HeMa 2024

Both the EU and the German federal government have set ambitious targets for the expansion of organic farming. At the EU level, the aim is to have 25% organically farmed land by 2030, and at the German level, the target is as high as 30%. Such ambitious goals require monitoring of the achievement of objectives and identification of the relevant levers for achieving them.

This research project evaluates existing data on organic farming and vegetable growing in Hesse and compares it with earlier results. The mapping of regional production focuses in organic farming serves to better understand the factors that favour them. The study also compiles producer and consumer prices in Hesse over time and in comparison with nationwide figures. Prices are an important factor in determining the decision-making behaviour of both farmers and consumers. At the farmer level, they determine economic success and are an important factor in the decision to convert to organic farming. Excessively high consumer prices are considered the most important obstacle to stronger demand for organic food. Finally, this study is dedicated to the analysis and further development of regional value chains using the example of vegetables and milk. Regional value chains offer Hessian producers and processors considerable sales potential, especially in view of the strong international competition for vegetables, but also for milk, given the simultaneous consumer preferences for regional products. Data collection is carried out via expert interviews. The results of the various data collection steps will be presented to the stakeholders in a workshop and discussed.