A new edition of Fruit Logistica has come to a close in the capital of Germany, the country that leads organic food sales in EU retail, with almost 34% of the total, according to data from the latest report by FiBL, IFOAM - Organics International.
In 2022, organic food consumption experienced a decline for the first time in more than two decades, resulting in a 2.8% drop in EU retail sales, and although there was a recovery in 2023, producers are still concerned about the significant drop in prices.
"Especially in the last two years, we have been noticing that the prices of organic products are falling more and more in line with those of conventional products. In the past, there was a difference of between 30 and 50%, and today it is down to between 10 and 15%," said Guillermo Antelo, manager of Naranjas Ché, a company specializing in organic fruit, at his stand at the fair in Berlin.
"Prices should recover, as organic production costs are higher and the price difference should make up for this," he says.
"The German market in particular is strongly price-oriented, and since big supermarket chains such as Edeka, Aldi, Lidl or Spar are the ones handling the greatest volumes of organic products, they are also the ones setting the market prices. Other operators have to adhere to the purchase prices they set," he says.
"We are also seeing an increasing number of large companies and investment funds breaking into the organic sector, buying companies and carrying out mergers, pushing market prices further downwards."
"Nevertheless, we remain confident that there will always be a place for small producers and family businesses like us in the organic sector. Unlike big platforms and their usually basic assortments, with mainly citrus fruits like oranges, mandarins, and lemons, we are able to offer a wider range of exotic fruits that are increasingly sought by consumers, such as the 
organic Sanguinelli oranges, organic bergamot, organic kumquat or locally-grown organic avocados. This is a growing segment throughout Europe," says Guillermo.
"We can also offer unique value-added organic products, such as Agua de Valencia made with organic oranges, or our aperitifs and wines flavored with organic orange, mandarin, and lemon juice."
For more information:
Naranjas Ché
Cam. Montiver Pol 31, Parc 335
46500, Sagunto, Valencia. Spain
Tel.: +34 963 172 344
info@naranjasche.com
www.naranjasche.com