The slowdown confirmed by all players in the sector is a first in Belgium, whereas the years 2020 and 2021 had been exceptional. The decline in the sector began to be felt as soon as the confinements ended and the figures for the organic sector have now returned to a lower level than before the pandemic.
Karima Ghozzi, spokeswoman for Delhaize, confirms a drop in sales of organic products in their stores. For her, the Belgian chooses to spend his money differently: “The resumption of normal life, the reopening of the catering industry. People can enjoy themselves by going to a restaurant. They have to make choices in relation to their available budget. We also obviously have inflation, the rise in energy and gasoline”she explains.
Pierre-Alexandre Billet, retail specialist and boss of the Gondola platform, confirms: “We have noticed a significant drop in sales of organic products, mainly food, since the beginning of the year. This is probably linked to a fear of a drop in purchasing power. Organic products have the perception of being essentially luxury products. There is a readjustment to be made between the quality of organic products and financial accessibility.”
For small specialist shops, it becomes more difficult: “I know that (the drop in sales) is between 15% and 30%, it depends on the stores. And I know that there are unfortunately organic stores that are currently closing”testifies Kevan, salesman in a specialized organic store.
Belgian producers are also feeling the crisis: “Compared to 2020 – 2021 there are fewer sales”notes Gwenaël Dubus, producer at the Ferme du Peuplier in Grez-Doiceau, which produces 25 ha of organic vegetables.
As of December 31, 2021, Wallonia had 1,969 farms under organic control, according to figures presented on Tuesday by Biowallonie and Apaq-W. 15% of Walloon farms are organic. If the sector has been on the rise for several years in the south of the country (nearly 1,000 more organic farms in 10 years), growth was weak in 2021, with only 68 additional organic farms.
The total area under organic control was 92,008 hectares at the end of 2021. In other words, one out of eight Walloon agricultural hectares is organic. Since 2010, the areas devoted to organic farming in Wallonia have doubled, but we are still very far from the Walloon government’s objective of increasing the organic share to 30% by 2030.
