Organic farming developments in Romania for the 2019–2023 Period

Organic farming is an important branch of the agricultural sector, contributing to sustainable development and the responsible use of natural resources in order to preserve them for future generations. By producing high-quality food with a low environmental impact, this type of agriculture plays an important role in developing a sustainable agri-food system in the European Union.

In 2021, the European Commission adopted an action plan to support the goal that, by 2030, at least 25% of the European Union’s agricultural land be farmed organically and to develop organic aquaculture. These objectives are set out in the “Farm to Fork” Strategy and the European Union Biodiversity Strategy. In this context, Member States have established ambitious national targets for the development of organic farming and the integration of these objectives into the strategic plans of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The agricultural area used for organic crops saw a steady increase of approximately 76% between 2019 and 2023, rising from 395,228 ha in 2019 to 693,998 ha in 2023. This growth is due to farmers’ increasing interest in organic farming practices, easy access to European funds and subsidies for organic farming, as well as the continuously growing demand for certified organic products, both on the domestic and international markets.

In Romania, the organic agri-food sector is in a developmental stage, characterized by a continuously growing production potential that remains underutilized in the domestic market. Favorable natural conditions, extensive agricultural land, and farmers’ growing interest in sustainable practices contribute to the expansion of organic farming. However, the development of this sector is limited by relatively low domestic demand, which fails to absorb the entire available production.

An important factor influencing this low demand is the higher prices of organic products compared to conventional ones, as well as consumers’ insufficient awareness of their benefits. Although interest in a healthy lifestyle is growing, this is not yet fully reflected in consumer behavior, as many consumers are opting for more affordable products.

The distribution of organic products is carried out mainly through retail channels, particularly through supermarket and hypermarket chains, which are constantly expanding their offerings. These include both products from established brands and those sold under private labels, thereby contributing to increased accessibility and visibility of organic products. However, a large portion of the products available on store shelves are imported.

A significant aspect of the Romanian market is the imbalance between exports and imports. Romania mainly exports organic raw materials, such as grains, seeds, or other unprocessed agricultural products, while it imports certified organic finished products, which have higher added value. This situation highlights the lack of adequate processing infrastructure at the national level, as well as the limited capacity to transform raw materials into competitive finished products.

The sector’s underdevelopment is also due to the relatively small number of certified organic producers, as the certification process is costly and sometimes difficult for small farmers to access. Furthermore, the fragmentation of farms hinders the organization of production and efficient integration into distribution chains.

Analyzing the total number of certified organic operators over 2019-2023, their number increased from 9821 in 2019 to 14061 in 2023, representing a growth of approximately 43%.

Growth in areas and operators can be attributed to growing demand for organic products, driven by health concerns, subsidies, and support from the European Union through the Common Agricultural Policy, which made the conversion attractive, as well as improved profitability and access to markets, including exports. Thus, most farmers have switched to organic farming because it has become more demanded and economically advantageous.

In conclusion, Romania has considerable potential in the field of organic farming, but its realization remains limited by factors such as lower domestic demand, underdeveloped infrastructure, and fragmented production. To ensure the sector’s sustainable development, measures are needed such as stimulating domestic consumption, investing in processing capacity, supporting producers in obtaining organic certification, and creating more efficient supply chains.