01/22/2008 14h38

Rules for organic products heat the market

Gazeta Mercantil - 01/22/2008

The Brazilian share of the world market of organic products may reach 30% this year. The advance will be possible after the Federal Government's having created rules for the sector. In 2007, the value of the exportations reached U$ 45 billion. The regulation of the production of organic products may contribute to heat even more a market that is in clear expansion due to the consumer's growing aversion to chemical products. In the domestic market, the sales of organic products amounted to US$ 250 million in 2007. Demanded in the international market for at least seven years, the rules for the organic products were only regulated in Brazil in the end of last year. Law Number 10,831, of 12/23/2003, was published in Federal Official Gazette of December 28th, 2007. It defines the rules for the production of the products and their certification for the sale in the domestic and external markets, creating mechanisms that allow measuring the negotiations and drawing investments from great companies in this segment. "The regulation of the organic products improves the credibility of this sector", affirms Ming Liu, manager of the OrganicsBrasil project. According to a survey carried out by the institution, Brazil exported nearly 70% of its production and closed 2007 with a balance of US$ 21 million.