Organic and beekeeping
ORGANIC FARMING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: Beekeeping and Organic Honey (Pages 106 and 107, 2021 edition)
Publication of the 2021 edition on beekeeping and honey
Organic honey: more than one million organic hives in 2019+ 7.1 compared to 2018
◼ In 2019, the number of organic hives in the European Union increased by 7.1% compared to 2018, exceeding one million. This represented 9.2% of the EU's hives. According to our estimates, the number of organic hives approached 1.1 million in 2020.
Bulgaria was the country with the most organic hives in 2019 (22% of the EU total), ahead ofItaly (18%), Romania (17%) and France (12%). In 2019, the number of Bulgarian organic hives fell by 3.1% compared to 2018, but rose by 1.1% in 2020. In 2018, 35.8% of hives in Bulgaria were organic. In 2020, Bulgaria will have produced almost 2,300 tonnes of organic honey. This figure is very likely to be an underestimate.
In Italy, the number of organic hives rose by 10.5% in 2019, after falling by 3.7% in 2018.
Organic beekeeping in Romania has grown strongly in recent years. In 2019, the number of organic hives rose by 27%. In 2019, Romania produced almost 5,800 tonnes of organic honey.
In France, the number of organic hives remained virtually stable in 2019 compared to 2018, but increased by 47% in 2020. In 2020, 20.3% of French hives were organic. The majority of organic hives are in the south of France, particularly in Occitanie and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In 2019, France produced almost 2,960 tonnes of organic honey (13.9% of national honey production), up 3.5% on 2018. In 2020, French organic honey production even reached 4,354 tonnes. Lavender honey accounted for 19% of French organic honey production in 2020.
Bulgarian and Romanian organic honey production is mainly destined for export. The main destinations for Romanian organic honey are Germany and Northern Europe.
The EU is the world's leading market for organic honey, along with Germany and the United Kingdom. In 2014, the German organic honey market already exceeded 8,000 tonnes, representing around 10% of the national honey market. Germany imports a lot of organic honey from Mexico and Brazil.
In Italy, sales of organic honey in supermarkets rose by 9.1% in 2020 compared with 2019.
In Sweden, organic honey already accounted for 10% of honey sales in 2009. In 2010, over 80% of organic honey sold in Sweden was imported.
Although production of French organic honey has been rising over the last 10 years, it is still not enough to meet demand, which is also growing.
Source: French Agency for the Development and Promotion of Organic Agriculture www.agencebio.org
Extract from the dossier for the Beekeeping and Organic Honey section (Pages 106 and 107 edition 2021)
(copie 1)
Organic farming in the European Union
At the end of 2014, 25,6571 farms were cultivating almost 10.3 million hectares of organic land in the European Union (including in-conversion areas). Organic farming accounted for 5.7% of Europe's Utilised Agricultural Area.
Between 2013 and 2014, the number of farms remained virtually stable, while organic acreage increased by 0.8%. According to initial estimates, at the end of 2015, 268,665 farms were cultivating more than 11.2 million hectares organically. Organic farming accounted for around 6.2% of Europe's UAA. Between 2014 and 2015, the number of farms and the organic area in the EU grew by 4.7% and 9.2% respectively.
Organic production in Europe 2016 Edition
Organic honey in Europe
Organic honey accounted for almost 791,000 organic hives in 2015. The number of hives increased by 28% between 2014 and 2015.
The leading producer of organic honey in Europe isItaly, with a quarter of organic hives, representing 7,000 tonnes in 2014.
The EU is the world's leading market for organic honey, led by Germany and the UK.
Beekeeping practices
Conversion to Organic Farming corresponds to the transition phase between conventional farming and the "Organic Farming" designation. The hive conversion period begins as soon as all the rearing conditions specified in RCE 834/2007 and RCE 889/2008 have been met (housing, feeding, prophylaxis, etc.) and the beekeeper has made a commitment to the certification body.
Ecocert and organic farming ID-SC-195- PRACTICAL GUIDE BEEKEEPING - 24.02.2017
Comparison of rules for organic beekeeping and private quality marks
This sheet compares the different rules fororganic beekeeping and private quality marks in France. It describes the main requirements between the different labels and specifications. For more details, please refer to the various specifications and regulations.
Comparison of certain Apiculture and Organic labels by the FNAB
Honey labelling
Honey, a naturally sweet substance, is full of health benefits. It comes in a wide variety of flavours, depending on the flower from which it is made. The best known for their benefits are acacia, thyme and chestnut honeys. Read the labels to choose a honey that's right for you!