Worlée visits the US Embassy in Berlin

On 9 September 2016, the US Ministry for Agriculture in association with the Organic Trade Association invited guests to the seminar “U.S.–EU Organic Trade: High Standards and Big Opportunities” at the US embassy in Berlin. The goal of the seminar was to strengthen the business relationship between America and Germany in the organic field as well to exchange ideas concerning opportunities and developments in the organic industry. 

The two largest markets for organic products have shown constant growth for years, and prospects look bright for the future as well. Consumers in this country have been aware for some time that organic products have become available nearly everywhere in recent years, and these offerings may be purchased at more and more affordable prices. Not just health food stores, but also the supermarket or even the discount market just around the corner offers numerous organic products. Increased consumer demand and the growing selection have led to a situation in which organic products are not just niche products, but rather have meanwhile developed a mass market for themselves. 

This development is partly thanks to an equivalency arrangement between America and Germany that was signed in 2012. This agreement removed hurdles to trade involving organic products. Differing certification rules between the US and the EU markets had previously been the source of many such impediments. 

Dr. Norbert Kolb, Manager of Quality Assurance at Worlée, was one of the interesting speakers at the event. In his position as head of the “Organic” working group at the Waren-Verein of the Hamburger Börse, he used the example of Worlée in his talk to broach issues regarding the possibilities and challenges that arise in the value-added chain of organic products. “The seminar was a very good opportunity for Worlée to present the process of working together with suppliers and (US) customers”, concluded Kolb.