Organic Agency Reports Overall Acreage Growth; Some Vegetables On The Decline
January 20, 2010 Despite the economic downturn, CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) reported an 8% growth in the number of certified operations and total certified organic acreage in 2009. Some organic vegetable crop acreage grew while others declined.
The number of CCOF certified operations increased from 2,007 in 2008 to 2,168 in 2009, while the certified acreage grew from 558,137 to 603,545.
Fruit crops saw a substantial growth, especially in raisin grape and citrus acreage. In 2009, CCOF added 1,545 new certified organic raisin grape acres, an increase of 45.4%. Raisin acreage has risen 168% over the last four years. CCOF certified organic citrus acreage grew 39.2% (888 acres). In addition to these two key growth areas, organic berries once again showed strong growth with certified acreage increasing 20%. Certified organic acreage for berries has increased 203% in the last four years, from just over 1,500 acres in 2005 to 4,500 today.
The vegetables category showed a mixed bag of results; some organic vegetable crop acreage grew while others declined. With less than 100 acres in 2005, organic garlic has experienced an impressive 533% growth, with a total of 614 acres to date. Declines in vegetable acreage were seen in lettuce, carrots and processing tomatoes, suggesting a constriction in some high production crop areas as a result of the economy.
For further information on CCOF visit: www.ccof.org
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