Brazil’s prospects for organics

The legislation for organic production is a very important step that will allow the organic market in Brazil to be secure and give it strength in the following years. Decree 6.323 was enacted in 27 December 2007. At the end of 2009, adequacy measures will be implemented. They are needed from all individuals or legal entities that produce, transport, commercialize or store organic products.

“The development of the market in Brazil has been clear and the opportunities with the new legislation will make it even better,” says Alvaro Werneck from Planeta Orgânico, the Brazilian internet-platform for organic businesses and co-organizer of the trade fair BioFach América Latina, which takes place in São Paulo at the end of October. “One can conclude that the great challenge of the organic production sector in Brazil today is to adjust to the demand of the domestic market - the consumers of which have been favourable and increasing in number – making organic products a viable market reality. Reaching large-scale production with competitive prices is a critical factor for this segment’s success, in addition to the sales and distribution challenges to be overcome,” Mr Werneck continues. (picture: Also small shops offer organic food)
 

But the government wants to support the development of the organic market: In January 2008, the Brazilian federal government launched the Agriculture and Livestock Plan, allocating 1 billion reais (639.3 million US $ at the time) for farmers who adhere to sustainability programs of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The aim was to devise sustainable solutions for national agriculture and propagate socially just agribusinesses that respect natural resources, the online-magazine brazzilmag.com reports. The sector took a large leap forward in 2007, when the Decree 6.323 was issued. The creation of a bank for basic seeds of leguminous plants, to be used in green fertilization, was another successful initiative. Established in 2007, the bank has already produced 16 tons of seeds. (picture: Brazil offers a broad assortment of vegetables, fruits and raw materials)

Tereza Cristina Saminêz, the acting coordinator of Agro ecology of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply promises that certified organic products with the new label will soon arrive at supermarket-shelves. In the next months, a federal government stamp will allow consumers to identify organic products. Saminêz emphasized that organic agriculture is important to the economy of Brazil, mainly regarding social and environmental aspects. Producers have time until to December 28, 2009 to adapt to the system, as the decree regulating organic products, published in December 2007, established a grace period of two years for farmers to adapt. (picture: Shop of Mundo Verde, a natural supermarket chain)

The main national project in the organic sector is Organics Brasil, an association of the Brazilian organic sector. In 2008, exports of the associates (64 companies) represented over 58 million US $, just as a result of the participation in the international exhibitions BioFach Nuremberg, BioFach America (USA) and BioFach Japan. (picture: the offical logo for organic products)
 

The growth of organic agriculture area is eminent. In 2001, Brazil had 275 million hectares of land with organic certification. In 2006, this area reached 842 million hectares, representing a growth of 25 % p.a. Preliminary data indicates a growth of the certificated area in 2007. In November 2007, Organics Brasil conducted a research in cooperation with the certifying bodies allowed to export. A total of 932.120 hectares were confirmed for organic certification and an additional 7.114.300 hectares of “extrativismo” (wood and non-wood products obtained from forests). (picture: Organic farm near Rio de Janeiro)