It has not been the Sana it always was, as could be expected, but at least a fair was held indoors after many months. The event dedicated to organic produce organized in Bologna was renamed Sana Restart for the occasion, with distanced stands, masks and sanitizers.
The data presented during the fair reported a growth of 182% of online sales compared to 2019. E-commerce sales of organic produce recorded an increase (+143% compared to 2019) exceeding that of food in general (+125%). After the boom recorded during lockdown, the e-commerce sales of organic produce continue to maintain a sustained rhythm.
Of course the fair was not attended by the same number of people expected during a normal year. This was noticeable right away, as there were no queues on the highway exit on Friday morning. But people did come, in line with a fair that only had three halls with only one dedicated to food.
The data from Osservatorio Sana 2020, promoted BolognaFiere and curated by Nomisma with the patronage of FederBio and AssoBio and the support of ICE, highlighted a strong increase in the demand of organic products: +7% of domestic consumption compared to the previous year. The domestic market reached a value of €4.3 billion (including the food service). Exports also did well, exceeding €2.4 billion in 2019.
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The initial convention
Geofin is pleased with how the fair went. "In a difficult moment such as this one, our presence at the fair was much appreciated. We talked to various clients and technicians and informed them about our experiences this year. As for 2021, we will expand our activities in organic and integrated agriculture, strengthening our field support and assistance services," explained company representatives.
Over the past few years, the organic segment has represented a valid model to meet consumer expectations while combining environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness, especially since it came to have a leading role within the From farm to fork strategy presented by the European Commission.
The increasing trust of consumers is reflected in the progressive increase in the number of buyers and in the percentage of organic products purchased (from 2.2% in 2014 to 3.6% this year): 3.9 billion of the total are in fact attributed to domestic consumption, +7% compared to the previous year. Except for the restaurant and catering channel, which recorded a 27% drop due to the coronavirus and mostly attributed to the lockdown period, the domestic market confirms the positive trend favored by the increasing attention of Italian consumers towards green, local and sustainable products.
Consumer trust for these products is strengthened by the presence of a Community certification system that regulates the production, labelling and checking methods. In particular, Italy is the leader in Europe when it comes to organic producers (over 70,000) and processing companies (over 10,000).
Specialized organic chains and independent stores record an 8% leap. Sales in "other channels" (corner shops, pharmacies, markets, ethical purchasing groups, aggregated producer websites) were very positive with over €836 million in 2020 (+10%).
The export of organic products was more than positive: in 2019, sales of Italian organic products on the international market reached €2,425 million (+7% compared to the previous year). In 2020, the export of organic products will reach €2,619 million (Nomisma estimate) maintaining a growth rhythm of 8% compared 2019 and representing 6% of total Italian food exports.