Organic farming continues to play a crucial role in health, well-being, and sustainability, influencing all aspects of life from daily nutrition to school and hospital catering. During the sixth edition of “Organic Revolution”, held on February 24, 2025, at SANA Food, experts discussed strategies to strengthen the sector and make organic products more accessible to consumers.
Growth and Market Opportunities
The event, organized by BolognaFiere in collaboration with FederBio and AssoBio, featured institutions, industry experts, and market operators, supported by Nomisma under the “Being Organic in EU” project.
During the session “Italian Organic Market and Policies for the Sector,” speakers Delizia Del Bello (MASAF), Silvia Zucconi (Nomisma), and Veronica Cecchini (ISMEA) presented key data:
- The modern retail sector reached €2.2 billion in organic sales in 2024, marking a +4.4% growth from the previous year.
- 93% of Italians aged 18-65 consumed at least one organic product, with nearly 8 out of 10 choosing organic outside the home.
- According to ITA.BIO data, 40% of food & wine companies view organic certification as essential for expanding into foreign markets, particularly in Germany, France, Scandinavia, and the U.S..
Strategies for a More Competitive Organic Sector
A roundtable discussion, moderated by AssoBio president Nicoletta Maffini, featured key industry figures, including Agriculture Undersecretary Luigi D’Eramo, Maria Grazia Mammuccini (FederBio), Eduardo Cuoco (IFOAM Organics Europe), and leaders from CIA-Agricoltori Italiani, Confcooperative, and Coldiretti.
The panelists highlighted the steady growth of organic farming, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthy, local, and sustainable food. Maffini emphasized:
“There is optimism for the sector’s recovery, particularly for Made in Italy organic products, which will soon receive official recognition from the Ministry. However, fair pricing must be ensured throughout the supply chain, from farm to table, while also recognizing the value organic consumers bring by prioritizing health and sustainability.”
Francesco Torriani (Confcooperative Fedagripesca) stressed the need for stronger supply chain integration:
“If we can empower producers and integrate processing and distribution phases, we can offer more competitive prices while ensuring fair remuneration for farmers and affordability for consumers.”
Torriani also highlighted the importance of investment in innovation and research, calling for:
- Crop varieties adapted to organic farming
- Stronger networks among organic businesses to prevent market fragmentation and enhance product distinctiveness
Organic in Public Catering: A Growing Priority
The afternoon session focused on the role of organic food in public catering, particularly in schools and hospitals.
“A healthy organic diet benefits every stage of life,” said Maffini, referencing findings from the IMOD (Italian Mediterranean Organic Diet) project and the “Il Bio dentro di noi” campaign.
The campaign, presented in November at the Italian Parliament, highlights research from Tor Vergata University, showing that a Mediterranean organic diet:
- Improves gut microbiota
- Reduces inflammatory bacteria by up to 50%
- Leads to weight loss in study participants
The Future of Organic: Synergies and Investments
Italy’s organic market now exceeds €10 billion in domestic and export sales, reinforcing its global leadership. However, to sustain growth, industry leaders emphasized the need for:
- Integrated supply chains
- Greater investment in research and development
- Effective consumer communication to enhance awareness of Italian organic excellence
The “Organic Revolution” event reaffirmed that stronger collaboration across production, processing, and distribution can make organic food more accessible, competitive, and impactful for both human health and the environment.
