Romania: number of organic operators has tripled
Source: Emg, MADR
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The number of organic operators in Romania has tripled from 2009 to 2011, Emg.rs reports. "It is the first time that the number of organic operators went up three-fold. Most of the farmers run small-scale holdings covering between three and 20 hectares of land, or keep three to five cows, 50 to100 sheep or have a dozen of beehives", the president of the Romanian Association of Organic Agriculture Operators told Agerpres. Organic land also increased to 300,000 hectares in 2011 (1 % of the total agricultural land of the country).
Romania is currently seen as a market more for raw materials and less for its processing capacity. Cereals (wheat and maize), vegetables and honey remain the main organic products. According to data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (MADR), Romania's exports of organic products increased to 100 million euros in 2010 from 80 million euros in 2009. (Picture: Consul Verde in Romania)
Development of organic farming in Romania from 2006 - 2011
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
| Number of organic operators | 3,409 | 3,834 | 4,191 | 3,228 | 3,155 | 10,253 |
| Surface of cereals (ha) | 45,605 | 65,112 | 86,454 | 110,014 | 148,034 | 158,825 |
| Permanent crops – grassland and meadows (ha) | 51,200 | 57,600 | 46,007 | 39,233 | 31,579 | 89,489 |
| Permanent crops - orchards and vineyards (ha) | 294 | 954 | 1,518 | 1,869 | 3,093 | 4,584 |
| Wild collection (ha) | 38,700 | 58,728 | 81,279 | 88,883 | 77,294 |
47,102 |
Source: MADR
09.01.2012