Is there room for more organic farming in Wallonia?

The market for organic products in Belgium is already more developed in Wallonia than in Flanders. Nevertheless, the Walloon government has ambitions to allow the organic sector to grow further. Is there room for that too?

In Wallonia, 12% of the acreage is organic and 15% of the farms. According to information from Agrobericht Buitenland, Wallonia accounts for a total of 91% of Belgian organic farming. Nevertheless, the choice for organic production is not a matter of course for the Walloon farmer. Lack of knowledge, insufficient labor force, climate change, saturation of the organic market and competition from abroad form an obstacle for many companies.

Saturation is lurking
The Walloon market for organic products is now showing signs of saturation. In 2016, organic farmers and horticulturists were not yet able to meet the full consumer demand. At that time there was only an oversupply for beef. There is now also an oversupply of eggs because the number of organic laying hens has doubled in 3 years. And the market for vegetables and potatoes is also under some pressure due to the large supply. Overproduction leads to sharper price negotiations with customers and often also to higher quality requirements, for example in terms of shape and size.

Market barely growing
The market share of organic products in Belgium amounted to 2020% in 3,4. That is almost the same as a year earlier. In Wallonia, the share amounted to 4,9%, while Flanders remained at 2,2%. According to Agricultural Office Belgium, the differences have several causes. The Walloons have traditionally had a stronger bond with the region, making regional and local products more popular in Wallonia. Walloon agriculture is more nationally oriented, there are relatively many points of sale for organic products and the area is generally less urbanized. What is also striking, according to the agricultural office, is that the Walloons cite 'health' as ​​the main reason for buying organic products. For example, the Dutch are more likely to choose organic for environmental reasons.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

He is a market specialist in grains and other agricultural commodities at DCA Market Intelligence. He also focuses on onions, potatoes, and roughage. Jurphaas also runs an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland).

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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