2007 Press Releases
Global organic production is growing rapidly, as is consumer demand
GREENFIELD, Massachusetts (Feb. 16, 2007) --The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased to see the growth of organic agriculture globally, as reflected in a report released today at BioFach 2007 in Germany by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the Foundation for Ecology and Farming (SÖL).
According to The World of Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2007, nearly 31 million hectares are currently certified as organic, with the global market for organic products reaching 25.5 billion Euros in 2005. Leading markets are in North America and Europe, according to the report.
A proud member of IFOAM, OTA contributed to the 2007 report by providing the North American chapter. The final global report points to the continued growth in consumer demand for organic products throughout the world, and for the need for more organic ingredients to meet that demand. According to the report, shortages are most evident in North America.
"OTA continues to look for ways to encourage additional producers to help fill that demand. That is why OTA is making such an effort to include provisions to encourage organic production in the United States in the next U.S. Farm Bill," according to Caren Wilcox, OTA's Executive Director.
More information about the report will soon be available at www.ifoam.org and www.fibl.org.
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment. As a membership-based business association, OTA focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA's nearly 1,600 members include farmers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and more. For further information, visit OTA's web site at www.ota.com.
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