Signs of trouble ahead for organic dairy farmers

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Image source: Agridirect

It’s an indisputable fact that organic farming is on the up, now more than ever. With sales of 8.2 billion euros in 2017, organic – “green gold” –  is attracting growing interest among the major players in the agri-food and distribution industries.

Lured by false promises of a diet supposed to guarantee them better health, consumers are increasingly clamouring for organic.  Regular reminders from the organic lobby sharp shooters about the supposed dangers of products from conventional agriculture, combined with the feverish enthusiasm of politicians for all things organic, maintains a very favourable climate for this farming method, offering a promising financial future for producers.

Except that…

If we examine in a little more detail what is happening in the United States, often a trend-setter for the Old World, there could be some clouds on the horizon in this beautiful clear blue sky. “Hampered by abundant production, destabilised by the rise of giant farms, competing with plant milks:  times are tough for American small organic milk producers who are hunkering down hoping not to have to throw in the towel” notes AFP’s US correspondent in a briefing dated 13th March 2018.

“With current prices, I’m losing money,” says Spencer Aitel, a farmer with a herd of 55 cows in Maine (North East USA).

Read full, original article: The organic boom

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