I read with interest the May Washington Post article about shipments of corn and soybeans from Turkey that arrived in the United States labeled organic, but that clearly were not. The article raised important issues about organic supply chains and certification documents, but it raised a more fundamental issue as well: when there is an opportunity for added value in a supply chain, how can we make sure farmers, and not unscrupulous middlemen, reap these rewards?
BioFach | MAP & TASC | 14 companies participated at BioFach 2016, the world’s largest trade show for organic products, resulting in $9,457,000 in projected sales. OTA spoke on several panels at the BioFach Congress.
Expo West | MAP | OTA organized more than 200+ meetings with buyers from around the world for nearly 30 U.S. organic companies. Projected sales total $9,035,247.
WE TAKE U.S. ORGANIC GLOBAL Around the world, the desire for traceable, sustainably produced food is growing. Global demand for U.S. organic has never been stronger. Online and in-person, the Organic Trade Association helps connect U.S. businesses with buyers worldwide hungry for bringing the USDA Organic Seal to their markets. Whether you are a large brand or distributor with export programs in place or a small manufacturer just breaking in to global markets, U.S. Organic Worldwide is your go-to resource to help grow your international presence and business.
The United States and Mexico are currently in formal negotiations for a potential bilateral organic equivalency arrangement.
OTA’s Export Promotion Program, now dubbed U.S. Organic Worldwide, was awarded record-high USDA funding totaling $1,389,393 for calendar year 2016. The award is split between two grant programs: $889,393 for the Market Access Program (MAP), and $500,000 for Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC).
Global sales of organic food reached $80 billion in 2014, with the U.S. the largest organic market, according to findings in The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics & Emerging Trends 2016 unveiled during BioFach in February by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM—Organics International.
OTA was proud to take part in the World’s Fair in Milan, Italy, during October. The theme of this year’s international exposition was “Feeding the Planet. Energy for Life,” exploring the huge task of finding a balance between meeting the nutritional needs of the global population and respecting the planet.
OTA co-hosted an all organic BBQ at the U.S. Consular General Allen Greenberg’s residence in Kobe, Japan. A first of its kind, the luncheon brought together key industry players and thought leaders from Japan’s growing organic industry. Monique Marez, OTA’s Associate Director for International Trade, and Melody Meyer, a member of OTA Board of Directors, led an information session and discussion on U.S. trends, and ways to import more USDA certified products.
Swiss consumers purchase more organic products per capita than any other consumer population in the world. They are the fourth largest market for organic products in the world after the United States, Canada, and the European Union and responsible for 3 percent of global purchases of organic in 2014. Now, U.S. organic farmers have streamlined access to this active market through an organic equivalency arrangement.
Darci Vetter