Portuguese Organic Farming - Overview
Portuguese agriculture has undergone many changes, especially after joining the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1986. The application of the Community Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the National Strategy for Agricultural Development led to the facts summarized below: In what concerns the farm structure, between 1989 and 1999, the number of agricultural holdings was reduced for about half (-46%), although the average size of the holdings increased from 6.7 to 9.3 hectares. The same scenario occurred between 1999 and 2009, with a more intense decrease of the number of agricultural holdings (-62,9%) and an increase of the average size of the holdings from 9,3 to 11,9 hectares. In 2009 only 6% of the holders received their income exclusively from structured holdings (7,3% in 2005 and 11,1% in 1989). Finally, between 1989 and 2009, holders with 65 and more years have increased from 29% to 48%, showing an increasing aging of the Portuguese agrarian population.