EU: Community imports of organic food decreased by almost 2% in 2020

Despite the global increase in the EU market for organic food, imports into the EU of this type of product decreased by 1.9% in 2020 compared to the previous year, according to a study published by the European Commission. In total they were 2.79 million tons, compared to 2.85 million in 2019. The increase in tropical fruit and rice inflows was offset by the decrease in purchases of other cereals, oilseed cakes and sugar. Raw materials accounted for 48% of organic food imports last year in volume terms and 29% in value. These include cereals, vegetable oils, oilseeds, sugar, milk powder, butter, coffee and cocoa. Other primary products, such as meat, fruits, vegetables, yogurt and honey, accounted for 42% of the total imported and 53% in value. The main importing Member States were the Netherlands (with 31% of the total), Germany (18%), Belgium (11%) and France (10%). As for the origin of the products, last year there was a change in the first positions. Ecuador and the Dominican ...