Doctors and experts at the bedside of Organic Farming in Bologna

At SANA/Slow Wine in Bologna (February 23-25, 2025), industry experts gathered to assess the state of organic farming. While the sector remains under close observation, data suggests a slow recovery, despite persistent challenges.

Organic Growth: Signs of Improvement

According to Nomisma, Italy’s domestic organic market surpassed €6.5 billion in 2024, marking a +5.7% increase from 2023, while exports reached €3.9 billion (+7%). Overall, the Italian organic market exceeded €10.4 billion, reflecting growth in both value and volume.

Despite this progress, organic food still accounts for just 3% of total food consumption in Italy. Italians spend €66 per capita on organic products annually, compared to the EU average of €104, with Germany at €191 and France at €176. This highlights Italy’s untapped potential for market expansion.

Challenges and Missed Solutions

Experts addressed key structural issues, including:

• Market fragmentation and the need for stronger supply chain integration
• Regulatory burdens discouraging new organic operators
• Misguided policies, such as a proposed national organic label adding unnecessary bureaucracy

“Organic is already recognized globally, with EU certification ensuring transparency. There’s no need to overload producers with additional national labels,” experts argued.

Additionally, Italy’s strict regulations (on non-compliance penalties, bureaucratic hurdles, and residue limits) are deterring new entrants. According to Assocertbio, the number of organic producers stagnated in 2024, and conversion rates remain low, despite demand for certain products—such as organic soft wheat—exceeding supply.

Key Takeaways: The Future of Italian Organic

• Stronger Producer Organizations (POs): Experts stressed the need for dedicated organic POs, backed by structured operational plans similar to those in the EU Fruit & Vegetable Market (OCM).
• Efficient supply chains: Investment should prioritize processed organic products to increase added value and foster innovation.
• Public policies: The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should support market-driven production, rather than subsidizing unproductive land.
• Retail sector’s absence: With 64% of organic sales controlled by large-scale retail (GDO), experts highlighted the urgent need for supermarket chains to reinvest in organic to boost domestic consumption.

From Diagnosis to Treatment

While experts provided in-depth diagnoses of the sector’s weaknesses, clear solutions and strategies were lacking. If Italy’s organic sector is to achieve its full potential, stakeholders must move beyond temporary fixes and implement long-term, sustainable reforms.

Fabrizio Piva