Spain is the leading ecological producer in Europe and tenth in terms of volume on the domestic market, a trend that is rising year by year.
Respect for the environment and greater awareness about healthy produce are factors that are allowing ecological farming to become increasingly more visible.
Spain is the leading producer in Europe, whilst its national ecological market grew by 12.55% in 2016, according to a report by MAPAMA and the consultancy company GFK. This document indicates that, in terms of volume on the domestic market, it has reached the tenth position, with an invoicing of 1,700 million euros.
The percentage of biological produce in Spain makes up 1.69% of the total food market, still way behind countries such as Switzerland, Denmark or Sweden.
The arrival of specialised channels on the market, as well as the commitment by large consumption brands to the bio category, have provided consumers with new possibilities.
In the large scale retailing trade, the German chains Aldi and Lidl were pioneers in introducing this category. El Corte Inglés is undergoing an implementation phase of its ‘Biosfera’ format, where it groups together produce of this type. Other brands such as the Valencian chain Consum already include it, along with dried food, fruit and vegetables, as does the Dia chain. Carrefour, on the other hand, has generated the ‘Bioque’ concept.
The growth perspective has not passed by unnoticed by the Spanish food industry and the Administration has joined this trend, with the start up of a ‘Strategy for Ecological Production 2018-20’’, the guidelines for which include promoting domestic consumption, improving marketing and contributing to a better structuring of the sector.
According to data provided by Eurostat, in 2016 the organic production area all over Europe rose to almost 12 million hectares, with an increase that is considered to be important for the next few years. Four countries alone represent over half of the land cultivated using ecological practices. Spain has 16.9%; Italy 15%; France 13% and Germany almost 10%.
