Argentina has natural and competitive advantages for producing organic food, so it is in a position to contribute largely to the supply of the organic foods needed to meet the demand not only for agri-food raw materials, but also for a variety of processed products.

• Argentina stands out as net exporter of vegetable and animal organic foods, since nearly 98% of its total production is exported.
• Among the advantages of producing organic food is the country’s out-of-season production vis-à-vis the Northern Hemisphere, and the trustworthiness it has earned as a world supplier through a sound and recognized regulatory and control system which has provided Argentina with smooth access to markets.

REGULATIONS

• Pursuant to Law No. 25127, all farming production systems and related agro industry, as well as all sustainable collection, catching, and hunting systems are defined as ecological, biological, or organic. By means of a rational use of natural resources and by avoiding the use of chemically synthesized products and other products having a real or potential toxic effect on human health, these systems shall:

  - Supply healthy products.
  - Maintain and/or increase soil fertility and biological diversity.
  - Maintain water resources.
  - Provide or increase soil biological cycles so as to supply the nutrients required by plants and animals.
  - Provide natural systems, crops, and livestock with conditions that may allow them to express their innate behavior while meeting their physiological and ecological needs.

• In 1992, Argentina passed legislation on organic production of vegetable foods, and in 1993, on organic production of animal foods. It is one of the first Latin American countries to obtain organic certification to market organic products to the EU as a result of the establishment of its regulatory framework governing organic food, concurrently with the regulations enforced by that community.
• The authority enforcing the organic production system is the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Foods through the National Service of Agricultural Food Quality and Health (SENASA as per its Spanish acronym).
• The Regulatory Body (SENASA) regularly updates standards according to the needs of the sectors involved in organic production.

SURFACE AREA UNDER PRODUCTION

In 2007, the surface area assigned to organic livestock-raising and to organic crops was increased by 17% and by nearly 9%, respectively.

DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION

• Domestic consumption of organic foods is a budding market, as it accounts for 2% of Argentina’s certified production.
• Three hundred and twenty tons of organic products were consumed in 2007. The volume of organic products of vegetable origin sold to the domestic market is significantly growing year after year, with vegetables (144 tons) and processed products ranking first.
• The latter accounted for 50% (by volume) of total consumed products (166 tons), including yerba mate, cane sugar, olives, tea, processed corn, black tea, olive oil, jams, raisins, Sweetbrier rose oil, among others.
• With regard to organic products of animal origin, beef, honey, and honey candies are currently consumed in the domestic market.

EXPORTS

• Exports of certified organic vegetable products have significantly increased, exceeding 118 million kg in 2007.

Table 1

• These exports comprised grains and oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, and processed products.

Table 2

• Processed products have undergone a significant expansion and therefore stand out among exports of vegetable origin.
• In 2007, exports of these products totaled 29,761 tons, i.e., an increase of more than 30% vis-à-vis the previous year, with the EU and the USA accounting for 72.5% and 17% of exports, respectively.

• The European Union is also the major destination for exports of certified organic products of animal origin, with nearly 3,000 tons in 2007, including beef, lamb, wool, dulce de leche, and honey. The USA only bought organic honey, importing 7 tons in 2007.
• Exports of animal origin by-products were significantly high in 2007, showing an increase of 53% as compared to 2006.

CONSULTED SOURCES

SENASA - National Food Administration, SAGPyA.