In 2024, the Flemish population purchased organic products more frequently than the previous year, according to data released on Saturday in Sint-Truiden during the launch of ‘Bioweek’, attended by Flemish Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns (CD&V).
Last year, the average Flemish person spent €90 per capita on organic products and bought organic items 28.3 times on average.
The goal of Bioweek is to enhance consumer awareness of organic food by highlighting its benefits and production process.
Brouns inaugurated Bioweek at the Fruitbedrijf Jacobs in Sint-Truiden, where cherries, apples, and pears are organically grown. The cultivation areas alternate, and other trees and hedge plants are present on the plots.
Figures collected for the Flemish Centre for Agro and Fisheries Marketing (VLAM) show an 8.6% increase in organic product purchases over the previous year, mainly vegetables, followed by fruit, dairy, meat, eggs, potatoes, and bread, according to VLAM CEO Filip Fontaine.
Minister Brouns discussed the “5 x 5 growth ambitions for organic by 2027,” which include dedicating 5% of agricultural land to organic production, increasing it to 30,000 hectares.
Additionally, the value of organic animal production should rise to 5%, at least 5% of farms should be organic, organic food consumption should increase to 5%, and organic food should account for 5% of government catering.
During Bioweek, which runs until 15 June, people can visit farms, processors, and distributors during open days. All activities are listed on www.bioweek.be.
