An Evaluation of the Economic Potential of Organic Farms in Podlaskie Voivodeship

Abstract

European society is rapidly expanding its interest in the environmental issues. It is also reflected in the changes in consumer attitudes. The conscious consumers looking for high quality food pay particular attention to the transparency of its production (tracebility) and are interested in its geographical origin. Organic farming products are one of the pos - sible answers to the emerging and dynamically developing consumer trends. In polemics on the future development of organic farming, the range of support dedicat - ed to the organic sector is a very common issue. Organic farms on the one hand contribute to the production of environmental public goods, on the other hand are the production sites of high quality food. It is therefore important not only to analyse the dynamics of changes in the organic areas and the number of farms with the relevant certificate, but first of all to analyse the production potential of the organic sector. In a relatively simple way and based on previously used tools (FADN Farm Accountancy Data Network), the authors have developed a method that estimates both the potential of organic production and its specialisation in a given area.