The area of cherry farms fully converted to organic farming in Belgium has shown significant variability between 2013 and 2023. Starting from 17 hectares in 2013, the area fluctuated drastically, experiencing a notable peak in 2016 at 53 hectares, only to sharply decrease in the subsequent years. By 2023, the area stood at 12 hectares, indicating a 7.69% decline from the previous year. Over the last two years, this sector has seen an average contraction, with the CAGR stabilizing at 1.76% for this period.
Forecasts predict a continuous decline in the area devoted to organic cherry farming. By 2028, the area is expected to contract further to 8 hectares, representing a five-year CAGR of -6.17% and an overall reduction of 27.27% from 2023 levels.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Impact of policy changes favoring organic farming subsidies.
- Alternative organic farming methods that could increase yield efficiency.
- Market demand shifts towards organic produce influencing conversion rates.
