The Valencian Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Livestock, and Fisheries has announced a €10,4 million investment to bolster organic farming in the Valencian Community. With this decision, the regional government is reinforcing a production model that has become a cornerstone of Valencian agriculture in recent years.
This support package combines funding for organic production, certification, and institutional support for the Valencian Community's Organic Agriculture Committee ( CAECV), as well as a specific line of funding for extensive organic livestock farming. Together, these elements form a strategy aimed at maintaining Valencia's leading position in this field within Spain and the European Union.
10,4 million to boost organic production and certification
The core of this economic commitment lies in a €9,2 million allocation for organic production, channeled through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) , which will reach thousands of farmers in the Valencian Community. In addition, €1,2 million in specific aid will be provided to cover part of the certification costs for organic agri-food products during 2025.
These certification grants aim to alleviate one of the most significant burdens for producers: the costs associated with demonstrating compliance with organic regulations . The Ministry's intention is that no viable project should be excluded due to an inability to cover the costs of audits, inspections, and procedures required for official certification.
The Regional Ministry has also established a direct support line for the CAECV , the body responsible for certifying and monitoring organic production in the Valencian Community. This collaboration aims to strengthen its technical and operational capacity to respond to the increase in registration and renewal applications currently being experienced by the sector.
In parallel, another program has been designed targeting extensive organic livestock farming , a type of operation that offers environmental and animal welfare benefits but often faces higher costs and tighter profitability. The aim is to prevent these farms from falling behind in the ecological transition process.
The Valencian Community, a European benchmark in ecological land
During a visit to the CAECV headquarters in Carlet, the Minister of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries, Miguel Barrachina, stressed that the Valencian Community has already reached around 20% of its agricultural area used under organic management
The organic sector extends across 480 municipalities with certified production , representing approximately 88,5% of the Valencian territory with organic farms. This widespread presence reflects that organic agriculture is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather a model that has been gaining ground both in inland areas and in regions closer to the coast.
According to the latest data presented by the CAECV, the certified organic area is projected to reach between 139.000 and 146.000 hectares in 2024-2025, representing approximately 20,1% of all agricultural land in the Valencian Community. This percentage positions the Valencian Community as a leader in organic farming, well above the world average.
The provincial distribution shows that the province of Valencia concentrates more than half of the certified organic area , followed by Alicante and Castellón, which also contribute a significant part of the hectares registered as organic.
Key regions and growth trends in the organic sector
During the institutional visit to the CAECV, the Report on the Organic Sector: Global Trends and Outlook in the Valencian Community was presented . This report analyzes the sector's evolution at the international, national, and regional levels. The document identifies several Valencian districts as key drivers of organic production.
Leading the way is the Utiel-Requena region, with approximately 29.576 certified hectares , followed by Rincón de Ademuz with 19.441 hectares and Els Ports with 12.421 hectares. These areas, mostly inland, account for a substantial portion of the organic land, making them strategic territories for the future of the sector.
Analysis of the percentage of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming in 2024 confirms a sustained growth trend , both in terms of hectares and operators. Far from slowing down, the implementation of this production model continues to expand, driven by consumer demand and supportive public policies.
The president of CAECV, Vicente Faro, highlighted that the latest data offers a “successful and consolidated snapshot” of the Valencian organic sector , placing the Community in a prominent position not only in the European Union, but also compared to the world average of certified organic area.
Generational change, the role of women and support for new farmers
One of the aspects most emphasized by the Regional Ministry is the changing profile of those working in organic farming . According to data presented by the Regional Minister, 30% of organic farms in the Valencian Community are led by women, a significantly higher proportion than that observed in other agricultural models.
The average age of those working in this sector is around 50, which is about 15 years younger than in conventional agriculture . This difference suggests that organic production is more attractive to younger generations, who seek higher value-added products.
To consolidate this generational shift, the Regional Ministry has highlighted the launch of a €29 million aid program aimed at young farmers and newcomers to the agricultural sector. In the evaluation of these grants, additional points are awarded to those who opt for certified organic production, thus reinforcing the transition to more sustainable farming and livestock systems.
This approach seeks not only to ensure the continuity of the agricultural sector, but also to guide the future of the Valencian countryside towards models compatible with European climate and environmental objectives , in line with the CAP strategies and with the social demands for more environmentally friendly products.
Organic certification: a guarantee for producers and consumers
The expansion of the organic sector has led to a significant increase in certification applications submitted to the CAECV . More and more farmers and livestock breeders want to demonstrate that their practices strictly comply with European regulations on organic production, resulting in a greater workload for the certifying body.
To support this growth, the Ministry has reinforced its support with a specific line of aid for certification endowed with 1,2 million euros for the 2025 financial year. This aid is aimed at covering part of the expenses derived from audits, controls and procedures associated with the ecological seal.
Certification not only differentiates the product in the market , but also acts as a guarantee for consumers that the food meets strict quality and sustainability requirements. As the regional minister emphasized, the collaborative work with the CAECV (Valencian Council of Organic Agriculture) ensures that those who purchase these products can be confident that they fully comply with organic production standards.
This trust is key in a context where the demand for organic products continues to grow , both in traditional distribution channels and in short marketing circuits, local markets and direct sales.
Bringing organic farming closer to the public
Beyond the figures, the CAECV insists on the need to bring the effort behind organic farming closer to the consumer . Committee representatives have explained that one of the sector's biggest challenges is for society to better understand the work done by producers and appreciate the added value of these foods.
In this regard, fairs, tastings, showcooking tours, and various educational activities have been organized to showcase Valencian organic products firsthand. These initiatives aim to allow people to taste, compare, and understand why these foods meet different standards than conventionally produced goods.
The combination of promotional activities, transparent information, and a presence at specialized events is helping to increase the visibility of the organic label. The goal is that, when consumers are in front of the shelf or at the market, they can easily identify certified products and appreciate their positive environmental impact.
All this communication effort, combined with the economic and regulatory support of the regional government, creates a favorable framework for organic farming to continue growing on solid foundations and maintain the leadership that the Valencian Community has been consolidating in recent years.
With a combination of specific funding, support for certification, promotion of generational renewal and a clear dissemination strategy , the Valencian Community is consolidating itself as one of the most advanced territories in Europe in organic agriculture, both in terms of surface area and dynamism of the sector and its ability to bring this sustainable model closer to society as a whole.
