The Federation's commitment over these two decades has generated significant results. From a niche sector, organic products have established themselves on a large scale, becoming the driving force behind the revitalization of the Italian agri-food industry and a key driver of innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness for Made in Italy products.
A key step was the approval of the national law on organic farming (Law No. 23/2022), anticipated for over fifteen years and three legislative sessions. The law introduced particularly significant elements, such as the recently unveiled Italian organic label, the establishment of organic districts—which foster the development of agriculture and the rural economy—as well as the adoption of the National Action Plan to promote organic farming as an advanced form of the agroecological approach, supporting the production and consumption of organic foods.
"The passage of the law marked a decisive turning point for the sector's affirmation ," emphasizes Maria Grazia Mammuccini , President of FederBio. "The Action Plan is already active in many parts, calls for tenders for supply chain projects and organic districts have been written, and the seed plan has been promoted. The Italian organic brand represents a great opportunity to give identity and recognition to the national supply chain, strengthening both our exports and domestic consumption. But FederBio's commitment certainly cannot stop there. We must look to the next steps, starting with the major difficulties faced by organic companies, starting with the burden of bureaucracy, which continues to grow steadily, becoming unsustainable especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the need for strategic investments in research, innovation, and training, which are even more necessary today to address the impact of climate change on agricultural production. Furthermore, it is increasingly clear that organic farming plays a crucial environmental role in protecting soil fertility, biodiversity, and the ability to retain carbon, as well as how food is protected." organic farming produces benefits for people's health. The new CAP must therefore allocate greater resources to those who operate with sustainability in mind, creating employment opportunities and generating value for the community.
Over the past 20 years, organic farming has maintained growth momentum even during the most challenging times. Areas cultivated without synthetic chemicals have increased from a few hundred thousand hectares to over 2.5 million in 2024 (163.5% in the last 10 years), equal to over 20% of the national UAA, the highest percentage in the EU. At the same time, the number of organic operators has also increased significantly, reaching 97,160 (137.18% since 2004), including over 87,000 farms. The sector is worth more than €10 billion considering both the domestic market and exports, driven by consumers increasingly concerned with sustainability and the protection of ecosystems.
"We build on these important results to renew our commitment to the many challenges that lie ahead, " adds Maria Grazia Mammuccini . "Agriculture is experiencing a critical phase: geopolitical instability, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are driving up production costs, squeezing farmers' incomes. To reverse this trend, clear choices are needed, recognizing a "fair price" along the entire supply chain and rewarding virtuous models that protect soil, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, such as organic and biodynamic practices. In this context, the insightful vision of those who founded FederBio 20 years ago continues to represent a strategic benchmark today: it is the only national organization capable of uniting the entire supply chain, from production to processing and distribution, becoming a model of interprofessional cooperation that is crucial for the future of the organic sector."
