BioFach América Latina Project

Support

On March 30, a seminar was held at the Brazilian Embassy in Santiago in order to promote BioFach Latin America, which will take place in São Paulo from October 25 to 27, 2006

The Seminar was held with the support of the Brazilian Embassy in Santiago and AAOCH (Agrupacion Agricultura Organica de Chile), a Chilean organic agriculture association.

The great interest in participating in this Seminar made it necessary to transfer the event to a larger room than the one first reserved, in order to host the visitors present – over 100 people.

Hall at the Brazilian Embassy in Santiago

Chile is known for the quality of its fresh fruit. The Chilean climate offers special conditions, and the geography of the country, with natural barriers, favors a low rate of pest attacks, and so it is considered an ideal exporter of organic produce.

Secretary Gustavo Rocha de Menezes, the Commercial Attaché to the Embassy, greeted the participants in the name of Ambassador Gelson Fonseca.

Next, Rosina Guerra and Maria Beatriz Costa (Planeta Orgânico) presented an overview of the Brazilian organic sector and the business opportunities offered by BioFach Latin America in São Paulo. Those present agreed that all opportunities to participate in an event of the BioFach network should be optimized.

The need for dissemination and information to the consumer was a topic that appeared in all presentations and questions. In the presentation given by Juan Pablo Infante Rogers, general manager of Huertorganic, it was shown that 62% of Chilean consumers are still ignorant of the organic agricultural concept, but there is growing demand which is not fully met at the present stage of supply.

Gustavo Rocha de Menezes

62% of consumers do not know organic products

Growing demand not met by supply

There was a great deal of interest in the organic movement in Brazil. Chile and Brazil are at similar stages with regard to regulations for the sector. The President of AAOCH, José Antonio Benavente Lavin, presented an overview of organic production in Chile and pointed out that there is expectation and optimism in the organic sector at the moment, due to the unanimous approval by the Senate of the law regulating organic production in the country.

Chile es conocido por la calidad de sus frutas frescas. El clima de Chile ofrece condiciones especiales y su conformación geográfica, con barreras naturales, favorece la baja incidencia de pestes, siendo por eso considerado como un exportador orgánico ideal.

Evolution of Chile’s organic agricultural exports – chart presented by José Antonio Benavente Lavin, President of AAOCH

According to José Antonio, this law will create a national certification system, which will avoid fraud and promote greater consumer confidence in relation to organic products.

Patricio Yáñes, Executive Secretary of AAOCH, pointed out that Chile is internationally recognized for the quality of its fresh fruit. "The climate in Chile offers special conditions and the geography of the country, with natural barriers, favors a low incidence of pests, so it is considered an ideal organic exporter", said Patricio, whose collaboration was an important factor in the success of this Seminar.

AAOCH is a member of the IFOAM and was created in 1999 for the purpose of developing organic agriculture in Chile. AAOCH’s main objectives are as follows:

	to promote organic agriculture in foreign markets through Fairs, support programs and international agreements;
	to help building its producers’ capacity to export their products;
	to develop the local market by educating consumers;
	to protect organic agriculture in Chile and its worldwide image;
	to protect the environment, highlighting the relationship between the soil, man and health.

The coffee break included NATIVE brand organic coffee and sugar, and Chilean organic juices and biscuits.

It was served in the beautiful entrance hall of the Embassy, where the participants tasted – and very much enjoyed – the traditional Brazilian “cafezinho”.

During the break, contacts were made among those present, who commented on the need to organize more meetings of this kind, seeking support for the Latin American organic sector.

Maria Valdebento, of PRO CHILE (equivalent to APEX in Brazil) was present at the Seminar, and scheduled a meeting with AAOCH with a view to providing support for the participation of Chilean companies in BioFach Latin America, in São Paulo.

Marcela Meza (Cafeteria Tierra Viva), Ana Claudia (Brazilian Embassy e Maria Beatriz Martins Costa (Planeta Orgânico)

Maria Beatriz Martins Costa (Planeta Orgânico) also presented data from the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA), showing the growth of family farming in the Brazilian organic scenario. The numbers presented impressed the audience, which were unaware that approximately 70% of the food served in Brazilian homes came from family farming.

Representatives of AAOCH and MAELA showed their interest in carrying out an exchange project between Chilean and Brazilian farmers, in partnership with the MDA. It was agreed that they would discuss the possibility of creating this partnership at BioFach Latin America in São Paulo.

The producer of the organic Sauvignon Blanc wine of the Viñalhue brand complained that small producers received little support from the government, saying that he felt discouraged about continuing to invest in organic production. He hopes that things will improve with the new legislation.

At the end of the event, Mr. Donald Mödinger (Brazilian Embassy), who contributed so much towards the success of this Seminar, thanked all those present and said that it was a pleasure for the Embassy to promote this movement, which is so important for the sustainability of the planet.

Several Chilean producers present at the Seminar took their organic products, such as Maria Alcaide and Maria Vitoria Cerda, with their delicious jams and preserves, and Anamaria Pistono, with her organic saffron.

Maria Beatriz Costa (Planeta Orgânico) pointed out that two events committed to sustainability – BioFach Latin America and ExpoSustentat – to be held on the same date and place, offer the ideal synergy between visitors and exhibitors. According to Maria Beatriz, over 50% of the stands have already been sold, and visitors from several countries are expected to come for the debut of BioFach Latin America in São Paulo.

Chilean Organic Vineyards

There are a significant number of organic vineyards in transition at present. Those that already produce and sell organic wines are the following: Lomas de Cauquenes, Carta Vieja, Viña Carmen, Errázuriz, Viñedos Orgánicos Emiliana, La Fortuna, Antiyal, De Martino, Cono Sur, Quintay, Mondaré, MontGras and Agua Tierra.

Chile has natural borders that protect it from pests. It is free from phylloxera, for example, and offers excellent conditions for organic vineyards.

We should make it clear that 100% organic wines are rarely found because during production the oenologists have to resort to the use of anhydrous sulfate, in well-balanced doses. This is a protective, fungicidal and anti-bacterial agent that does not fit into the natural precepts and even less into the organic doctrine, but which to most oenologists is indispensable for the wine to be well finished in the bottle.

Without a doubt, certified wines from organic vineyards observe, to the highest degree, the most natural winemaking process possible. From 1998 on, more organic vineyards have appeared. Today, there are more than 1,100 hectares certified and 800 in transition.

The first organic wine was the most natural, from the root to the bottle, and the only one produced with careful tracing of old vines of the País variety: Mission1998 - Seleción de las Lomas de la Cooperativa de Cauquenes (in later harvests sulfur was used).

In that year, the Nativa line of the Carmen vineyard appeared, with an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. From then on, certification of Chilean organic vineyards has grown steadily.

White Wine
Viñalhue

Wine tinto COYAM,
premiado em 2005