In the realm of German supermarkets, changes are afoot due to the federal government's ambitious goals. By 2030, they aim to make 30% of agriculture and the food industry eco-friendly. This shift was announced in their coalition agreement, and to make it a reality, the Federal Minister of Agriculture unveiled 30 measures on November 16, 2023.
Environmental protection and climate crisis concerns are prompting these changes. The long-term vision is to transform the entire food industry. Farms should be economically viable while preserving resources, the climate, and animal welfare.
The proposed changes extend beyond environmental concerns. In supermarkets, organic products should become more accessible, making them available to every citizen. This goal is supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).
The BMEL also suggests more focus on organic products in nursery schools, hospitals, and retirement homes. Although the affordability of organic products in supermarkets is yet to be clarified, the approach aims at a more diverse organic product offerings for consumers.
The Organic Strategy 2030 strives to promote diverse organic product choices and share knowledge in sustainable agriculture. The BMEL is still working on addressing bureaucratic issues, such as providing financial aid to farmers and investing in research.
Consumers too are in for long-term changes. By 2030, the variety of organic products should expand, ideally available at fair prices. However, the exact appearance of supermarket assortments by 2030 is still uncertain.
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- The goal is to make organic products more affordable and widespread, which might involve lowering the cost of organic items in supermarkets. By 2030, supermarkets are anticipated to offer a wider range of organic products at reasonable prices.
Enrichment Data: The Organic Strategy 2030 by the German federal government targets increasing organic agriculture's proportion in Germany from the current 5% to 30% by 2030. To achieve this, several changes are expected in German supermarkets:
- Boosted Organic Product Selection: Supermarkets should significantly expand their organic product ranges to meet increasing demand for organic food. This includes growing organic produce, meat, dairy, and other food options.[1]
- Lower VAT on Organic Food: Policies such as reducing VAT on organic products are suggested as "game-changers". This tax reduction would help bring down the cost of organic food, making it more accessible.[1]
- Active Industry Engagement: The organic industry is expected to collaborate actively with ministries and policy makers. This collaboration is key for implementing effective policies that promote organic agriculture.[1]
- Government Funding: The strategy draws on €80 million in government funding, which should drive growth across the organic sector. This funding will support farmers transitioning to organic practices and help supermarkets expand their organic offerings.[1]
- Sustainability Prioritization: The strategy aligns with broader sustainability goals, including reduced agriculture environmental impact. By promoting organic farming practices, which often involve more sustainable methods, the strategy aims to contribute to a more environmentally friendly food system.[1]
These changes target making organic food more affordable and eco-friendly by 2030, as outlined in the Organic Strategy 2030. [1]
Reference(s): [1]: "Organic Agriculture: Trends, Policy, and Prospects in Germany and Europe". Daher, W. and Franke, H. (2019) Agribusiness in Europe. Springer, Cham.
