Biofach Congress: Highlights for the specialist trade

The congress of the double trade fair Biofach and Vivaness will take place in Nuremberg, Germany, from July 26 to July 29. It will cover the latest trends and news of the organic market. 

This year, the congress' focus is "Organic.Climate.Resilience". Questions like "How does organic make food production more resilient and climate-friendly?" will be raised. In addition, there will be forums on sustainability, politics, science and agriculture.

Events specifically for the organic trade will be covered by the "Forum Fachhandel" in hall 9, where impulse-givers will discuss how the organic trade can be successful despite the current crisis. 

From the around hundred different events that will take place, we picked some that international visitors should not miss. Here's the overview.

Tuesday, July 26

Organic targets in the shadow of war. How does the military conflict agricultural policies of the CEE region?

The Organic Action Plan of the EU sets ambitious goals to reach till 2030. How are the common objectives translated in CEE countries’ CAP strategic plans? How does the Russian-Ukrainian conflict affect these policies? And how do related policies of neighboring non-EU countries react? This high-level policy session will provide answers from firsthand, by CEE countries’ leading policy makers.

Room Istanbul, 11:30-13:00

The European Market for Organic Food (on site and live stream)

At this session, we will present the latest data on the European organic market for selected countries (France, Germany, Italy, UK) as well as a European overview. More information: www.organic-world.net.

Room Seoul, 12:00-13:00

Policy Day: A new policy and regulatory framework for organics, opportunities and challenges

During the session we will inter alia discuss the CAP national strategic plans’ alignment with the Farm to Fork strategy and its potential for the development of organic. A special focus will also be given to the New EU Organic Regulation, how it fits to the new political ambitions and its implementation in the EU and beyond also in view of re-negotiation trade and organic equivalency agreements.

Room Tokio, 16:30-18:00

Pesticide residues along the organic value chain, challenges and recommendations for action (on site and live stream)

Results from the BÖLN project "Pesticide Findings along the organic value chain" will be presented and among others the following questions highlighted: Which active substances pose a particular contamination risk to the organic value chain? What are the effects of atmospheric background pollution on vegetation samples and organic products? How are residues handled by operators and in the context of organic controls?

Room Kiew, 17:00-18:00

Wednesday, July 27

Organic and Plant-Based Foods: Market Opportunities (on site and live stream)

Plant-based is one of the fastest growing sectors in the food industry. This seminar gives an overview of the European market for plant-based foods. The market trends & developments will be highlighted, including the similarities and differences with the organic food market. The opportunities for organic food enterprises will be highlighted in this fast growing market.

Room Istanbul, 10:00-10:45

Organic farming in Ukraine 5 months after the beginning of the war – status quo and outlook

Receiving up-to-date information about the situation of the organic sector in Ukraine. International markets are highly dependable on supply of organic raw materials from Ukraine. Trade needs to know what can be expected product- and quantity-wise of harvest 2022 from Ukraine. Companies also want to learn how the organic movement in Ukraine can presently best be supported. Expect first-hand information from Ukrainian stakeholders.

Room Tokio, 13:00-14:15

US & EU policy initiatives on climate change: areas for collaboration

Experts from the U.S. and E.U. will discuss current policy initiatives from their respective governments that aim to combat climate change. Each speaker will give a brief presentation on current U.S. and E.U. climate policies that include agriculture. The session moderator will lead a discussion on U.S. – E.U. policy collaboration, followed by audience Q & A.

Room St. Petersburg, 14:15-15:00

Thursday, July 28

The future of certification in organic: a new organic regulation, a target for 25 % organic land: what impact on organic certification system? (on site and live stream)

The Commission's Farm to Fork strategy calls for an EU target of 25% organic land by 2030, leading to significant growth of organic certified surfaces. Meanwhile, new technologies and the current pandemic are shaping the usual organic certification system toward a remote one. Therefore, representatives from the organic movement will discuss the future of organic certification.

Room Tokio, 11:30-13:00

Could the food systems summit live up to expectations? Snapshot of the global landscape after almost a year?

The global policy and consultative process called the UN Food System Summit in 2021 held the hope for a new deal on food. Can the Coalitions formed as a result, such as the one on Agroecology, deliver better on the SDGs? How can the organic movement get engaged and leverage the outcomes of this process? Join IFOAM – OI and partners for a review and a discussion on future prospects.

Room Istanbul, 15:45-16:30

The congress also covers other exciting topics: From raising organic dairy cows to sustainable packaging to vegan seafood. It's worth taking a look. Some events will also be streamed live. The full programm of the Biofach and Vivaness Congress is available here.