Organic farmers, younger more than average and in addition, also more women. followed from now on Organic Sector Annual Report 2022It also highlights the economic importance that this activity has begun to gain over the past year. 723.9 million billed euro in autonomy.
“The ecological sector of the Valencian Community is unraveling two historical problems what the agricultural sector has: lack generational relaxation And women’s union“, stressed the acting Minister of Agriculture, isaura navarro, during the presentation of the document prepared in conjunction with the Valencia Community Organic Agriculture Committee (CAECV). Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Region, Roger Llanes; Deputy Director General of Rural Development, David Torresand the CAECV president, Vincent Faro.
According to data compiled by this organization, the average age of people participating in a certified organic activity 48 yearsduring 64 years in conventional production. Moreover, 30% Organic producers certified by CAECV they are women, this means a 26% increase in women’s participation in the ecological sector in two years.
On the other hand, the turnover of the sector increased from 153.2 million Euros in 2015 to 723.9 in 2022, 372% more. Moreover, at this point there is “a wealth creation widely dispersed throughout the region, as ecological agriculture is present.” in 92% of municipalities Valencian Community. In other words, 501 of the 542 municipalities that make up our region have some form of organic agriculture, which is a great tool against the decline of rural population,” he said.
In this line, the minister also said, “In the last 10 years, the certified area in Spain has grown by 50%, while in the Community of Valencia we have increased it by 129.2%, From 67,084 certified hectares in 2012 to 153,779 hectares we now have“Thus, the area allocated to organic agriculture in the autonomous region represents 6.6% of the total agricultural area and 20.5% of the useful agricultural area. 127,636 hectares of the total certified area corresponds to dry agriculture, and the rest 26,143 hectares to irrigated agriculture. .
The number of operators increased by 5.5% compared to the previous year and increased by 116% in the last 10 years to 4,258. In addition, the number of certified importers, which was 23 in 2012, increased to 100 in 2022.
Regarding the sales target, in 2022 64 percent of organic products were exported36% was consumed internally.
main products
As for the regions that are most important in the organic sector, if we talk about the certified area, the main ones are; Utiel – Requena, Rincón de Ademuz, Els Ports, El Comtat and Alt Palància.
On the other hand, if we look at the types of cultivation, viticulture dominates in Utiel – Requena and in Medio Vinalopó. Walnut production is mainly concentrated in this region and Alto Vinalopó; certified organic olive groves are located in Alt Vinalopó and Baix Maestrat; Grain production is concentrated in the interior of the Community, largely in the regions of Plana d’Utiel – Requena, La Vall de Cofrens – Ayora and Alto Vinalopó; Citrus production, mostly lemons, in the Vega Baja region; fruits in Ribera Alta, La Costera, La Vall d’Albaida, L’Alcoià and Baix Vinalopó; and most recently vegetable growing in l’Horta, Alt Vinalopó, l’Alacantí, Baix Vinalopó and La Vega Baja.