M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
Organic farming in Europe - statistics & facts
The term “organic” broadly applies to a method of crop and livestock production that involves abstaining from the use of pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic farming, which arose after the industrialization of agriculture in the 1900s, aims at protecting the environment, preserving the soil nutrients and maintaining biological diversity within the system. In addition, it promotes the use of crop rotation and cover crops and stimulates a balanced host-predator relationship.
Organic agricultural production includes several different products depending on the geographical area of the country and the environmental background. For instance, in Italy, there is a large amount of land used for organic cereal farming. Denmark, on the other hand, produces more organic dairy products, producing 25 million kilograms of organic eggs in 2021.
Organic agricultural land
Europe held 17.8 million hectares of organic agricultural land as of 2021. Among the leading countries in the organic farming industry, France and Spain stand out in terms of organic agricultural land. Italy and France are countries with the most organic producers. A further specification worth mentioning is the use of farmland. It is possible to distinguish between arable and permanent crops, permanent grassland, and other uses.Organic production in Europe
The number of organic producers in the European Union countries amounted to about 378 thousand in 2021. Similarly, the number of organic processors in the EU has increased in the past several years peaking at 82.5 thousand in the year 2021.Organic agricultural production includes several different products depending on the geographical area of the country and the environmental background. For instance, in Italy, there is a large amount of land used for organic cereal farming. Denmark, on the other hand, produces more organic dairy products, producing 25 million kilograms of organic eggs in 2021.
Growing organic market in Europe
The boom in the organic agriculture industry is accompanied by a positive growing trend in the organic food market in Europe. In fact, the organic retail sales value in 2021 amounted to 54.5 billion euros, over four times the value from 15 years prior. Demand for organic foods is also on the rise, primarily driven by personal health choices and the adoption of certain diets. The per capita consumption of organic food is highest in Switzerland at around 425 euros, followed by Denmark and Luxembourg.
