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European project OrganicDataNetwork to improve organic market data

Logo OrganicDataNetwork

In most European countries, organic agriculture and the organic market have grown constantly for years. Key figures about the development of the organic sector are decisive for policy maker and market actors and as a basis for new investment decisions into the organic industry. In the past, most European countries have suffered from insufficient good quality data about the organic market. To create a new basis for consistent market figures, the EU has granted funds for a new research project called "Data network for better European organic market information" (OrganicDataNetwork). The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) is a partner in this project.

A group of 30 researchers and stakeholders of the organic movement came together recently for a first meeting in Ancona/Italy. The participants, representing 15 organisations from ten European countries, laid the foundation for the three-year project to harmonise and improve the collection of organic market data in Europe. Data covered by the project include production and domestic market data, but also export and import data as well as producer and consumer price information.

Apart from universities and research institutes, six SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) are also taking part in the project, which is coordinated by the University of Ancona. The project will co-operate closely with the European Commission, Eurostat, and statistical offices of the EU Member States.
The partnership will act as a co-ordinating centre between data collectors and end users of data, and it will result in a proposal for the establishment of a permanent network that should achieve a long-term collaboration on issues regarding organic market data.

In this project, FiBL is responsible for establishing a network of data collectors and end users of organic market data and for two Europe-wide market data surveys to be carried out during the project. In doing so, FiBL will build on its long-standing experience in data collection in the area of organic agriculture in Europe and worldwide.

Futher information

FiBL contact

Project coordinator

Project website

Links

Project partners

The following partners are taking part in the OrganicDataNetwork (see also partner descriptions at the project website):

Project goals

The project “Data network for better European organic market information (OrganicDataNetwork)” aims to increase the transparency of the European organic food market. This overall objective is broken down into key objectives:

  • Bring together stakeholders and bodies actively involved in the collection and publication of organic market data and review the needs of end-users with regard to organic market data.
  • Provide an inventory of relevant private and public bodies that are involved in the collection, processing and dissemination of organic market data in Europe.
  • Classify existing methods of organic market data collection and develop criteria for improving the quality of available data.
  • Collect, store in a common format and provide access to currently available data on organic markets in Europe.
  • Develop and test common methodologies to assess the consistency of national data, with special reference to available data on trade flows.
  • Test innovative approaches to improve the data collection and market reporting in six case study regions.
  • Disseminate project results and develop recommendations including a code of practice for collecting and networking organic market data beyond the conclusion of the project.