The recent agreement between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the European Union (EU) to harmonize organic certification programs will make it easier for US organic growers to ship produce to Europe. Although the effect of the agreement will not take effect until this summer and it's not clear the degree of the impact, growers are optimistic about the possibilities this move will open up.
The agreement was announced last week and it will allow produce certified as organic in the United States to be considered organic in Europe. Previously, produce exported to Europe had to meet EU organic certification in order to be considered organic, even if it was certified organic by the USDA.
Responding to the news, Addie Pobst of CF Fresh, said that it's big news, but the degree of change that will take place is yet to be seen.
“The agreement will certainly lower some of the costs of certification, it will cut down on paperwork and it will streamline things,” says Pobst, “but all of those things are difficult to predict as to how they will exactly play out.”
She says that, although it's still early to tell, it might encourage organic growers who previously did not want to deal with additional certification guidelines to consider exporting to Europe.
Stemilt Growers, an organic fruit grower based in Wenatchee, Washington, expect their exports to Europe to increase next season.
“We think harmonization is a good thing,” says Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director at Stemilt.
He says that Stemilt has organic product which the European market wants, and this agreement will make it easier for European consumers to get access to their fruit.
“It's a perfect marriage of supply and demand,” he says, “we're looking to develop a market over there.”
As to the precise increase in exports to Europe next season, Pepperl admits they're not yet sure, but he does anticipate an increase.
“This decision will cause us to export more,” he says, “and the numbers could be big.”