“The largest festival for organic food and agriculture in the world is called BIOFACH”
The organic food trade fair was once again conducted at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre from February 13-16, 2024, bringing together exhibitors and visitors from the entire organic sector, including regional, national, and international stakeholders. This year 2550 international exhibitors from 94 countries presented themselves at the fair. https://www.biofach.de/de-de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2024/biofach-aufmacher-globale-bio-community
My experience at BIOFACH was wonderful, interesting, knowledgeable, and full of new ideas. From the moment I stepped onto the exhibition floor, I was surrounded by a vibrant atmosphere filled with like-minded individuals passionate about environmental conservation and healthy living. At BIOFACH, I experienced a lively market of opportunities and a trade fair packed with ideas, inspiration, and enjoyment. It was a good opportunity to exchange ideas with people from the organic food value chain. The BIOFACH Congress is a place that not only facilitates the sharing of knowledge but also promotes exchanging and discussing ideas, all with a strong professional foundation and a focus on a future that we wish to actively establish. Moreover, the seminars and workshops offered valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the organic industry. Experts shared their knowledge on topics such as regenerative agriculture, fair trade practices, agroecology, organic farming growth, and the importance of biodiversity conservation
I had the opportunity to attend congress sessions on Organic and Plant-based: A New Food System in Europe, The German Organic Market: Facts, Figures, and Analysis, The World of Organic Agriculture – Latest Statistics (FiBL and IFOAM), Compliance under Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and NOP outside of the USA and the EU, Facilitation of ICS and PGS with integrity, and how Agroecology, Organic Agriculture, and Regenerative Agriculture work. According to FiBL & IFOAM, the number of organic producers has increased to 4.5 million since 2021 across Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The top three countries in terms of organic farmland are Australia (50.0 million hectares), India (4.7 million hectares), and Argentina (4.1 million hectares). India holds the title of the largest producer country in the world, followed by Uganda and Thailand (www.organic-world.net – statistics.fibl.org).
At BIOFACH, I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Ekta Jaju, Director of Onganic Foods Private Limited from India, who was attending the event. Onganic Foods is a prominent exporter of high-quality agricultural products from India, serving markets in America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. They excel as producers, processors, and exporters, adhering to rigorous standards such as NPOP, EU, and NOP (http://www.ONganic.in). It was truly fascinating to engage in conversation with someone representing India’s organic industry. We discussed the dynamics of the European organic market and the functioning of the Internal Control System (ICS) in India. During my time at BIOFACH, I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Arne Bieler, who had participated in the Weltwärts Volunteer program in India a few years ago – with Gram Disha Trust. Currently, he is volunteering with YIN CHUAN ORGANIC FARMS CO., LTD. in Taiwan while pursuing his studies.
I visited exhibitor stands at BIOFACH, where producers presented their product innovations. It was not only the place to be but also the place to see, hear, smell, and taste. Experiencing it with every one of your senses is what makes this trade fair experience so unique. Overall, my experience at BIOFACH Nürnberg was nothing short of inspiring. It reaffirmed my belief in the power of organic farming and sustainable living to make a meaningful impact on both our health and the health of the planet. I left the event feeling energized and motivated to continue supporting the organic movement in any way I can.
