The core competitiveness of organic agriculture lies not in the 'concept,' but in trust. Global experience in the development of the organic industry shows that all mature and large-scale organic markets are built on a foundation of high social trust.
一. The Fundamental Issue in the Development of the Organic Industry: Establishing Social Trust
According to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements), the four principles of organic agriculture are: Health, Ecology, Fairness, and Care.
Among these, 'Fairness' and 'Care' essentially point to the same core principle—being responsible to consumers and society.
In reality, the biggest challenge facing the organic industry is not technology, but:
- Consumers' doubts about whether products are truly organic
- Market skepticism about the fairness of organic premiums
- The risk within the industry of 'bad money driving out good money'
Multiple international consumer surveys show that organic products are a typical example of 'information asymmetry goods.' Research indicates that about 70% of consumers forgo purchasing organic products due to doubts about their authenticity.
In the Chinese market, over 60% of consumers are skeptical about the authenticity of organic labels;
In mature markets in Europe and the U.S., even with robust certification systems, around 30%–40% of consumers still want more process-related information than what certification provides.
Supporting data: According to the 'Global Organic Agriculture Overview' report, the global organic food market has exceeded 120 billion euros. In markets with well-established trust mechanisms (such as Denmark and Switzerland), the market share of organic products can exceed 10%; however, in markets with weak trust foundations, even with immense potential, the market share often falls below 1%.
Logic enhancement: Trust is not a moral appeal but an economic cost. Building trust can significantly reduce the 'explanation cost' of brand marketing and the 'decision-making cost' for consumers.
The conclusion is very clear: Certification is a necessary condition, but it is far from sufficient.
二. Where Trust Comes From: Transparency Across the Product Lifecycle
Trust does not stem from verbal promises but from information disclosure that is verifiable, traceable, and auditable. Simply having an 'organic certificate' is no longer enough to support consumer confidence in high-end products. We need to achieve full-process transparency from 'farm to fork' through digital means.
For organic products to build long-term trust, it is necessary to move from 'compliance with results' to 'transparency of the process.'
That is: not only must we prove that 'the final product is organic,' but also demonstrate 'how the entire lifecycle is made organic step by step.'
This requires transparent management throughout the entire product lifecycle, including but not limited to:
- Growing environment
- Use of inputs
- Production management process
- Storage, transportation, and packaging
三. What to make transparent: Key elements using the planting stage as an example
（一）. Transparency of Crop Growth Environment Data
— This is the physical foundation of organic farming
The premise of organic agriculture is ecological safety. Mainstream international organic standards (EU Organic, USDA Organic, China's Organic Standard GB/T 19630) explicitly require:
- No banned pesticides or heavy metal residues in the soil
- Irrigation water must meet agricultural water safety standards
- The planting area should be far from pollution sources (factories, major roads, etc.)
Recommended transparent data include:
Soil testing data:
- Heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium, etc.)
- Pesticide residues (especially legacy pesticides)
- Organic matter content, pH value
Water quality testing data:
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides and chemical pollutants
- Microbial indicators
Air and surrounding environment information:
- Distance to pollution sources
- Status of buffer zone setup
Data basis: According to China's GB/T 19630 standard, the conversion period for organic farms usually requires 2–3 years. Transparent data should demonstrate:
- Soil: Heavy metal content (cadmium, mercury, lead, etc.) is far below national standard limits.
- Irrigation water: Meets farmland irrigation water quality standards (GB 5084).
Environmental significance: Studies show that under organic management, soil organic matter content is on average over 20% higher than conventional farming, which is the most convincing "healthy baseline" in transparent data.
Key points:
- Data must come from accredited third-party testing agencies
- Data should have continuity over time, not just a one-time test
（二) Full Transparency in the Use of Inputs — This Is the Core of Organic Credibility
International organic systems generally follow one principle:
Permitted inputs must be either 'naturally derived' or 'nature-identical.'
Take the EU and IFOAM systems as examples:
Every input must be listed on a positive list and strictly adhere to the principle of 'natural or nature-identical.' Fertilizers and biopesticides undergo comprehensive and dynamic evaluation.
This includes assessment of ecological impact, residue risks, and effects on soil and biodiversity. Electronic records are maintained for all incoming and outgoing inputs, and every bottle of biological product and every ton of organic fertilizer must have a traceable evaluation report.
Recommended transparency includes:
List of inputs
- Fertilizers (compost, fermented farmyard manure, mineral fertilizers, etc.)
- Pest and disease control substances (plant-based, microbial, physical control methods)
- Prohibition of any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or growth regulators
Evaluation and compliance basis
- Compliance with national organic input standards
- Reference to IFOAM / EU / USDA organic input lists
- Assessment conclusions on whether the input is nature-identical
Full traceability of use records
- Time of use
- Dosage
- Purpose of use
Reference data:
In the EU organic system, over 70% of certification non-compliance cases are concentrated on irregular input management or incomplete record-keeping.
Data basis: The EU organic farming standards strictly limit the use of synthetic chemical pesticides. Data shows that consistent organic input management can increase farmland biodiversity by 30%. Transparent evaluation reports are the strongest shield against accusations of 'fake organic' or misuse of chemicals.
(三) Transparency in Storage, Transportation, and Packaging — Preventing "Last-Mile Contamination"
Organic products are not automatically safe just because they are grown organically. Improper handling in the later stages can also compromise their organic integrity. For storage, processing, and transportation, it is essential to prove the effectiveness of "physical separation" to prevent cross-contamination. Supply chain losses are a major pain point in the organic industry. Making cold chain and packaging processes transparent can reduce loss rates by 15%-20%, and by demonstrating clean transportation, it ensures that the final pesticide residue levels in the product remain at "undetectable" levels (usually below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/kg).
International organic standards generally require:
- Organic products must be physically separated from conventional products,
- Storage and transportation must be free from chemical contamination,
- Packaging materials must not transfer harmful substances.
Recommended transparency measures include:
Storage conditions:
- Whether stored in dedicated warehouses or areas,
- Measures to prevent cross-contamination.
Transportation:
- Whether transported by dedicated vehicles or via clean transportation methods,
- Records of container cleanliness.
Packaging compliance:
- Safety of packaging materials,
- Avoid using coatings or additives containing harmful substances.
4. Conclusion: Transparency is not a cost, but a moat for the organic industry, with a "trust premium".
In an era of high information symmetry:
- Lack of transparency is the greatest risk,
- Transparency is the most cost-effective brand investment.
When consumers can clearly see:
"What is the condition of this land → What was used → How it was grown → How it was stored → How it was delivered to me"
Trust no longer relies on marketing, but forms naturally.
The true direction for upgrading in the organic industry is not more complex concepts, but clearer facts.
When transparency covers the entire process from environmental monitoring → input control → flexible supply chain, companies will gain:
- Pricing power: Consumers are willing to pay a 30%-150% premium for "verifiable truth".
- Compliance risk reduction: Decreases the risk of brand damage caused by failed regulatory inspections.
- Brand moat: Establishes a "transparency technology moat" that competitors cannot easily replicate in the short term.