IFOAM Organics Europe
     
19/09/2024

Preview of events

24 finalists highlight excellent examples of EU organic from field to fork

On 19 July, the EU Commission revealed the finalists of the 2024 EU Organic Awards, the EU-wide yearly initiative recognising organic actors who have developed excellent, innovative, and inspiring projects that advance organic food and farming. This year, 24 finalists from 12 EU countries were selected across 8 different categories.

The EU Organic Awards, launched in 2022 as part of the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production, aim to recognize excellence throughout the organic value chain. These awards not only showcase the best in organic farming but also raise awareness of organic practices and increase the visibility of the EU organic logo. Now in its third edition, the 2024 Awards feature seven categories, with eight individual awards to be presented. The awards are jointly organized by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, IFOAM Organics Europe, and COPA-COGECA, with the support of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

The winners of the 2024 EU Organic Awards will be announced at an official ceremony in Brussels on September 23, coinciding with the celebration of the annual EU Organic Day. Established in 2021 by the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union, EU Organic Day is a key event that promotes organic farming as a model for sustainable development. It also serves as an opportunity to assess Europe’s progress towards its goal of having 25% of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming by 2030, as well as trends in consumer demand and the implementation of the EU Organic Action Plan.

This year’s finalists of the EU Organic Awards in each category are: 

Best organic farmer (female) 

Best organic farmer (male) 

Best organic region 

Best organic city 

Best organic “biodistrict” 

Best organic food processing SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) 

Best organic food retailer 

Best organic restaurant/food service 

Do you know of any projects that would be fit to apply for the next edition of the EU Organic Awards?

Documents with practical guidelines are available in all official EU languages. For more information about the previous winners of EU Organic Awards: 

Further information about the candidates, the selection criteria, and the awards in general can be found on the on the EU Organic Awards webpage.

The work of IFOAM Organics Europe on this topic is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). This page only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with IFOAM Organics Europe. The CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

Natexpo 2024: The organic sector meets in Lyon

Since 2018, Natexpo has been organised every two years (even-numbered years) in Lyon, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This is no coincidence as it has been France’s leading region in numbers of organic processors and third in terms of organic production. Lyon is a dynamic and attractive regional capital also close to European markets, making it the ideal place to host this event.

Natexpo 2024, taking place on 23-24 September, will offer the opportunity to discover local companies, illustrating the region’s vitality and innovative flair.

A revamped programme of plenary talks and content themes

For its 2024 show, Natexpo is taking a fresh new perspective to offer ever more efficient responses to key issues facing the organic sector. Natexbio invites you to the “Stage” (La Scène) for two days of discussions with economic and political decision makers. Designed as the show’s nerve centre, the forum is reserved for thematically relevant plenaries and themes. Local market players, institutional representatives, retailers, producers, processors and political figures will discuss and debate the sector’s trends and challenges.

This edition will cover several themes, including our environment, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), commercial and out-of-home foodservices, consumer trends and market changes, and communication trends. Talks followed by debates will bring together political and institutional leaders and organic companies covering their priorities and business challenges.

Bio Linéaires and its experts will take their annual residency in the Organic Trends Forum, addressing the hottest topics for organic shops: new generations of organic brands, how to recover after the crisis, French and Belgian distribution, and consumption… The full programme is available on natexpo.com

Retail: Turnout from all links in the chain

The entire supply chain will be present, meeting up and exchanging views and experiences, making Natexpo a must-be in the organic calendar.

In the Institutionals Village, you will be able to meet the representatives of the trade associations making up Natexbio: Cosmebio, Forebio, Synabio, Synadiet and Synadis Bio as well as La Maison de la Bio and Agence Bio. In a brand-new development, the Organic Retailers Village is making its debut under the auspices of Synadis Bio. The main chains from specialist retail will be there to showcase their commitments.

Independent retailers will also be present. This year Natexpo is launching the operation Local Shops, a tailored programme to help independent shop owners get the most out of their exhibition experience through content, training and business meetings, in association with Bio Linéaires. They are also offered accommodation to assist them in organising their trip.

Large retail also has its role to play and is invited to join in through the operation Bio Connexion by Natexpo to meet the producers and manufacturers who could revolutionise their organic sections.

Exhibitor trends: What’s new at Natexpo?

Astonishing results are noted in plant innovations. More than half of French people have reduced their meat consumption in recent years, and nearly half of them for ecological reasons. For many years, plant-based food brands have been innovating to offer alternatives to meat products. The names are intriguing, and the results are up to expectations!

Things are also moving in the drinks department: organic brands are constantly developing unexpected recipes with increasingly original and delicious ingredients. A far cry from excessively sweet soft drinks, we are seeing a wave of imaginative blends, fermented beverages and alcohol-free spirits, which can be discovered at Natexpo.

For both food and non-food products, Natexpo exhibitors are ramping up their resourcefulness to make new products from downgraded foodstuffs, by-products or raw materials destined to be thrown away. No more unsold products without a solution, no more unnecessary packaging: that’s the principle of these brands that are shaking up the segment!

Another trend worth highlighting is fairtrade. The fairtrade market in the specialist organic retail sector is worth €266.7 million, just over 11.9% of products with a barcode on the specialist organic market. While fair trade once applied to very specific ingredients, such as chocolate or sugar, it is now well represented in numerous departments, in particular fresh and chilled. Labels (Fairtrade Max Havelaar, Bio Partenaire, Fair for Life, Agri Éthique France, Bio Équitable en France, etc.) are an advantage and can complement local sourcing: although some products come from far away, they allow people to make a decent living through their work while protecting biodiversity thanks to strict specifications. And that is not incompatible with local sourcing! Nearly 1,500 “Origine France” fair trade products were marketed in 2023, of which 81% organic.

Discover the full trends unveiled in the Natexpo Journal with a presentation of exhibitors’ innovations, available at www.natexpo.com

Natexpo 2024 at a glance

  • A new, shorter and more effective format: 2 days, weekdays only (Monday/Tuesday)
  • 6 exhibition sectors: Organic Food, Cosmetics and Hygiene Products, Dietary Supplements, Ingredients and Raw Materials, Eco-friendly Home Products, Services and Equipment for Retail and Brands.
  • 20% of new exhibitors
  • 12 winners of the 2024 Natexpo Awards
  • A simplified offer: 2 stand options and a 10% reduction for all exhibitors who are members of the Cosmébio, Forébio, Synabio, Synadiet and Synadis Bio trade associations,
  • Innovation with an incubation area: The Seeds Village & The Big Splash, The New Products Gallery, The Natexpo Awards
  • Business: 3 operations dedicated to retail – the Organic Retailers Village, Local Shops and Bio Connexion by Natexpo.
  • Content: The organic sector takes centre stage
  • Conviviality: Natexpo Tchin-Tchin, a festive and musical aperitif on the Monday evening

Order your visitor badge on natexpo.com and be part of the experience.

Advisory services & advisors, join our OrganicAdviceNetwork

We invite agricultural and rural advisory services and advisors with interest and competences in organic agriculture to join the OrganicAdviceNetwork.

On 25 September 2024 we will present the project’s activities and possible levels of engagement.

Do you want to know more about OrganicAdviceNetwork? Are you interested to participate in project activities or discuss potential collaborations? Register to join us onlineon 5 September 2024 from 10:00-11:30 CEST.

About the OrganicAdviceNetwork

The OrganicAdviceNetwork project will create and animate a network of advisors and advisory services for the organic sector across Europe. It will do so via in-person and online trainings and courses on a wide variety or agricultural topics to help conventional advisors or young graduates interested in becoming organic advisors. Organic advisors with different levels of experience will exchange with their peers. The project will also research the finance and business-side of establishing a European network of organic advisory services.

Advisory services from 14 European countries are involved in the project but all types of organic advisors and advisory services willing to join the network and/or attend the trainings are very welcome!

As IFOAM Organics Europe we lead on this project. For more information, please contact [email protected] and [email protected].

OrganicAdviceNetwork is funded by the European Union (Grant no. 101134850) and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) (Grant no. 23.0639, 101134850). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Research Executive Agency (REA) or Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Neither the European Union nor any other the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”

Civil society is taking the CAP by storm: What happened, what’s next and how to get involved?

The Good Food Good Farming campaign mobilised ahead of the European elections, organising a stunt under the motto We can’t eat promises! in Brussels on Saturday 1 June. Our staff took part in a demonstration calling for climate action and a fair transition of our agri-food systems. Along with NGOs and grassroots movements, all participants gathered at Place de l’Albertine in Brussels, urging politicians to improve farmers’ conditions, halt environmental rollbacks, and strengthen climate policies.

Action days calling for a just food system transition in October

The Campaign is continuing its actions focusing its Action Days 2024 on the Common Agricultural Policy. Any European event demanding a just transition can register on goodfoodgoodfarming.eu/action-days. There are no strict rules for the event, everything that is related to good food and farming works: a harvest festival, seed fair, film screening, farm-visit, picnic, protest or public discussion – everything is welcome!

Add your event’s voice to the call & use ready-made communication materials

Interested to join? Is it simple: Declare your support and register your event via an online form . Your event and all the others will be available on an interactive map, a great opportunity to make noise around your own demands for European #GoodFoodGoodFarming!

If you want more information, you can read the campaign’s Call to Action and check the ready-made communication material.

About Good Food Good Farming

The civil society alliance Good Food Good Farming (GFGF) campaigns for sustainable food and farming across Europe. By bringing together groups and organisations active at local, national and EU level it campaigns to transform EU food and farming policies. IFOAM Organics Europe has been part of the coalition since its inception. The campaign organises annual European Days of Action 1-31 October. Are you interested to learn more or take part? Subscribe to the GFGF newsletter or find your national contact for the Good Food Good Farming alliance.

The work of IFOAM Organics Europe on this topic is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). This page only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with IFOAM Organics Europe. The CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

Join Europe’s organic leaders at the Nordic Organic Food Fair

The international trade fair Nordic Organic Food Fair is a must-attend event for organic stakeholders and certified organic businesses. Free registration is now open for the first Stockholm edition this October, after over 10 successful years in Malmö. Use this prime opportunity to connect with like-minded industry leaders and explore cutting-edge certified organic products.

Here’s why you should make the journey to Sweden. First and foremost, the event is Europe’s leading trade fair for certified organic products. It provides an unparalleled platform to discover products across multiple sectors. Exhibitors range from established industry giants to innovative start-ups, ensuring that you’ll encounter a diverse array of food, drink, health, beauty and household products. Additionally, international pavilions featuring products from Organic Sweden, Organic Denmark, Pro Luomu, KRAV, and other major organic certifications add to the global appeal.

The show also features the Big Nordic Organic Debate, providing a key platform to discuss the future of organic standards and practices across Europe. Coupled with data-driven sessions and panel discussions across two seminar theatres, you’ll gain insights that are directly relevant to your business and the broader European organic movement.

Finally, the event’s central location in Stockholm offers easy accessibility for European participants. Scandinavia continues to lead the way in the organic and sustainable movement, so don’t miss it! Whether you’re seeking to discover new certified organic products, engage in high-level debates, or expand your business connections, the Nordic Organic Food Fair is the show for you. With free registration now open, this is the time to secure your spot.

Register for free and grab the opportunity to be at the heart of organic innovation and networking this October.

Get ready for the last part of Horizon Europe & the next framework programme – Organic Innovation Days

This year’s edition of TP Organics’ annual Organic Innovation Days is themed “Preparing for the next programme: Getting organic research & innovation ready for the next political mandate”. TP Organics will prepare participants active in organic research & innovation (R&I) for the last part of Horizon Europe (Work Programme 2026-2027) and the next framework programme (FP10). 

As the only EU event on organic and agroecological research and innovation, the Organic Innovation Days provide a unique opportunity to get insights, meet stakeholders from across Europe and network with EU decisionmakers. It will take place 22-23 October at the Organic House (Rue Marie-Thérèse 11-3, 1000 Brussels).

Register now and get ready for Horizon Europe’s next work programme.

A closer look at the agenda

This year’s innovation days will start with an internal CORE Organic workshop for the CORE Organic Pleiades partners. This transnational network funding organic R&I is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The official event will kick off with a key-note by a newly elected Member of the European Parliament who will also join the high-level policy debate in which EU policymakers will discuss the next political mandate’s priorities. On the second day, there will be a presentation of the latest scientific evidence about organic’s contribution to long-term food security, along with opportunities for organic R&I in the new partnerships AGROECOLOGY and FutureFoodS.

Participants can share their expertise and thoughts about upcoming prioirities for organic research & innovation in an interactive workshop. They will feed into TP Organics’ new Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for Organics and Agroecology. In the afternoon, the TP Organics Stakeholder Forum will bring together all members of TP Organics to exchange and discuss about EU R&I and funding opportunities, TP Organics activities, experiences and expectations (separate registration).

Grab your chance to meet organic stakeholders from across Europe and network with EU decisionmakers. Read the draft agenda and register now for the Organic Innovation Days 2024.

TP Organics is the European Technology Platform for Research & Innovation into Organics and Agroecology. IFOAM Organics Europe is a founding member and hosts its secretariat. Visit www.tporganics.eu for more information and follow its Twitter and LinkedIn @TPorganics.

The work of TP Organics on this topic is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). This page only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with TP Organics. The CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

Organic businesses, we are working on a new event just for you

We are proud to introduce a new event: the Organic Food Forum. Taking place for the first time this November, the forum will provide a platform for organic businesses to connect, explore collaboration, share best practices and get insights on the many opportunities the organic sector has to offer!

The Organic Food Forum will combine the strengths and networks of our two previous business-specific events: the Organic Food Conference and IFOAM Organics Europe meets business.

Do not worry though, the Organic Food Forum is keeping the most important elements of both events:

  • Expert speakers and thought leaders from the organic industry;
  • A focus on networking and peer-to-peer exchange on topics relevant to the industry;
  • A balanced mix of organic businesses, from organic pioneers to businesses new to organic; and
  • Representation across the organic supply – producers, processors, traders, and retailers.

Stay tuned for updates on our website’s event page and by subscribing to our newsletter.

21st Organic World Congress in Taiwan

Every three years, the global organic movement meets at the IFOAM Organic World Congress (OWC) and holds its General Assembly.

The Organic World Congress brings together thousands of organic farmers, producers, researchers, advocates, and policy experts from around the world. Get informed about registration and programme

The OWC provides inspiration and momentum for all those taking part and is seen as a leading event for the global organic sector. It has a long history, spanning back to 1977, and has been a key meeting place of the organic movement ever since.

Explore Organic World Congress via www.owc.ifoam.bio.

 
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