Catalan organic production consolidates its industry despite 2024's difficulties

The Catalan organic sector maintains its positive trend despite 2024's short-term difficulties. According to data published by the Catalan Council for Organic Agricultural Production (CCPAE) in the "2024 Organic Farming Report", the area under organic cultivation rose 0.25%, reaching 284,590 hectares. In parallel, organic agribusiness grew 1.81% on the previous year.

Growth was concentrated particularly in vineyards and olive groves, up 6.06% and 4.37% respectively. These figures consolidate Catalonia's position as a benchmark territory for organic production in southern Europe, thanks to the sector's efforts and sustained institutional support.

The Director General for Agriculture and Livestock at the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARPA), Rosa Altisent, noted that "despite the difficulties, the organic sector has held up and keeps evolving, with increases in area and agri-food activities". Altisent also recalled that the Department supports the sector through the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production 2024-2027, which includes 132 cross-cutting measures coordinated with other departments and private and public players.

5,290 registered organic operators and industrial growth

During 2024 the total number of operators registered with the CCPAE remained stable (5,290), a slight year-on-year fall (-0.81%). Compared with a decade ago, the register has grown by a cumulative 94.2%.

On the industrial side, registered organic agri-food activities reached 2,918, up 1.81% on 2023. The organic industrial sector has seen cumulative growth of 145.21% over the past ten years.

Organic livestock farming holds up despite a slight fall in holdings

On livestock, the report notes a 1.15% fall in the number of organic livestock holdings, now standing at 1,122. However, the sector has grown 45.53% over the past decade. Beef cattle remains the main livestock subsector, up 2.08% on the year.

Consumption rising: 47% of the public buys organic products

The Department has also published the figures from the 7th Barometer of Perception and Consumption of Organic Food, produced with the Centre for Opinion Studies (CEO). According to the study, 88% of the population knows about organic food and 47% buys it regularly.

As for frequency, 6.2% buy it daily and 27% once a week. The barometer also notes that quality is the main purchasing criterion, followed by price. These preferences vary by respondents' age and education level.

Institutional commitment to territorial rollout and outreach

Among its strategic lines of action, the Department runs initiatives such as Setmana Bio, which encourages knowledge and consumption of organic products, and the School, Organic Farming and Food Award, aimed at the education community.

The 2024-2027 Action Plan also includes an update of the territorial outreach project, with an expanded team of outreach staff rising from 31 to 102 professionals across the territory. The network supports both existing operators and newcomers, helping structure and develop the sector.

Finally, the plan is to strengthen research and knowledge transfer in organic production, organise a symposium on organic viticulture and oenology i and launch a new communication campaign nationwide. All with the financial support of the €96 million from the CAP earmarked for organic production for 2023-2027.

With this set of measures Catalonia reaffirms its commitment to a more sustainable, healthy and local food model, consolidating the organic sector's role as a strategic driver of competitiveness, resilience and innovation.