El September 23 The European Day of Organic Farming, established by the European Union, is commemorated European Commission in 2021 to underline the role of organic production in the transition towards sustainable food systems and healthy. The date seeks to raise awareness of farmers, ranchers, SMEs, and governments that are committed to alternative ways of producing and consuming.
It is no coincidence that it coincides with the autumn equinox: a nod to the balance between nature and human activity that inspires organic farming. Organized throughout the EU fairs, farm visits, tastings and workshops, and Spain, with a dynamic ecosystem, comes to the day with its own prominence and several current fronts.
European Organic Farming Day Awards
Brussels hosts the fourth edition of the awards linked to the European Day of Organic Farming, an event where Spain has options: Murcia and the Albacete-based company Cantero de Letur are among the highlighted projects, while Intereco will take advantage of the opportunity to present an export guide. At this ceremony, the Spanish bio sector remains pending the jury's decision.
Murcia competes as a finalist in the category of Best organic region/biodistrict, along with Bamberg (Germany) and Võru County (Estonia). Councillor Sara Rubira recalled that in the region more than 30% of the agricultural land already operates organically, exceeding the community objective of 25% by 2030, a fact that places it in a reference position.
For its part, Stonemason from Letur (Albacete) is nominated for the award Best SME for Organic Food Processing, a category which also includes Romanian Herta Bio Apicole and Austrian Joseph Brotmanufaktur. The nomination recognises the ecological food processing and the contribution of these SMEs to the bio value chain.
Organic market and consumption in figures
According to Ecovalia, the health of organic production is very solid: During the pandemic, between 2020 and 2022, consumption soared by around 30%, to then stabilize in 2023 and 2024. So far this year, supermarkets and processing partners report a 15% increase in sales in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Another key to the drive has been the price convergence at specific times between organic and conventional products in emblematic references such as the extra virgin olive oilLower volatility in certain bio segments has helped bring the purchasing decision closer to more households.
Export guide and new destinations
The president of Intereco, Regina Molsave, will present the first Guide to exporting organic products, prepared by the network of public supervisory authorities of organic production in Spain. The document analyzes twelve markets priority and highlights opportunities such as Japan, a country that has just renewed its agreement with the EU on the equivalence of organic certification for wine.
With a sector that exports 51% of what it produces, Spain looks with more interest towards Far East and Asia Following the increase in tariffs in the United States, the world's largest market for organic foods. This diversified strategy seeks open marketing channels less exposed to tariff fluctuations.
Definition and European objectives
La ecological agriculture —or organic— is based on respecting natural cycles, minimizing synthetic inputs and promoting biodiversity. Instead of relying on chemical fertilizers or pesticides, puts the focus on crop rotations, organic fertilizers and biological pest control, in addition to ensuring the animal welfare and promote proximity.
The European Union frames this model in the European Green Deal, with a view to reducing the environmental footprint of food and moving towards climate neutrality in 2050. Within this roadmap it is established that the 25% of agricultural land to be organic by 2030, supported by incentives, training and campaigns, while the European Day serves as a meeting point to bring organic production closer to citizens.
Challenges and public policies
The push for the ecological model also has challenges: cover conversion costs of farms, strengthen logistics and distribution, facilitate stable sales channels and continue to promote demand so that organic products are accessible to more pockets.
Ecovalia warns that Spain could drop below 3 million hectares organic this year, which would return the leadership in terms of surface area to France. In addition, although the CAP 2023-2027 It was presented as the greenest, the sector has not received more budget than in previous stages, and some productions, such as certain organic cereals, have suffered to survive.
facing the CAP 2028-2034, the sector calls for the organic production system to be taken seriously, with sufficient and clear support to offset the added costs and sustain the growth of a productive network that generates environmental and social value.
Local initiatives on the day
The day also left gestures in the territory: Orduña and the Gipuzkoan municipalities of Amezketa, Ataun and Zaldibia have expressed their commitment to certify communal mountain lands under ecological standards. The event, held in Amezketa, brought together municipal representatives, the presidency of the Basque Country Council for Organic Agriculture and Food, and livestock farmer Uxue Artola.
With prizes at stake, a guide to opening markets, consumption figures on the rise and debates on the CAP on the table, the European Organic Farming Day serves as a platform for a model that is already present. Spain aspires to shine with candidacies such as Murcia y Stonemason of Letur, as he seeks to consolidate his leadership with more public support, better access to markets y local commitments that push in the same direction.
