The Rise of Organic Farming in Romania

Organic farming is experiencing sustained growth in Romania, with a significant increase in the cultivated area in recent years. Romania’s underutilized lands, rich in natural resources, present a promising potential for the development of organic agriculture. In this article, we will examine the key factors contributing to this growth, the advantages of Romania as an investment market for organic farming, and the government measures supporting this rapidly expanding sector.

The Appeal of Romania for Organic Farming
Romania, with its vast expanses of agricultural land, is increasingly attracting foreign farmers and investors seeking new opportunities. Affordable land prices and favorable conditions for organic cultivation make Romania an enticing choice for those looking to venture into organic farming.

The fall of communism in 1989 left vast agricultural lands unused in Romania. After decades of collectivism and state farms, these lands were redistributed, offering new opportunities for farmers and investors. Additionally, Romania benefits from a climate conducive to agriculture, with distinct seasons and fertile soils.

The Rise of Organic Farming in Romania
According to the latest data from the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total area dedicated to organic farming in Romania increased by 19.4% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This significant increase brings the total area to nearly 472,000 hectares. Furthermore, the area of certified organic farmland increased by 28%, reaching 270,000 hectares.

While these figures show encouraging growth, the overall area dedicated to organic farming in Romania still remains marginal, accounting for about 5% of the country’s total agricultural land. However, the trend is on the rise, with a 20% increase in the consumption of organic products by Romanians in 2020.

Advantages of Romania as an Investment Market for Organic Farming
Romania offers numerous advantages as an investment market for organic farming. Firstly, production costs are generally lower than those in Western European countries, allowing farmers to make significant savings. Additionally, Romania benefits from a favorable geographical location, being situated at the heart of Europe, facilitating exports to other European Union countries. Romania also has a skilled agricultural workforce and traditional expertise in agriculture, with Romanian farmers having a long history of land cultivation and valuable experience in sustainable farming methods.

Government Measures to Support Organic Farming
The Romanian government recognizes the importance of organic farming and has implemented measures to support its development. As part of the agricultural subsidy program, the state allocates a budget of 77 million euros for the year 2021 to support organic farmers. In total, over the next three years, 232 million euros will be dedicated to this rapidly expanding sector.

The subsidies are intended to help farmers finance the costs of converting to organic farming, such as purchasing organic seeds, implementing sustainable agricultural practices, and obtaining organic certifications. These subsidies are crucial to encourage more farmers to turn to organic farming and develop this sector in Romania.

Organic farming in Romania is experiencing sustained growth, with a significant increase in the area dedicated to this practice. The advantages of Romania as an investment market for organic farming, such as affordable land prices, favorable conditions for organic cultivation, and a skilled workforce, are attracting more foreign farmers and investors.

The Romanian government recognizes the importance of organic farming and supports its development through subsidy measures. These initiatives aim to encourage more farmers to embrace organic farming and foster the promising growth of this sector in Romania.

With increasing demand for organic products and enhanced government support, the future of organic farming in Romania looks promising. This country offers unique opportunities for farmers and investors looking to participate in the growth of this expanding sector.