In 2003 in Australia about 2340 certified organic operators— farmers, processors, exporters and retailers—were operating from some 7.9 million hectares of certified organic farmland; an additional 600 000 hectares of noncertified land belonged to organic farmers. Seventy-five per cent of the certified area is in Queensland’s Channel Country, producing organic beef.

The estimated farm-gate value of Australian organic produce ranges from A$90 million to $140.7 million, and exports (potentially reduced due to drought) total A$40 million. About 500 Australian-based certified processors and manufacturers of organic produce contribute to an industry worth between A$165 million and A$300 million a year at the retail level. Industry reports suggest that growth continues at between 10 and 30 per cent a year, depending on the sector but particularly in beef, milk and horticulture.

The total production of organic rice in Australia in 2000 was 600–700 tonnes finished product and 700–800 tonnes of paddy. SunRice notes that organic rice production falls well short of both domestic and export requirements. Domestic markets exist for 1000 tonnes of milled organic rice. Others in the industry report export markets for up to 100 000 tonnes of organic rice.

SunRice sees domestic market potential for organic long grain white rice and has released a product for sale in Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. The export market for organic rice is large, particularly in Japan, where ‘organic’ and ‘quality’ are the two most important sales criteria. Japan imported 800 000 tonnes of rice in 2000.

In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for organic soybeans. Most of the beans are white hilum varieties used for tofu and milk production.

Organic soybeans are also used in the production of some fermented products (such as soy sauce) and milled to produce soybean flour.

Australia has considerable potential to increase exports of organic soybeans. Being in the Asian region, it is well placed geographically, and out of season it can produce quality beans for the Northern Hemisphere.

Demand appears insatiable, prompted mainly by Japanese importers: at present 90 per cent of Australia’s organic soybean crop is exported to Japan.

This publication describes the requirements producers must meet in order to comply with organic production standards. Topics such as farm selection and establishment, weed, pest and disease management, soil and crop nutrition, variety selection, rotation design, irrigation management and economics are discussed. There is also a comprehensive section on storage and handling requirements for organic grain.

Fundamental to marketing an organic product is the ability to prove to consumers the organic integrity of a product ‘from paddock to plate’. This document gives readers a step-by-step guide to the organic conversion and certification process for organic rice and soybean enterprises. It also discusses the primary features of successful production and marketing.

Although organic farming basically excludes the use of substances to provide crop nutrition and to treat weeds, pests and diseases, organic standards do permit limited use of some substances. Soil health and crop pest, disease and weed management are discussed here, and a reference guide to substances permitted under organic standards is provided. Of course, being organic does not preclude a farmer from complying with federal and state or territory laws. Some of the regulatory requirements organic producers might encounter are also noted and discussed.

Finally, the publication provides a comprehensive list of references and contacts for people keen to further explore the intricacies of organic agriculture and to provide help with farming and marketing.
 
 

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