Bringing European organic to Filipino tables:
Naturland sparks movement for organic food adoption

Naturland e.V., one of the world’s leading international associations for organic agriculture, is driving conversations on the importance of adopting organic food in the Philippines. 

On EU Organic Day, the association launched “European Organic: Nurturing Every Juan,” a three-year awareness campaign implemented in collaboration with the European Union, to make organic food more accessible to Filipinos. 

During the launch event, guests were treated to  a curated lunch at Grace Park Dining, a restaurant from celebrated chef, Margarita Fores’ legacy, and a strong supporter of the organic movement in the Philippines. Each dish featured an EU organic product, highlighting the quality and care that went into every meal and the high standards behind every EU-certified organic product. 

The launch comes at a time when demand for healthier and more sustainable food choices is growing in the Philippines, but options and support remain limited. According to the PwC 2025 Voice of the Consumer report, 67% of Filipinos consider nutritional value a key factor in food purchases. Similarly, a study by Food Industry Asia revealed that 99% of Filipino consumers want to adopt mindful eating habits, with many calling on the food industry to help make these choices more attainable.

Marco Schlüter, Managing Director for Strategy and International Affairs at Naturland e.V., discussed how organic agriculture can play a key role in addressing food security while providing healthier options.  

 “Organic is not just a label—it’s a promise of integrity, transparency, and sustainability that creates value for people, businesses, and the planet. By choosing organic, we are working with nature, not against it.” he said.

In a panel discussion, Tom van der Meulen, Managing Director of Control Union Philippines, explained how organic products in the market earn their organic certification label. 

Under EU regulations, organic food production is guided by principles that protect both people and the planet. These include the prohibition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), limited use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and 100% organic feed for animals. Farmers are also required to maintain soil and plant health through natural methods–reducing environmental impact while supporting food security. 

Products that meet these requirements earn the EU organic logo, which indicates the code number of the certifying inspection body and the origin of ingredients.

“Certifications like the EU organic logo and the Naturland seal indicate that products have been independently verified by third parties to meet strict standards of transparency, sustainability, and quality. When customers see these on the products on the shelves, they are assured that these products were produced with care and comply with high quality standards of organic practices,” said van der Meulen.

Naturland goes beyond EU organic standards, as it upholds stricter social responsibility and fair employment practices. Its social standards cover working conditions, social benefits, and the protection of human rights, applying not only to farmers but also to producers and retailers.

“Our mission is to drive the shift to organic forward in the Philippines. As we share further knowledge about organic practices  and engage with more stakeholders in the local food sector , we hope to make organic more accessible to every Juan, aim to empower every Juan to embrace EU organic products with confidence. We invite Filipino consumers and businesses to join us in this movement,” Schlüter said.

Over the next three years, the campaign will roll out consumer education programs  and work with trade commissions and other stakeholders from the B2B sector to deepen Filipinos’ understanding of what organic truly means and embrace organic options, as we journey to make it part of everyday life.

To learn more about European organic and Naturland, follow the European Organic for Every Juan Facebook page.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.