Organic farms like this one in coastal Uruguay are drawing a new crop of foreign visitors.

With spring upon us and the growing season ready for liftoff, agricultural activities in Argentina and Uruguay are becoming more organic and attracting more foreign tourists in the process. According to FreshPlaza.com, Argentina now has the second largest land area dedicated to organic production.

Argentina’s 10 million organic acres are only surpassed by Australia with 30 million; the U.S., China and Brazil all have fewer than 5 million acres under production. Organic fruit accounts for 36% of Argentina’s foreign sales while juices and wines account for 8%, a figure that will rise as more Argentine wineries add organic offerings to their product mix.

When asked why organic makes sense in Argentina, one of the owners of Jean Bousquet in Mendoza told iEco, “Argentina is virgin, it’s organic, there is good drainage, good rainfall. If we go organic, the grape is healthier. We win in terms of quality even though it is more expensive, because obviously it’s easier to treat with pesticides.” The extra effort is paying off, as the Tupungato vineyard’s Malbec Gran Reserva 2008 was chosen Best Argentine Wine at the 2010 International Wine Challenge.

While organic farming is booming on this side of the River Plate, agritourism is on the rise in Uruguay, according to El Observador. Uruguay now has over 100 businesses, farms and estancias dedicated to “turismo rural” which is a real draw for foreign tourists looking for a unique travel experience where they can roll up their sleeves and reconnect with nature.

Alicia Morales, the VP of SUTUR, the Uruguay Rural Tourism Organization, explains the draw of rural tourism in Uruguay: “Uruguay receives a wealth of foreign visitors interested in rural tourism, in the tranquility of our countryside, in the freedom to unwind and above all enjoy the security and hospitality of our estancias.”  (Full Story in Spanish)