During the online workshop Trends and Agreement on Organic Equivalence between Chile and Brazil, held by ProChile on 8 June Lastly, Clauber Cobi Cruz, Director of Organis, Organic Promotion Association, presented a study, through which he reported on the market and consumption of this type of products in Brazil.

The professional highlighted that currently the world organic market represents $110.000.000.000 million dollars, with Brazil being an important player with R $4.500.000.000

Cobi highlighted the great opportunity that exists in Brazil for organic products, since, according to the 2019 APAS survey, 46% of those surveyed indicated that they would like to see more organic, natural and healthy products on the supermarket shelves. While this category reflects a growth rate of 15% per year. Highlighting, at the same time, that in Brazil there are 21.175 organic production units, which is 65% than in 2016.

Regarding consumption, the director of Organis pointed out that when asked the question Have you consumed organic products in the last 30 days ?, only 19% of the total of those surveyed said no, a figure that is much lower than the 85% who answered that No in 2017. All of which shows the growth of consumption and the interest for people to acquire this type of product.

In terms of prices, 77% of those surveyed, who regularly consume organic products, said that these are much more expensive, or more expensive, than conventional products, being interesting that when asked if they considered that a higher price was justified, a 72% said they did justify it. Regarding the main organic products that are consumed, the study indicated that fruits occupy the second mention with 36% of the total responses, while vegetables are in first place.

However, 87% of regular consumers of organic products said they buy their organic products at fairs, 65% in supermarkets, 6% organic stores, 1% internet, and 7% others.

The main reasons why they consume organic products are health (76%), environment (19%), product aspects (14%) and lifestyle (4%)

Likewise, in terms of frequency of consumption, 28% of those surveyed said they consume organic products more than 3 times a week, 27% said they do it almost every day and 24% said they do it 5 times a week .

The importance of the Chile-Brazil Organic Equivalence Agreement 

Cobi highlighted that the study described that regarding the recognition of the seal that certifies the veracity of a product as organic, at the level of consumers in general there were 50% who said they knew the seal and its importance, while another 50% said they did not know about him. However, the professional highlighted that at the level of regular consumers of organic products, 69% indicated that they knew it and knew its importance.

En este sentido, MarJosé Campos, Agricultural Attaché of Chile in Brazil, stressed the importance of the equivalence agreement in organic agriculture signed between Chile and Brazil, and which began operating in April 2019. Importance that according to Campos lies not only in the fact that Brazil is a major consumer of these types of products, there is also a consumer preference for these products towards those that are certified.

“With this agreement, Chile and Brazil mutually recognize their respective certification systems for organic agricultural products. Therefore, the products of each country can be marketed in the country of destination, certified according to the certification system of the country of origin. It is the first regional agreement on organic trade and the first at an international level that recognizes first-party organic certification systems (OAE / SPG) ”, said the professional, during the online workshop.

He added that "the organic products present in this agreement are unprocessed agricultural products produced in Chile or Brazil, and processed agricultural products intended for food and / or human consumption that were processed in Chile or in Brazil with ingredients produced organically in both or if they were imported into Brazil from Chile or vice versa. These products must compulsorily comply with the phytosanitary entry requirements of Chile or Brazil through their National Organization for Phytosanitary Protection (NPPO) or other official body ”.

Likewise, he pointed out that the agreement has a duration of 5 years which can be renewed by the parties.

Regarding the exports of Chilean products, the aggregate indicated that globally these reached US $ 2019 in 278.312.146, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. While organic exports to Brazil totaled US $ 2.434.456 FOB last year, the top 5 products being wines, olive oil, fresh cherries, fresh blueberries, and fresh apples.

Finally, the professional encouraged organic agricultural exporters to use this Agreement, and especially to visualize the potential that Brazil offers as a market.