In less than ten years organic products have gained popularity. They are now part of the everyday lives of 7 out of 10 people in France, and exceed 8 billion euros in turnover. On the production side, organic agricultural land reaches 1.78 million hectares, or 6.5% of the total French UAA. In 2017 every sector was concerned by a development of organic surfaces and in transitioning. It can no longer be considered a niche market, nor a mere fad.
The example of Triskalia's vegetable industry witnessed this change. Between 2017 and 2018, organic and transitioning acreage increased by 50%, reaching 650 ha, or nearly 8% of the cooperatives production plan. The goal is to expand the range beyond peas and beans by adding broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and herbs.
To encourage organic vegetable crops, Triskalia offers its members technical and economic solutions. In transition (C1 and C2), the company offers a contract with a median price between conventional and organic. For organic surfaces, a productivity sharing system eliminates the hazards of production. A specialized organic vegetable & alternative methods technician also advises producers on agronomic routes. The Triskalia organic team provides a vision and advice on the overall operating strategy.
"All our customers want organic vegetables. In September, we launched a range of organic frozen vegetables already cooked with Paysan Breton brand. Gelagri, a frozen subsidiary of Triskalia, is positioning itself to be tomorrow's leader on the organic market in France. The main distributors responded well," explains Régis Pennarun, Marketing & Development Director at Gelagri.
Source: Paysan Breton