known as “Bioterra
Association”. In the period 2010-2012, the organically farmed areas experienced a
weighted average annual growth rate of about 20% (Table 8).
In 2010, the total area farmed according to the organic production methods
stood at 182,705 ha, out of which 55% under conversion and 45% certified organic
area. In 2012, the area under organic crops increased to 288,261 ha on account of
areas under conversion, while only 36% of the area was certified as organic. From
this point of view, Romania ranks second to last among the emerging countries,
ahead of Bulgaria.
In the year 2012, the area farmed under the organic system totalled 288 261
ha, pasture and forage areas having the largest share in total organic area with 45%,
followed by cereals with 36% and oilseeds and protein crops with 16%.
Table 8
Evolution of area under organic crops in Romania, by categories of crops
U.M. 2010 2011 2012
Total area Ha. 182,705 229,946 288,261
Cereal area Ha. 72,297 79,167 105,149
Temperate fruit area Ha. 1,888 2,726 4,668
Grape area Ha. 894 843 1,649
Oilseeds area Ha. 45,521 46,046 43,923
Protein crop area Ha. 5,560 3,147 2,764
Vegetable area Ha. 732 911 893
Other categories Ha. 55,813 97,106 129,215
Source: Calculations based on data from Willer et al. 2012, 2013, 2014 and EUROSTAT.
Ioan Sebastian Brumă 12
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Financial support for organic farming in Romania was important, as under the
2007-2013 Rural Development Program, Romania was allocated European funds
totalling EUR 817,055 thousand under Measure 214 Agri-environment (EC 2005).
5. CONCLUSIONS
Organic farming in the emerging countries in the European Union experienced
significant growth in the period 2010-2012 as regards the area farmed according to
the organic farming rules and principles. The financial support provided by the
European Union through specific financing measures, laid down in the 2007-2013
Rural Development Program, alongside with governmental assistance, noticeably
contributed to the development of this sector in all investigated countries. The
diversification of organically grown crops was boosted through grants awarded by
species.
In the future, organic farming is expected to develop even more in these
countries, while improvements in the sector involved in processing the organic
production are also expected.
The European Commission, by the adoption of the Action Plan for the Future
of Organic Production in the European Union in 2014, outlined very clearly the
goals for the development and especially the consolidation of the organic farming
sector in all European Union member states.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This paper is supported by the Sectoral Operational Program Human Resources
Development (SOP HRD), financed from the European Social Fund and by the
Romanian Government under the contract number POSDRU/159/1.5/133675.
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