Styrian organic model regions: upswing for local organic products

Styrian organic model regions: upswing for local organic products

In the Styrian organic industry, there is currently reason to be happy. Organic foods find their way into the consumers' shopping baskets. This positive development is the result of regional efforts to market organic products even better and increase demand that has been steamed in the past two years.

The decline in previous years seems to have been over because the demand for organic products increases again. Biom milk as well as products such as biomais and biosoja are particularly in demand. There is also a slight growth in meat, poultry and fascinated. The market is optimistic because the value of organic food in the food retail trade rose to 11.5 percent in the first half of 2024 after it was 11 percent in the previous year.

initiatives for sales promotion

In order to further promote this pleasant development, the Chamber of Agriculture and Bio Harvest have expanded its advisory services. Here is a special focus on organic vegetable growing, which has a promising future, especially through small businesses that can achieve secure income through direct sale to private customers.

In addition, the organic campaign program is powered by the Chamber of Agriculture, State Styria and Bioverband. The aim is to increase the biologically managed areas in Styria from currently 25 to 30 percent by 2028. This not only means more organic products on the market, but also support for the organic farmers in the region.

A central building block to strengthen this development is the organic model regions. In clearly defined geographical areas, partnerships and cooperation between producers and consumers are to be funded. These models are currently implemented in cities such as Graz and regions such as Vulkanland and Murau. You are intended to ensure the direct supply of the population with fresh, regional organic food and to increase the visibility of organic offers.

Thomas Gschier, chairman of Bio Harvest Styria, emphasizes that these model regions make the organic products more easily to consumers. For this purpose, a network of farmers and local shops is to be created that promotes the direct sale of organic food to consumers.

successful approaches in Graz

A positive example of these initiatives is the Bio-model region Graz, where the first Great Milest Stone, a Bionah Hofaden, was opened on the grounds of the Grottenhof Agricultural School. Over 80 organic suppliers offer an extensive range here that covers local needs.

Karin Forcher, a organic farmer from the region, also relies on several pillars in her marketing strategy. It sells its organic chickens both in the food retail trade and directly in the farm shop. "If you want to be successful in agriculture, you have to be flexible and brave," she says, what increases the scope for innovative marketing.

Styria is already one of the leaders in Europe with 25 percent of the agricultural areas that are managed biologically. In order to further expand these successes, political incentives and a rapidly growing range of organic products are required. Agricultural Councilor Simone Schmiedtbauer announced that from 2025 new framework conditions will apply to organic farming, which should bring comprehensive improvements and strengthen support for organic farms.

The increase in the biologically managed areas will not only increase the visibility of these products, but also provide secure income for the organic farms. A step that benefits Styrian consumers and contributes to further establishing the region as a pioneer in the organic sector. Further details on the activities of these model regions are via an article on www.leibnitzaktuell.at to be learned.