Romania lags in organic farming adoption, facing bureaucratic hurdles despite EU potential and international examples.
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Romania cultivates only 5.8% of its agricultural land ecologically, significantly below the EU average of 10.8%, with a national target set at just 6% by 2030. Bio producers criticize authorities for hindering sector growth through excessive bureaucracy and lack of a coherent strategy. While Spain and Italy also face challenges balancing tradition with modern methods, they are more advanced in ecological cultivation than Romania. Romanian bio production currently focuses on raw materials like cereals, berries, and honey, which are mostly exported, while over 90% of organic products found in local stores are imported. The EU Commission has expressed concern over Romania’s untapped potential for organic farming. In contrast, Spain is seeing growth through a focus on traditional practices, such as those used for olives and nuts, alongside modern regenerative agriculture. Italy is implementing initiatives like agroforestry and supporting young entrepreneurs in rural areas, often involving international partnerships to address labor shortages. The Romanian government plans to boost the bio sector through farmer training, media campaigns, and its National Action Plan for Ecological Production Development, which aims to expand organic areas, stimulate local supply chains, increase small farm incomes, inform consumers, and prevent fraud.
