German organic farmers have grown more pumpkins and courgettes this year than previously assumed, according to research figures into organic vegetable farming, carried out by the German Agricultural Market Information company (AMI).
In 2012 a total of 9.3% of the total German vegetable acreage was used for organic cultivation. This corresponds to an area of nearly 11.000 hectares. Fruiting vegetables, such as organic pumpkins and courgettes utilized an above average percentage of the total area. Together these vegetables covered 17% (1,422 acres) of the total organic vegetable acreage. Also organic legumes such as peas and beans, which are sold for frozen food, covered an above average proportion of the total area, 15%.
Root vegetables such as carrot, onion and beetroot remain the most important group within the organic vegetables range with a total growing area of more than 3,000 acres, 29% of the organic farmland in Germany.
