ASEAN to build common standards for organic products

Vitoon Panyakul, chairman of the Asean Organic Federation, said yesterday that the group, representing six major organic-producing countries, introduced the organic standards at Biofach Southeast Asia 2019 and Natural Expo Southeast Asia 2019. The six countries are Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.

"Organic-producing countries in Asean still have different standards for organic crops, livestock, aquaculture and processed food," Mr Vitoon said. "The same organic standard in Asean will improve supply chain management and reduce production costs of the producing members in the region." Overall, Asean's total organic farmland is about 480.000ha or 1.92-2.4 ha per farmer. Most Asean members, except Malaysia and Singapore, are export-oriented organic producers. The most-exported products are materials.

Mr Vitoon said Asean countries should altogether produce fewer mass organic products and make better-quality organic products. The global organic agriculture market is now worth US$104 billion, with an annual growth rate of 20% on average. Key organic markets include the US, the biggest market with a value of $45.2 billion, and Germany, the second-biggest market at $10.04 billion. Mr Vitoon said Asean organic production still faces challenges, including weak supply chain management and a lack of integrated promotion from upstream to downstream. Climate change from global warming, the long dry spell and higher labour costs also have an impact on organic agricultural production. "Currently, consumers are still confused about organic products because of too many food labelling schemes such as safe conventional agriculture, good agricultural practice, pesticide-free agriculture, hygienic food, pesticide safe and organic," Mr Vitoon said. "The same organic standards in Asean will help address this confusion to a certain extent."

Source: Bangkok Post