Rio Negro has consolidated itself as the province that generates the most organic products in the country, as it accounts for 20% of the country's total organic production. There are 240 establishments in the province that are devoted to producing organic products, mainly pears and apples.
These ventures are mainly located in the Upper Valley and Middle Valley. Their products are destined for export.
The main buyers are the United States and the European Union. According to an official report, in 2017, the region exported 24,247,534 kilos of pears and 19,450,626 kilos of apples. 98% of the organic producers are dedicated to the production of fruit, but there also are producers that grow nuts, olive trees, and grapes.
28 new organic establishments were certified in Rio Negro in 2017. This means there was a 13% annual increase. To reach this denomination, producers must start a three-year process accompanied by certifying companies that control that the production system is free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, favoring the sustainability of the systems and taking care of natural resources.
"Organic farming has grown tremendously in these last two years in our Province. According to the latest survey prepared by SENASA based on information from the certification agencies, there are 240 organic production establishments in Rio Negro, i.e. 20% of all the organic production establishments in the country," said the Undersecretary of Fruit Production, Pablo De Azevedo.
"When an organic production is certified, it means that the producers are respecting certain standards required in a protocol. Complying with them gives producers the possibility of having a differentiated product, getting new markets, having sales security, and achieving a greater value, as there is a high demand for this type of products that do not use agrochemicals in their production," he added.
Source: adnrionegro.com.ar
