Opportunity for farmers

After the crisis: organic trend on the rise again

Almost a quarter of the vegetables sold are organic

(Bild: HM)

After the slump caused by inflation, the proportion of organic food in Styria is slowly but surely rising again. Only in one category is it still very small.

Organic is back, at least in one small step: in 2023, sales of organic food had fallen to 11%, in the first half of 2024 it rose slightly to 11.5 "The market is picking up again," says Maria Pein, Vice President of the Chamber of Agriculture. "We are cautiously optimistic. The crisis has hit organic farmers." Overall, there is still some room for improvement.

While the proportion of organic fresh milk is 28 percent and 23 percent for vegetables, pork brings up the rear with only 3 percent. "The consumer obviously doesn't want that," says Provincial Councillor Simone Schmiedtbauer. "Some farms have had to switch back from organic to conventional because there is a lack of demand."

Vice President Maria Pein (left), State Councillor for Agriculture Simone Schmiedtbauer (center) and organic chairman Thomas Gschier

(Bild: LK Stmk/Alexander Danner)

However, the demand for organic fattened chicken is increasing and it could also be worthwhile for farmers to start producing organic eggs, says the Chamber of Agriculture.

Direct marketing as an opportunity
Thomas Gschier, Chairman of Bio Ernte Steiermark, sees great hope in the area of direct marketing: "Our organic model regions make it even easier for products to reach consumers."