“COMPANIES & MARKETS” RESEARCH: BY 2015 THE WORLD MARKET OF ORGANIC FOOD WILL INCREASE 50%. ITALY LEADS WORLD EXPORTS OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

Between 2000 and 2009, organic food on the world market increased 207% reaching 55 billion dollars. In 2010 this figure rose to 59 billion dollars and the forecast for 2015, according to the “Companies & Markets” study, should reach 88 billion dollars, an almost 50% increase. Europe is the leader in consumption of food, beverages and dietary supplements, while they expect strong growth in Asia and emerging countries, with increases averaging between 16 and 20%. As for Italy, recent data from Ismea / Nielsen showed 2010 closing with an increase in consumption equal to 11.6% in value, a trend confirmed by the January and February 2011 data. In Italy the sector is worth 3 billion euros, counts more than 48,000 employees and is the largest exporter in the world, with a value of 900 million euros.