Organic farming in the Valencian Community has closed the 2025 campaign with a unprecedented turnover close to one billion eurosThis consolidates the region's position as a leader in sustainable production within Spain and across Europe. The latest report from the Valencian Community's Committee for Organic Agriculture (CAECV) confirms that, despite some adjustments in acreage and number of operators, the sector maintains a clear course towards professionalization and profitability.
During a conference held at the Bodega Redonda, headquarters of the Regulatory Council of the Utiel-Requena Designation of Origin, public officials, representatives of the sector and experts analyzed in detail the evolution of turnover in the Valencian organic sector in 2025, market behavior and Trends and challenges in sustainable agriculture that are opening up for the coming years. The meeting also served to highlight the role of organic farming as a key tool in combating climate change, rural depopulation, and the new demands of European consumers.
Record turnover in 2025 despite the adjustment in surface area
According to data presented by the president of the CAECV, Vicente Faro, the past year ended with a turnover of 962,6 million euros, compared to 832,9 million in 2024This jump represents a 15,57% increase in the value of marketed production, a significant rise considering the slight decrease in certified area and the number of operators.
The overall value is rounded to nearly one billion euros in annual revenue For the Valencian organic farming sector as a whole, this figure was interpreted by Faro himself as a sign of maturity: the sector, he pointed out, is committed to professionalization, quality improvement, differentiation in international markets and a clear focus on economic profitability.
This increase in turnover contrasts with a 1% reduction in certified area, which has gone from 134.727 hectares in 2024 to 133.397 hectares in 2025There has also been a 2,7% decrease in the number of organic operators, which now stands at 4.215. Even so, if we look at the trend of the last ten years, the picture is very different: from 2015 to 2025, the area has increased by 73% and the number of operators has almost doubled, with a growth of 98%.
At the presentation, the regional secretary for Agriculture, Vicente Tejedo, emphasized that The turnover figures demonstrate the strength of the ecological model and the need to continue supporting it from the administration. Tejedo recalled that the Ministry of Agriculture has been promoting specific policies to encourage the presence of organic production in the Valencian countryside and to strengthen its position in markets, both national and in the rest of the European Union.
From an institutional perspective, the event also included the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Production and the Directorate General of Industry and the Agri-food Chain, as well as local authorities and stakeholders in the agri-food sector. The common message was that The record revenue forecast for 2025 comes at a time of profound change. in consumption and environmental requirements, where organic farming has a notable competitive advantage.
Structure of the Valencian organic sector and territorial distribution
The CAECV report offers a detailed overview of how organic production is distributed within the Valencian Community. By 2025, the Valencian Community will have 133.397 certified hectares and 4.215 organic operators, a structure that combines farms, processing companies, marketers, exporters and importers.
Although the territory as a whole shows a slight reduction in surface area, the evolution is not homogeneous across provinces. Castellón is the only one that is increasing its ecological areaWith a growth of 6,67% and a total of 35.646 certified hectares. In contrast, Valencia decreased by 2% to 59.857 hectares and Alicante fell by 3,3%, settling at 37.959 hectares.
This cast confirms that Organic farming is present in 83% of Valencian municipalities, which shows a very broad territorial presence that accompanies the expansion and impact of ecological parksProduction has become a tool for revitalization in rural areas where other economic activities have more difficulty establishing themselves and where maintaining the agricultural landscape is key to curbing the abandonment of the territory.
In the last decade, progress has been particularly intense in certain export-oriented regions and in areas where woody crops—such as vineyards, olive groves, or citrus fruits—are well-suited to organic farming. This territorial expansion, coupled with the diversification of activities (processing, marketing, wine tourism, etc.), largely explains this growth. the leap in turnover by 2025 and the continued increase in added value generated by the Valencian ecological sector.
Another key element of the report is that, despite occasional declines, the operator structure has consolidated and is increasingly geared towards medium and long-term market strategies. The professionalization of farms and businessesAccess to additional certifications and the search for high-value niches in the European Union are factors that help sustain revenue even in volatile contexts.
Key crops and productive specialization
In its analysis by crop type, the CAECV document clearly identifies which products are driving organic sales. Among the most prominent are: nuts, vineyards, olive groves (the Olive grove and organic olive oil fair), citrus fruits, cereals and fruit treeswhich make up the bulk of the certified area and contribute a very significant part of the sector's economic value.
Within the fruit tree section, a particularly strong growth, of 32%with the growing prominence of avocados. Currently, approximately 10% of the avocados produced in the Valencian Community are organic, a figure that reflects the rapid adaptation of this crop to environmental standards and external demand, especially from other European countries (initiatives and projects for organic gardens).
In parallel, Castellón has experienced significant progress in the organic cultivation of vegetablesThis expands the product range and opens up new marketing opportunities in both local markets and for export. This crop diversity allows the sector to distribute risks, cater to different consumer segments, and offer a longer production calendar.
The weight of woody crops, such as vineyards, olive groves, and citrus fruits, is especially relevant to understanding revenue trends. These are productions with high value-added potential and a strong export orientationThis helps sustain income during periods of lower domestic consumption. Data from 2025 shows that, while demand in the European Union continues to grow, organic consumption within the Valencian Community itself has declined somewhat, something the sector considers a priority to analyze.
This contrast between the strong performance of exports and the decline in local consumption reinforces the idea that The turnover of the organic sector depends largely on foreign marketsLooking ahead, one of the challenges identified by the CAECV is to design strategies to revive the interest of Valencian and Spanish consumers in organic products, while taking advantage of the strong position already held in Europe as a whole.
Economic efficiency and environmental contribution of the ecological model
Beyond revenue, the CAECV report focuses on the economic efficiency of the Valencian organic farming modelWith average public support of just €188 per hectare, the sector is able to generate over €7.400 per hectare in export value. Translated into returns, for every euro of aid from the European Union, €55,6 in export value is obtained.
These figures place organic farming in the Valencian Community as an example of high return per euro invested in public policy, especially when compared to other areas of spending. The combination of moderate subsidies, a strong market orientation, and constant quality improvement has allowed for the development of a business sector that, although still facing challenges, exhibits remarkable economic strength.
In environmental terms, the Valencian organic sector maintains a active plant infrastructure capable of absorbing around 1,5 million tons of CO₂ per yearThis carbon capture capacity is largely due to the weight of woody crops, inter-row cover crops, and permanent pastures, elements that contribute to fixing carbon in the soil and improving biodiversity, as well as practices such as ecological grazing with goats.
The CAECV emphasizes that organic farming not only produces food, but also It generates ecosystem services of great value to society.Landscape conservation, improved soil fertility, protection of water resources, and support for beneficial fauna. These environmental benefits, combined with the economic and social impact, reinforce the position of organic farming as a strategic element in the agri-food transition promoted by the European Union.
The president of the CAECV himself pointed out that the public certification managed by the committee provides an important differentiating value: it guarantees transparency, independence and adjusted costsThese three factors foster the confidence of both domestic and international consumers. This combination of rigorous certification and financial stability largely explains the positive reception that Valencian organic products enjoy in particularly demanding European markets.
Generational change, presence of women and social cohesion
Another aspect that stands out in the report is the role of organic farming in the social renewal of the Valencian countrysideThe sector is helping to solve two historical problems: generational change and the incorporation of women into agricultural activity under conditions of leadership and visibility.
Today, 30% of the organic producers certified by the CAECV are womenThis percentage is significantly higher than the traditional average for the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the average age of operators is around 50, a figure that indicates a progressive decrease compared to previous decades and points to a greater presence of middle generations in the management of organic farms.
This renovation has a direct effect on the cohesion of the rural environment and the continuity of family farmsThese companies see the eco-friendly model as a way to differentiate themselves in the market and improve profit margins. Furthermore, newer generations are more attuned to digitalization, direct sales, online marketing, and adapting to the demands of European consumers—all of which directly impact revenue.
During the event in Utiel-Requena, the role of training, knowledge transfer, and applied research was also highlighted. Collaboration with universities and research centers, such as the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), is enabling progress in Innovative solutions for pest control using pheromones and other techniques compatible with ecological requirements, reducing dependence on synthetic plant protection products.
The regional governments agreed on the need to continue promoting support policies that integrate a gender perspective, provide support for young farmers, and improve infrastructure in rural areas. All of this is considered essential for sustaining the turnover of the organic sector in the medium and long term and to prevent the abandonment of farms in areas with greater demographic difficulties.
Markets, consumption and challenges for the next decade
The 2025 data confirms that Demand for organic products from Valencia continues to grow in the European Unionwhere consumers increasingly value environmental, animal welfare, and traceability attributes. Central and northern European countries continue to be key export destinations, especially in segments such as wine, olive oil, citrus fruits, nuts, and certain fruits and vegetables.
In contrast, the report warns of a decline in organic consumption within the Valencian Community itselfThis decline in local demand has raised some concerns in the sector, which believes it is necessary to analyze the causes in depth: loss of household purchasing power, lack of clear information about the benefits of organic production, competition from other quality labels, or consumer confusion due to an excess of messages on the shelves.
The president of the CAECV stressed the importance of Strengthen promotional campaigns in the domestic marketAt both the regional and national levels, efforts were made to ensure that citizens clearly understand the added value of certified organic products. The importance of facilitating the availability of these foods in school cafeterias, institutional catering, and local channels such as municipal markets and specialty stores was also highlighted.
At the same time, consolidating revenue depends on continuing to cultivate a strong external image and maintain relationships with European distributors. Public certification, detailed traceability, and the ability to respond to new EU regulations—for example, regarding carbon footprint or water resource use—will be key to achieving this. to maintain and even increase market share in Europe in the next years.
Looking ahead to the next decade, the sector is aware that it will have to face challenges such as adapting to climate change, managing extreme weather events (droughts, torrential rains, heat waves), and the potential entry of new competitors into the European organic market. Even so, stakeholders agree that the accumulated experience, the current structure and the 2025 revenue level They place the Valencian Community in a solid position to face these challenges with certain guarantees.
A strategic model in the European agri-food transition
During the meeting held at the Bodega Redonda, the idea that Valencian organic farming has become a strategic lever to move towards a fairer and more sustainable agri-food system, aligned with European guidelines on the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
Combining professional management, committed social fabric, and solid public certification This is considered one of the model's main strengths. This framework has not only increased revenue but also generated employment, helped retain population in rural areas, and strengthened the image of Valencian products in international markets.
In this context, organic wine occupies a prominent place as tourism and cultural ambassador of the Valencian CommunityThe day concluded with a round table discussion on wine tourism, in which organic wineries and representatives from the tourism sector highlighted the potential of wine as an experience linked to the landscape, gastronomy, and authenticity of the region. Ecological wine tourism It is emerging as an additional source of income that complements traditional agricultural revenue.
Also presented was the book "Ecovitivinicultura en la Comunitat Valenciana. Más 30 años de innovación y sustentabilidad" (Eco-viticulture in the Valencian Community. More than 30 years of innovation and sustainability), by Dr. José Vicente Guillem Ruiz, an agricultural engineer and oenologist. This work, the result of decades of experience and technical documentation, chronicles the evolution of organic viticulture in the Valencian Community and It highlights the trajectory of one of the sectors that has contributed most to the expansion of organic farming in the region. The funds obtained from its sale will be used entirely for promotional activities in the Valencian wine sector, especially in areas affected by extreme weather events such as the DANA storm.
The final institutional interventions agreed on the need to continue strengthening public support policies, both in the field of organic agriculture in general and in the international promotion of Valencian organic wine. For the administrations, maintain and increase the turnover of the ecological sector It is fundamental not only for its economic contribution, but also for its role in protecting the territory and in projecting the Valencian Community abroad.
With the 2025 data in hand, the picture that emerges of the Valencian organic sector is that of an activity which, despite certain adjustments in surface area and operators, It gains economic weight, strengthens its profitability, and consolidates itself as an engine of change. in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. Turnover approaching one billion euros, a strong export focus, and the backing of public certification from the CAECV point to a promising model that combines economic viability, environmental commitment, and social cohesion within a European context that increasingly demands sustainability from the entire agri-food system.
