Major Changes to the Organic Standards

Under the previous National Standard, it takes three years for a farmer or grazier to achieve organic certification; this includes a year of ‘pre certification’ and two years of ‘in conversion’ until achieving full certification in the third year.

Young Farmer of the Year finalist backs organic farming to achieve greater yields than commercial farms

Gippsland grower Kane Busch says by using rotational crops and carefully monitoring soil health, his family's farm in the state's south east, has grown to supply organic vegetables throughout local supermarkets and into the booming Asian marketplace.

"We'll be seeing volumes very, very similar if not more than the conventional growers," said Mr Busch.

"We reckon we're getting as good yields as anyone around here."

Situated in the rich vegetable growing region of Lindenow, the Busch organic farm grows parsnips, sweet corns, beans and other vegetables throughout the year.

Sharing fences with some of the country's largest commercial vegetable growers might pose a threat to their organic status, but Kane Busch say it is a threat they can manage.

Australia’s appetite for organics at record levels

The latest Australian Organic Market Report reveals the nation’s organic industry is worth $1.72 billion, up by 35% since 2012 and growing by over 15% each year.

The Australian Organic Market Report is a highly respected biennial publication commissioned by Australian Organic. It tracks industry and consumer trends in the Australian organic marketplace based on research by the Mobium Group, Swinburne University of Technology and ABS statistics.

The 2014 Report shows consumption of certified organic food, cosmetics and household products are at a record high in Australia. Dairy and beef are the fastest growing organic sectors.

The 2014 Report has some interesting industry stats including:

• Dairy is the fastest growing organic sector, worth $113m

• Beef is the second fastest growing organic sector, worth $198m

• Wine grape production increased by a staggering 120% between 2011 and 2014 and is worth $117m

• There’s 18% annual growth in certified organic skincare and cosmetics

• Exports of organic products have more than doubled from 2012 to 2014.

Plus information about organic shoppers:

• Organic purchases by those who are not categorised as green or sustainable shoppers increases from 24% in 2012 to 40% in 2014

• The Australian Certified Organic logo is by far the most recognised organic certification mark

• 1/3 of shoppers say they would only buy a product labeled as ‘organic’ if it is certified organic

• 69% of primary food shoppers claim to have bought at least one certified organic product in the past 12 months