Spain: Largest organic area in Europe

Andalusia, with a share of 60 % of the total organic land (more than 780,000 hectares), is the country’s major organic region. In 2008, in Castilla-La Mancha, the area of organic land grew by 147 % and the region is now the second largest autonomous region in the country, with almost 120,000 hectares under organic cultivation. In 2007, the organic food market was worth 200 million euros, with the annual  per capita spend on organic food coming to about 8 euros in 2006.
 
In 2008, there were more than 23,000 certified organic companies, an increase of 16 % on the previous year, with more than 21,000 producers, 2,168 processors and marketers, 81 importers and 380 trading companies like wholesalers, store keepers and distributors. Since the majority of organic products are sold in loose bulk or as raw materials to be processed and packaged abroad, the result is a considerable reduction in profitability and a lower added value for the country. Catalonia, with 441 producers, has 120 distributing companies of the 380 listed in the official statistics. Andalusia, with close to 400 processors, has most of the oil mills in the country. Andalusia is also a leader in processing and packaging fruit and vegetables.

Of the total organic land in the country, most (around 850,000 hectares) is dedicated to forests and meadows. Crops and legumes are cultivated on more than 130,000 ha and olives are grown on more than 100,000 hectares. The most important products from Spain are extra virgin olive oil, fruit and vegetables, followed by dried fruit and grape products. Regarding animal husbandry, more than 3,800 companies are certified organic, which is an increase of 25 % compared with the previous year. Close to 1,700 companies specialise in cattle, with 1,600 concentrating on meat and the rest on milk.
 

Regulation was formally introduced in 1989, based on the guidelines on the Denomination of Origin. In 1991, EEC Council Regulation 2092/91 was passed and applied and the organic committees, one for each autonomous region in Spain, were responsible for  implementation and supervision. In the 90s, when more producers adopted organic guidelines, organic associations appeared and encouraged the sector to restructure.
 
More information about the organic market in Europe can be found in: "The Specialised Organic Retail Report Europe 2008". The report gives a very good survey on all European countries including the non EU-countries. It can be ordered for 260 Euros: Ecozept, Phone: + 49 (0) 8161-14820, Fax: + 49 (0) 8161-148222