02.11.2010 - Vinexpo news selection
More and more French winegrowers are adopting organic methods. Between 2008 and 2009, the number of estates taking the decision to move to this type of cultivation increased by almost one third, according to figures published by Agence Bio.
At the end of 2009, there were 3,024 estates committed to organic principles, compared to 2,301 at the end of 2008, a 31% increase, points out Agence Bio, a public interest body engaged in the promotion of organic agriculture.
Over the same period, the areas devoted to organic production methods have grown by 39%, reaching 39,146 hectares (96,734 acres) equivalent to 4.6% of all land used for winegrowing in France compared to 3.3% the previous year.
The three main winegrowing regions that account for more than two thirds of all organically cultivated winegrowing land are Languedoc-Roussillon with 12,661 hectares (31,287 acres), 52% more than in 2008, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur with 8,981 hectares (22,193 acres), 35% more and Aquitaine with 5,464 hectares – 13,502 acres), up 45%. (AFP / 6 October 2010)