the world of organic agriculture - Organic Eprints

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The World of Organic Agriculture 2006
The domestic market is very small. Only coffee, some vegetables and fruits are currently available,
although there is a growing production of processed products like fruit jams and chili sauces.
Herbs, honey, milk and tea are also present in some stores. Less than five percent is sold in
specialized stores in big cities (Mexico, Monterrey y Guadalajara), cafeterias, street markets, and
tourist areas. About ten percent of the total production, which is not exported, is traded on the
national market, but as conventional products. There is a big annual exhibition, Expoorgánicos,
backed by the federal and regional governments. There are also open organic farmers markets in
Mexico City, called “Trianguis”.
Mexico has a growing problem with GMO contamination in corn, brought about by corn seeds
imported from the U.S. It is said that all “tortillas” in Mexico have already GMO residues. It is
important to mention that the country was the world’s biodiversity center for corn, which is now
in danger.
There is a Norm No. 37 that was supposed to regulate organic production, but is not effectively
working. The movement is uniting under the Coordinadora Nacional de Agricultura Ecológica.
In November 2003, a proposed regulatory framework for organic products (Iniciativa de Ley de
Productos Organicos) was approved by the Parliament and is waiting to be implemented.
There are several international certifiers with offices in Mexico: OCIA México, Naturland México,
Bioagricert, IMO, BCS, Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, Quality Assurance International, FVO
and others. Certimex (ISO 65 approved) is the most important local agency.
There is active research being developed in the Chapingo University, and AECA is doing on farm
research with small farmers.
The Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Bank of Mexico, has promised to finance
75 percent of certification costs in the short term.
16.7.8 Peru
In 2001 Peru had 84’908 certified hectares. For 2003 it was estimated that there are 260’000
hectares under certification (117’966 hectares of wild nuts; 75’775 of coffee, 20’075 aromatic
and medicinal plants). There are more than 30’000 certified producers. 5’000 are in conversion.
Most of the farmers are small and indigenous and belong to the small farmers association ANPEP.
They produce coffee and cocoa under the internal control system.
97 percent of the production is exported, and 94 percent of those exports are coffee and cocoa.
Banana is also a growing export crop. The exported value is around 30 million USD 5 . Other
exported products are quinoa, cotton, pecan nut, Brazil nut, onions, asparagus, sesame seeds,
amaranths, and tomato.
Although it amounts to only three percent of the production, there is a very well organized
internal market, thanks to the work of Eco Logica Peru. There are weekly fairs in Lima and
surroundings (Bio Ferias), there are home deliveries (Bio Canasta), small shops and defined
5 30 million USD = 24.8 million EUR (per 31.12.2005)