Organic production and sustainability

The growth of global organic markets was around 13% during 2021. Exceeding the 120,000 million euros mark in sales.

This market is led by the United States with a volume of 49,456 million euros.

The total turnover for this market in the EU  was close to € 45,000 million in 2020.  Spain accounted for 5.6% of the EU total.

This market is led by Germany with  14,990 million euros, while Spain presented a turnover of 2,752 million euros for 2021 .

The aim for Spain, is to exceed the 5,000 million euros mark in 2030. This would represent 7% of the total national consumption.

During 2021, € 58.15 per capita were allocated in Spain, a figure that is far from the € 418 of Switzerland and the € 188 of France.

The composition of the national organic basket in 2020 was composed by: 57% vegetable products and 43% of products from animal origin. The main products were:

The evolution of organic exports and their specific weight within the global set of agri-food exports represented € 1,165 million in Spain. This represents a 2.26% of the total.

In Spain there are 53,325 organic operators,from which 83% are considered as primary producers.

The prevalence of meat products over milk in cattle production is around 94%. Meanwhile, for poultry, this value is close to 29% regarding the prevalence of meat products over eggs.

The area which is destined for organic production worldwide, only represents 1.6% of the total agricultural area.

Spain was the European leader in regards to agricultural area destined for organic production

There are 2.44 million hectares destined for organic production, which represents 10% of the total Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA).

These 2.44 million hectares represent 16% of the total area allocated within the European Union.

Out of these 2.44 million hectares, 216,000 are destined for cereal harvesting. Mainly barley, oats, wheat and rice.

For 2030 the aim is for 25% of the total Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) to be destined for organic production.

New Regulation 2018/848

The new legislation on organic farming, which came into force on January 1, 2022 aims to reflect  the sector’s evolution in response to its rapid growth. Aiming to ensure fair competition amongst farmers while preventing fraud and preserving consumer trust.

The new (EU) 2018/848 regulation pursues a number of objectives:

• It simplifies production rules by phasing out a number of exceptions and exclusions.
• Strengthens control systems through stricter preventive measures and rigorous controls throughout the supply chain
• Producers in non-EU countries will have to comply with the same standards as EU producers.
• Extend the scope  of organic production rules to a wider list of products. New production standards are incorporated for deer and rabbits.
• Certification will be easier for smallholder farmers thanks to a new group certification system.
• It takes a more uniform approach towards reducing the risk of accidental pesticide contamination.

As well as including certain objectives. Such as:

Contributing towards a non-toxic environment.

Maintaining long-term soil fertility..

It encourages short circuits and local productions.

Promotes the development of breeding improvements in organic plants.

In addition to the new Regulation 2018/848, we must consider the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), where organic farming and eco-schemes are a priority.

In relation to livestock production both for dairy and beef cattle we can highlight:

• A 25% reduction for feeds under conversion.
• Prohibition of formula substitutes.
• Prohibition of animal restraining on holdings of more than 50 cows.
• A 70% increase regarding the use of feed produced within the farm.
• The fattening phase may not be carried out indoors.

Organic milk production in Spain

The Spanish production of organic cow milk, was 4,224 tons in March 2022. Which represents 0.6% of the national total:

• Galicia leads the production with 2,097 tons, which represents 0.8% of the overall within the region.
• The second community in terms of production levels is Asturias. Producing 646 tons, which is 1.6% of the total.
• Cantabria produces 579 tons, which represents 1.5% of the total milk production.
• Finally, Castilla and León produce 509 tons. which is 0.6% of the total cow milk production.

 According to MAPA, the average price of organic cow milk in Spain was € 0.482 during March 2022.

⇒ That is 25.8% more than the price of conventional milk, which stands at € 0.383.

In Galicia that amount is 0.462, 21.8% more than conventional milk.  Meanwhile the price differential in both Asturias and Cantabria is 16.9% with prices of 0.456 and 0.434 respectively.

According to the report from the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA),the largest price difference between conventional and organic cow milk occurred in Castilla y León. Where conventional milk was priced at 0.383 euros, while organic milk has a price of 0.644 euros. This represents a 58.1% difference.

Feed in organic dairy cattle

The main challenge in organic dairy cattle feed is improving the nutritional value and digestibility of forages. The new European regulations dictate that at least 70% of cattle dry matter consumption in organic productions has to be from fodder. Preferably this should come from grass produced on the farm or within the local surroundings. The use of GMOs is strictly prohibited.This regulation entered in place since the start of 2023. 

In a balanced pasture under optimal performance, a cow can fulfill the feed requirements for a standard production level of approximately 20 liters.

However, this is only possible for a very short period of time (during spring).

Practical considerations related to forage and pasture grazing:

• Introduction of animals to pasture: it has to be progressive. Avoid trampling and accidents due to excessive consumption of certain plant species.
• If there is nocturnal stabling, it is important to keep animals from going out too hungry to pasture in an icy or dewy grass.
• Adjust the stocking load to ensure sufficient feed. Avoid competition and trampling damage, especially if there is a lot of moisture in the soil.

• To make better use of pastures, allow their recovery and carry out sanitary practices(parasite elimination and temporary sanitary vacuums).
• This can be achieved through pasture rotation, in 3 or 4 enclosures, with the possibility of interspersing some mowing in them as well as rational pasturing in bands
• The latter can be done in a single plot by moving the electric fence, every 3/5 days.

• As a general rule, animals have to enter the plot when the grass is more than 20 cm and they have to leave when it reaches 7 cm.
• Diets should be complemented with concentrates that are: safe, balanced, and have good palatability.

Keys to the formulation of concentrates for ruminants:

1º Quality of raw materials:

Chemical, microbiological, pesticide and GMO analyses must be performed.

Due to the fact that most of the evaluated material comes in small batches, working online and maintaining constant communication is pivotal to take quick formulation decisions.

2º Variability of raw materials:

In order to achieve success throughout the year,formulations must adapt to the availability of raw materials. There must also be a comprehensive storage of raw materials within the factory in order to allow formulation adjustments under different scenarios.

3º Raw materials from proximity and seasonality:

Formulation must be based on sustainability and carbon footprint criteria.

Within the groups of raw materials we can highlight:

• Cereals as energy and starch sources; corn, barley, wheat and triticale.
• As a by-product of cereals: bran.
• As a source of fiber: beet pulp and oats.
• As a source of sugars and minerals: beet molasses.
• As sources of oilseed protein: soy and its derivatives from EU origin, sunflower, alfalfa or legumes such as peas.

CONCLUSIONS

The cultivation of cereals and protein raw materials should be enhanced, as well as the valorization of pastures.

Organic production must be valued and food chain laws must be executed.

It is essential to calculate the environmental footprint of individual farms. This includes calculating the diet’s footprint(fodder and feed).

Safe, balanced, palatable and sustainable concentrates must be formulated.

It makes no sense to import protein raw materials such as soybeans from countries outside the EU.

Players within the entire food chain including farmers, technicians, etc, must know the current legislation. Consumer information and consumption patterns should also be presented to them by existing certification agencies.