Organic

Peru: Arequipa and Moquegua farmers export aromatic herbs to Switzerland
Forty tons of organic aromatic herbs are exported annually to Switzerland by farmers from the departments of Arequipa and Moquegua in southern Peru, said Jose Lombardi, executive director of NGO El Taller which supports this agricultural initiative.He said that the most produced herbs in Arequipa are..... 0 comments

Turnover of organic products in Germany falls
The market research company Gfk states that the turnover of organic products in Germany fell by 4% in the first 6 months of 2009 in comparison to the same period last year. At discounters the fall was 6%. The prices of the products fell by 7%. Gfk thinks that due to the economic crisis consumers chose..... 0 comments

UK: Organic Alliance expands Food Safety Program
Organic Alliance has expanded its food safety and quality program to include newly expanded global markets. The company said that in order to help support implementation it has entered into an agreement with Lighthouse Food Safety and Quality to serve as Organic Alliance’s partner resource for food safety,..... 0 comments

Vietnam: HCM City land best for organics
HCM City has about 2,500ha suitable for producing organic vegetables, accounting for 90 per cent of total area for vegetable cultivation, according to the steering committee for organic vegetable development.The city will still have more than 380ha of land that is not suited to producing organic vegetables..... 0 comments

Alnatura: Organics
"Germans to go organic because of climate"
The slowing growth in the market for organic food has less influence on the eco-retail trade than on that of conventional food, according toGötz Rehnof Alnatura. The most important reason is that organic customers "Will have a look", they expect a 'holistic approach' from the trade and demand..... 0 comments

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NZ: Samoa’s agriculture ministry welcomes organic produce venture
Samoa’s agriculture ministry says growing organic produce is a good option for families having to rebuild their livelihoods after the tsunami.Many affected families that used to settle on the coast have moved further inland and are turning to growing organic produce for export.The organisation, Women in..... 0 comments

Fight poverty with Organic Agriculture!
Organic farmers from around the globe observe the World Food Security Summit
Starvation is not a question of world food production but of the poverty of the hungry. Most of them live in rural areas and, if not deprived of access to local natural resources, they could make their livelihoods with Organic Agriculture. World food security summit strategies in Rome ignore Organic..... 0 comments

British organic produce is safer than French
According to the 2008 annual report of the British Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC), 6.2% of samples of organic produce sold in Britain contained pesticide residues, against 21.7% of organic products sold in France in 2008, as set in the note of the French Directorate General for Competition, Consumption..... 0 comments


Export of CARMEL's prestigious organic pepper team is underway
Agrexco's organic pepper band starts its marketing tour
Members of the organic band include the organic Ramiro, organic green pepper, red- yellow- orange and green pepper, organic Chili pepper, Sweet Bite pepper and many more, all of them parading in a festive of colours, shapes and tastes.The organic Ramiro is marketed around the clock. Ramiro is a unique pepper..... 0 comments

Organic Coconut comes a close second in Tesco Innovation Award
Blue Skies has come second in the Tesco Innovation Award at the World Fruit and Vegetable expo in London. The event which took place between the 21st and 22nd of October was attended by a team from Blue Skies who exhibited a range ofproducts on one of over 100 stands at the show.In total nineteen companies..... 0 comments

US: UNL wins organic agriculture grants
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has won nearly $1.5 million in federal grants to explore issues in organic agriculture.The money in the two grants is part of more than $19 million in grants awarded to universities across the country. The grants were announced Friday.Deputy Secretary of Agriculture..... 0 comments

Canada: Organic veggies might be scarce
Organic produce will likely be pricier this winter and some vegetable bins could even be empty because the Canadian border is now closed to "organic" veggies containing sodium nitrate, the organics industry is warning.But the sector is split on whether the development is a good thing for consumers.The use of..... 0 comments

Namibia: Training in organic farming
The Namibian Organic Association (NOA) has trained 22 farmers and 17 students of the Krumhuk Agricultural Training Centre on the use of effective micro-organisms (EM) in agriculture recently.EM consists of mixed cultures of beneficial and naturally occurring micro-organisms that can be applied as inoculants..... 0 comments

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EU: Workshop on low input/organic agriculture, Brussels, Belgium
European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) will hold a workshop on 'Low input/organic agriculture: the farm of tomorrow?' on 30 November in Brussels, Belgium.The overall objective of the workshop is to identify the need and potential for a structured COST initiative on low input/organic..... 0 comments

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UK: Norfolk organic grower finds a booming marketplace in London
'Blas bor, thas gud', reads the hand made sign which stands next to David Barker's organic fruit and vegetable stall which he and wife Jane set up at the Queens Park farmers' market in London every Sunday.It's a sign which the customers clearly agree with, although it has caused a little confusion among some..... 0 comments

Organic crops generate 33,000 jobs in Peru
Peru's Agriculture Minister, Adolfo de Cordova, reported that the farming of organic crops is currently generating at least 33,000 jobs for farmers nationwide, in a total area of 273,000 certified hectares.The interest in organic crops has been increasing during the last few years, because farmers have come..... 0 comments

US: The right cover crops can optimize organic production
Using cover crops to improve soil and manage pests has become an integral part of many organic farming systems, especially with the cost of approved organic fertilizers and other materials suitable for organic production agriculture.Long-term success in organic agriculture requires optimizing the natural..... 0 comments

US: Organic certification is all in the record-keeping
Behind the lettuce, beans and zucchini that sit in bins at Amanda Gervais’s farmstand was a lot of planning and paperwork.Before the heads of broccoli and Swiss chard ever emerged from the ground, Gervais had to document their origin, feed and caring. She has maps that prove she rotated the crops from the..... 0 comments

India: Organic farming takes a steady leap with a growth rate of 39% in the country
The area under organic farming is witnessing a steady growth with a growth rate of 39% during 2008-2009. It is predicted to touch 20 lakh hectares by 2012 from the current 12 lakh hectares, as told by president Mukesh Gupta of the International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA)."We are..... 0 comments

South Africa: Exploring the conditions for enhancing trade in organic vegetables
Conditions for enhancing the trade in organic products between the Netherlands and the Republic of South Africa were assessed by means of a SWOT analysis, based on information acquired through interviews and desk research. There is a large potential to enhance the trade in organic products between the two..... 0 comments

UK: Poor farmers escape poverty by going organic, says Progressio
As debate rages in Britain about the relative benefits of organic food, international development charity Progressio says that 'going organic' is changing the lives of poor farmers and their families across the developing world.Following a recent report by the UK's Food Standards Agency, which suggested that..... 0 comments

France, troubled organic melon campaign
The 2009 French organic melon campaign stayed stable, despite a delayed starting in imports from Senegal, Morocco and Spain that caused overlapping on the market at the beginning of June.26/08/2009 13:28In an interview released to the French magazine Végétable at the end of July, Yakouta Yousfi of Pronatura..... 0 comments

US: Organic farming a challenge in North Alabama
Although the market for organic farming is growing, it’s been a bit slower to catch on in North Alabama.“Organic farming is growing in popularity,” said Doug Chapman, Regional Extension Agent. “But it is extremely difficult in the Southeast.”The climate in the Southeast makes it an ideal place to grow many..... 0 comments

UK: Consumers are still supporting organic food, says IGD
Nearly one in five (19%) of all UK shoppers are remaining loyal to organic food and drink and they are maintaining their expenditure, according to new consumer research out today from the IGD grocery industry think-tank.A further 9% say they will buy more organic food when they have a bit more money to..... 0 comments

India: Nagaland signs MoU to promote organic agri-business
With an attempt to promote organic agri-business in the state and discourage the farming community to use chemical fertilizers, the Nagaland government has signed an MoU with the Bangalore-based International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA).As part of the ongoing Organic Cluster Project,..... 0 comments

China Organic Agriculture, Inc. second quarter 2009 financials
China Organic Agriculture, Inc., a global diversified food products company engaged in the trading and distribution of agricultural products head quartered in the Liaoning province in China, today announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. Financial Highlights of the..... 0 comments

India: Farmers reaping it rich through organic farming in Assam
Organic farming is catching up among the farmers in Assam, who have traditionally been using manure with inorganic and synthetic fertilisers.However, of late, the use of inorganic chemical fertilisers has almost come to a standstill.Climate wise, the fertile land of Assam is suitable for cultivation of rice,..... 0 comments

Negros Oriental agri office supports selective ban of GMOs
Due to the growing demand for food supply, Provincial Agriculturist Gregorio Paltinca said he supports moves to regulate the entry of genetically modified organisms in the province rather than its total ban.In a recent forum here, Mexican scientist Dr. Camilo Beltran of the Centre for Integrated Research in..... 0 comments

UK: Grow organic fruit and veg
It's National Allotment Week and Garden Organic Ryton, home to the UK’s leading organic growing charity, has been keeping its fruit and veg gardens in tip top shape for visitors.The ten-acre demonstration gardens based in Warwickshire, open to the public, are packed full of edible summer produce. From soft..... 0 comments

Egypt denies banning GMO crop imports
Egypt's agriculture minister has not issued a decision to ban the import of genetically modified crops, the state news agency MENA said on Thursday, denying an earlier report.The agency quoted an unnamed official at the Agriculture Ministry as stating that earlier reports citing Amin Abaza ordering that a..... 0 comments

Sino Agro Food, Inc. announces combined financial results for 1st and 2nd quarter 2009
Sino Agro Food, Inc., an emerging integrated, diversified agriculture technology and organic food company with subsidiaries operating in China, is pleased to announce unaudited financial results for the first half of 2009.For the period ending June 30, 2009, combined 1st and 2nd quarter results: * Revenue of..... 0 comments

UK: Organic producers suffer as green fingered customers go it alone
An increase in amateur gardeners keen to grow their own food is taking its toll on organic farms and shops that deliver vegetable boxes.Hundreds of health food shops and farms around the country now offer a vegetable box scheme whereby they deliver seasonal produce to their customers each week. But in the..... 0 comments

Dominican organics boast power as exports top US$300M yearly
The country shores its footers as a power in organic and non-traditional farm crops, with exports of more than US$300 million per year and more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.Among the products are bananas, coffee, cacao, mangoes, Chinese and greenhouses vegetables, lemons, oranges and sapodilla,..... 0 comments

UK: Abel & Cole CEO takes over as MD quits
Organic home-food delivery firm Abel & Cole has announced the departure of Managing Director Duncan Gibson. He has now been replaced by CEO Stephen Richards. It was not yet clear what Gibson’s immediate plans were.Gibson had been at the grocer for three years, and his departure comes even as the organic..... 0 comments

Africa: Organic foods suffer major quality blow
Organic foods have little nutritional advantage over ordinary produce, a new research has revealed, robbing its promoters of a key selling point used over the years to popularise its consumption.The UK's Food Standards Agency says that ordinary cereals and vegetables are as nutritious as organic foods and..... 0 comments

China: Organic farming sprouts in Beijing
A debate over whether eating organic foods provides any nutritional benefit was sparked late last month after an independent study in the U.K. found that there were no significant nutritional differences between organic and conventionally produced food.But, in China, a growing appreciation for organic food..... 0 comments


Healthy Organic! Agrexco informs of a sharp increase in the export of organic fruits and vegetables
During the summer conference the company held in the Maccabiah village, an announcement was made referring to a rise in the demand for organic fruits and vegetables, resulting in a sharp increase in exported quantities.Agrexco, the leading Israeli exporter of fresh agricultural produce, nowadays exports..... 0 comments

Hilary Benn: GM could help Britain's food production
Hilary Benn, the environment minister, has suggested that genetically modified (GM) farming could help to increase Britain's crop production as he sets out plans to make the country more self-sufficient in food.And he has called for a more sensible approach to food safety as part of a wider drive to cut..... 0 comments

AU: Organic food report 'flawed' according to Organic Federation of Australia
The Organic Federation of Australia says a report claiming organic foods have little or no nutritional advantage is biased and without substantial evidence.The federation's deputy chairman, Tim Marshall, says the report's results are claimed to have been based on hundreds of studies over 50 years.That was..... 0 comments

US: Organic production still gaining ground
Tucked in among the conventional research plots, a certified organic field is allowing researchers and producers to explore how to make organic production work for southern Idaho producers.While the economic downturn has slowed the growth of the organic food market, the market segment continues to..... 0 comments

UK: Organic food gets a raw deal from the FSA
What's with the Food Standards Agency and organic food? It just can't leave it alone. Not, of course, in the sense of wanting to wolf it down, but in trying to persuade the us not to do so.The agency says it stands for "safer food". But while it has a mixed record on additives that cause hyperactivity, toxic..... 0 comments

Organic food isn't any more nutritious
Consumers who choose organic food are often willing to pay a premium, but it turns out added nutritional benefits may not be included in the hefty price tag.A new analysis has found organic food has the same nutritional quality as crops grown under conventional methods.“There's no evidence that..... 0 comments

US: Organic goes down a slippery road
By Ari LeVauxWriters on the RangePosted: 07/26/2009 01:00:00 AM MDTHere's the sad news: Even as the demand for organic food continues to explode, organic farmers in America are getting thrown under the very beet cart they helped build.The Chinese are taking over market share, especially of vegetables and..... 0 comments

Zimbabwe: Government urged to consider organic agriculture systems
Organic farming has emerged as a sustainable alternative to enhance food security in Zimbabwe as efforts to revive agriculture gather pace.Such alternative systems as organic farming help create sustainable systems that have minimal reliance on external inputs. Zimbabwe Organic Producers and Promoters..... 0 comments

US: Food safety and organic farming: impossible combination?
While the American traditional farming system has been fighting for years against bacteria damaging the crops, first of all Escherichia coli, organic producers are now fighting another fight against the laws for food safety, which provide for the destruction of ecosystems in the name of crop and harvest..... 0 comments


This year Dutch, Bulgarian and Spanish grow Urgurke
Gert Kögeler from Eosta: "Traditional cucumber is here"
Thanks to the low prices on the organic and cucumber markets, it looks like a good time to start the innovative organic cucumber concept from trading company Eosta. "We are seeing the group of heavy users of organic fruit and veg products continue to grow. Our organic cucumber concept does well mostly..... 0 comments

Taiwan: Organic agriculture's annual output set to hit NT$3 billion by 2012
The government will work to expand the total acreage for organic agriculture to 5,000 hectares and increase the sector's annual production value to NT$3 billion (US$90.9 million) by 2012, an economic planning agency said Monday."Those goals are outlined in a high-end agricultural development project approved..... 0 comments

EU, Canada end GMO dispute
The European Union and Canada signed an agreement on Wednesday ending a dispute over genetically modified and crops that Canada had taken to the World Trade Organisation.The two "signed in Geneva a final settlement of the WTO dispute which Canada had brought against the EU in May 2003 regarding the..... 0 comments

GM veggies in India within 3 yrs
In a decision that’s likely to kick off a controversy, the government on Tuesday announced that it plans to introduce genetically modified (GM) food — tomato, brinjal and cauliflower — in the country within the next three years.This is the first time the agriculture ministry has promised to introduce GM food..... 0 comments

India: Steps to promote organic farming
Government is promoting organic farming, which does not involve use of chemical fertilizers, for crops including foodgrains and vegetables.Under the “National Project on Organic Farming” for production, promotion and market development of organic farming in the country, financial assistance is provided for..... 0 comments

US: Public muck in to boost organic food production
Put it down to the recession, or looming global food shortages, or the population just being sick to the back teeth of stumping up venal prices for bags of wilted salad leaves in Tesco, but all sorts of people are eyeing up their gardens, patios, balconies, window boxes and back greens and seeing their..... 0 comments

Spain among world's biggest GMO producers
In the same year of its great achievements for the organic farming sector (it is the first country in Europe as for extension), Spain can also boast a record for GM crops, which grow in close contact with the organic ones.With some 79,262 hectares devoted to biotech crops, the country is now the 14th GMO..... 0 comments

India: VFPCK scheme to cultivate organic vegetables
The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam is planning to organise a `Harita Nagari' programme in Kottayam district with the objective of promoting the cultivation of organic vegetables and making the households in and around the town self-reliant on this score.Those interested, including those who do..... 0 comments

EU report reveals pesticides in organic food
An annual monitoring report found traces of pesticides in organic food products for the first time, challenging public perceptions that organic products are free of synthetic plant protection products.96% of food samples analysed complied with the legal Maximum Residues Levels (MRLs) for pesticides and 4%..... 0 comments

US: Organic Farms abound in New York
Organic farms are sprouting up all over New York. So many, in fact, that new data shows the Empire State ranks fourth in the nation in the number of pesticide-free farms.According to the 2007 census, there were 1,137 organic farms in New York, with nearly 132,000 acres in production. St. Lawrence County tops..... 0 comments

US: Whole Foods adopts new verification standard for private label products
Whole Foods Market Inc. says it will submit its private label products to testing for genetically engineered organisms--a move that will add a new level of certification to what's on the organic and natural grocer's shelves.Austin-based Whole Foods will work with the Non-GMO Project, a nonprofit..... 0 comments