June 12, 2012

France's organic land to beat one million hectares in 2012

The organic agricultural area of France will surpass one million hectares this year, according to the latest figures of l'Agence Bio.

At the end of 2011 France had 23,135 organic companies, 12% more than in 2010. And 4.5% of the French companies produced organically out of a total of 965,141 hectares.

After the record year 2010, the organic area increased by another 130,000 hectares in 2011. This means an increase of 15.3%. And thanks to 811 new organic producers the total of 1,000,000 hectares has been exceeded.

"To reach this symbolic boundary confirms the double figure growth of the organic branch since 2010" Elizabeth Mercier of l'Agence Bio reacts. 

The aim of the organic agricultural share of 6% will, however, not be reached. With a share of a little over 3.5% the present share is still far from that.

Some productions are further along than others. The share of organic fruit for instance represents almost 12% of the area in this sector, legumes even 25% and vines more than 7%. This contrary to the organic share of 1.61% of the grain area.