Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBLIFOAM – Organics International

The World of Organic Agriculture
Statistics and Emerging Trends 2023
Edited by
Helga Willer, Bernhard Schlatter and Jan Trávníček

PDF version, corrigenda and supplementary material
http://www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2023.html

All of the statements and results contained in this book have been compiled by the authors and are to thebest of their knowledge correct and have been checked by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL
and IFOAM – Organics International. However, the possibility of mistakes cannot be ruled out entirely.
Therefore, the editors, authors and publishers are not subject to any obligation and make no guarantees
whatsoever regarding any of the statements or results in this work; neither do they accept responsibility or
liability for any possible mistakes, nor for any consequences of actions taken by readers based on statements
or advice contained therein. Authors are responsible for the content of their articles. Their opinions do notnecessarily express the views of FiBL or IFOAM – Organics International.
This document has been produced with the support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs(SECO), the Sustainability Fund of Coop Switzerland (Coop Fonds für Nachhaltigkeit) and NürnbergMesse.
The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinions of SECO, Coop Switzerlandor NürnbergMesse.
Should corrections and updates become necessary, they will be published at www.organic‐world.net.
This book is available for download at http://www.organic‐world.net/yearbook/yearbook‐2023.html.
Any inquiries regarding this book and its contents should be sent to Helga Willer, FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick,
Switzerland, e‐mail helga.willer@fibl.org.
Please quote articles from this book individually with name(s) of author(s) and title of article. The same applies to thetables: Please quote source, title of table and then the overall report. The whole report should be cited as:
Willer, Helga, Bernhard Schlatter and Jan Trávníček (Eds.) (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Statistics andEmerging Trends 2023. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, and IFOAM – Organics International,
Bonn. Online Version 2 of February 23, 2023
Die Deutsche Bibliothek – CIP Cataloguing‐in‐Publication‐Dataa catalogue record for this publication is available from Die Deutsche Bibliothek© February 2023. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International.
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland,
Tel. +41 62 865 72 72, e‐mail info.suisse@fibl.org, Internet www.fibl.org
IFOAM – Organics International, Charles‐de‐Gaulle‐Str. 5, 53113 Bonn, Germany, Tel. +49 228 926 50‐10,e‐mail contact@ifoam.bio, Internet www.ifoam.bio, Trial Court Bonn, Association Register no. 8726
Language editing: Lauren Dietemann, FiBL, Frick, Switzerland
Cover: Kurt Riedi, FiBL, Frick, Switzerland
Layout, graphs, infographics: Jan Trávníček, Staré Město, Czech Republic and Bernhard Schlatter, Helga Willer, both
FiBL, Frick, Switzerland
Cover picture: PGS cooperative producing organic vegetables in the Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo:
Pierre Ferrand, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the PacificPrinted by Druckerei Hachenburg PMS GmbH, Saynstraße 18, 57627 Hachenburg, Germany, www.druckerei‐
hachenburg.de/ISBN 978‐3‐03736‐456‐7
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7572890

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Glossary

10

Foreword from SECO

11

Foreword from FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International

12

Foreword from the Editors

13

Acknowledgements

14

Organic Agriculture: Key Indicators and Top Countries

19

The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
Jan Trávníček, Bernhard Schlatter, Lauren Dietemann and Helga Willer

20

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE WORLDWIDE: CURRENT STATISTICS

31

Current Statistics on Organic Agriculture Worldwide: Area, Operators, Retail Sales and International
Trade32
Bernhard Schlatter, Jan Trávníček and Helga Willer

›
›
›
›
›
›

Organic land

34

Organic producers and other operator types

54

Retail sales

60

Export and import data

65

Organic farming in developing countries and emerging markets

68

Land use and key commodities in organic agriculture

70

Organic Cotton
Textile Exchange

124

Organic Palm Oil
Thomas Bernet & Paul van den Berge128

GLOBAL MARKET AND EU ORGANIC IMPORTS

133

The Global Market for Organic Food & Drink
Amarjit Sahota

134

Imports of Organic Agri-food Products into the European Union

137

STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS POLICY SUPPORT147

Worldwide Overview of Regulations and Policies on Agroecological Approaches
Including Organic
Xhona Hysa, Vladislav Zhmailo and Gábor Figeczky

148

Participatory Guarantee Systems in 2022
Sara Anselmi and Flávia Moura e Castro

157

AFRICA165

Developments in Organic Agriculture in Africa
David M. Amudavi, Venancia Wambua, Alex Mutungi, Moses O. Aisu and Olugbenga O. Adeoluwa

166

Kenya
Samuel Ndungu and Martin Njoroge

180

Organic Agriculture in Africa: Key Facts and Figures
Jan Trávníček, Bernhard Schlatter and Helga Willer

187

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

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Table of Contents
ASIA

199

Developments in the Organic Sector in Asia in 2022
Compiled by IFOAM Organics Asia

200

Organic Agriculture in Asia: Key Facts and Figures
Jan Trávníček, Bernhard Schlatter, and Helga Willer

212

EUROPE223

Infographic Organic Agriculture in Europe

224

Organic in Europe: Recent Developments
Emanuele Busacca, Maria Gernert, Bram Moeskops, Amelie Steu and Helga Willer

225

Europe and the European Union: Key indicators 2021

234

Organic Farming and Market Development in Europe and the European Union
Helga Willer. Bernhard Schlatter, Jan Trávníček, and Diana Schaack235

Organic in Ukraine
Taras Vysotskyi, Andrii Remizov and Natalie Prokopchuk

265

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

277

Organic Agriculture in Latin America
Gabriela Soto and Roberto Ugás

278

Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Facts and Figures
Jan Trávníček, Bernhard Schlatter and Helga Willer

281

NORTH AMERICA

291

Organic in the United States: Ensuring Organic’s Growth and Integrity
Angela Jagiello292

CanadaTia Loftsgard

299

Organic Agriculture in North America: Key Facts and Figures
Jan Trávníček, Bernhard Schlatter and Helga Willer

302

OCEANIA

311

Australia
Kane Frampton

312

A Snapshot of Organics in Aotearoa New Zealand
Tiffany Tompkins

316

The Pacific Islands
Karen Mapusua

322

Organic Agriculture in Oceania: Key Facts and Figures
Jan Trávníček, Bernhard Schlatter and Helga Willer

326

ANNEX
Annex I: Key Indicators by Region and Country
Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Annex III: About the FiBL Survey

4

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334
338
357

Table of Contents
TABLES
Table 1: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) and regions’ shares of the globalorganic agricultural land 2021 ............................................................................................................................. 34
Table 2: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas)by country/territory 2021 (sorted) ....................................................................................................................... 36
Table 3: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) and organic share of total
agricultural land by region 2021 ......................................................................................................................... 39
Table 4: World: Organic shares of total agricultural land by country 2021 (sorted) ......................................... 39
Table 5: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) by region: growth 2020 to 2021, and10 years growth ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
Table 6: World: Development of organic agricultural land by country 2020-2021 ............................................ 43
Table 7: World: Organic areas: Agricultural land (including conversion areas) and further organic areas
by region in 2021 ................................................................................................................................................... 49
Table 8: World: Organic areas: Agricultural land (including conversion areas) and further organic areas bycountry 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................... 49
Table 9: World: Development of the numbers of producers by region............................................................... 54
Table 10: World: Organic producers and other operator types by country 2021 ............................................... 56
Table 11: Global market data: Retail sales and per capita consumption by region 2021 .................................. 61
Table 12: Global market data: Retail sales, organic share of all retail sales and per capita consumption bycountry 2021 .......................................................................................................................................................... 63
Table 13: World: Organic imports to the European Union and US by region 2021 ........................................... 65
Table 14: World: Organic imports to the European Union and US by country of origin 2021 ......................... 66
Table 15: Countries on the DAC list: Development of organic agricultural land 2012-2021 ............................ 69
Table 16: World: Land use in organic agriculture by 2021 ................................................................................... 70
Table 17: Use of organic arable land 2012, 2020 and 2021 compared .................................................................. 73
Table 18: Use of organic permanent cropland 2012, 2020 and 2021 compared .................................................. 73
Table 19: Use of organic arable and permanent cropland 2012, 2020 and 2021 compared ............................... 73
Table 20: Wild collection and beekeeping areas by region 2020 and 2021 compared ....................................... 76
Table 21: Wild collection and beekeeping areas by crop group 2020 and 2021 ................................................. 76
Table 22: Wild collection and beekeeping areas by country 2021........................................................................ 78
Table 23: Number of organic beehives by country 2021 ....................................................................................... 80
Table 24: Organic aquaculture: Production volume by species 2021 .................................................................. 82
Table 25: Organic aquaculture: Production volume by country 2021 ................................................................. 83
Table 26: World: Selected key crop groups and crops area in organic agriculture 2021
(overview including conversion areas) .............................................................................................................. 84
Table 27: Cereals: Organic area by country 2021 ................................................................................................... 87
Table 28: Citrus fruit: Organic area by country 2021............................................................................................. 91
Table 29: Cocoa: Organic area by country 2021 ..................................................................................................... 94
Table 30: Coffee: Organic area by country 2021 .................................................................................................... 97
Table 31: Dry pulses: Organic area by country 2021 ........................................................................................... 100
Table 32: Temperate fruit: Organic area by country 2021 ................................................................................... 104
Table 33: Tropical and subtropical fruit: Organic area by country 2021 ........................................................... 108
Table 34: Grapes: Organic area by country 2021.................................................................................................. 112
Table 35: Oilseeds: Organic area by country 2021 ............................................................................................... 115
Table 36: Olives: Organic area by country 2021 ................................................................................................... 119
Table 37: Vegetables: Organic area by country 2021 ........................................................................................... 122
Table 38: Organic and in-conversion land area and fibre production 2020/2021 ............................................. 127
Table 39: Total agri-food import volumes by class, 2020 and 2021.................................................................... 141
Table 40: Organic fruit and vegetable import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021 ........................ 141
Table 41: Organic arable crops import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021 ................................................ 141
Table 42: Organic permanent crops (excl. fruit) import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021 ........ 142
Table 43: Organic animal products import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021 ............................. 142
Table 44: Organic import volumes by exporting country, 2020 and 2021 ........................................................ 142
Table 45: Organic import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021 .......................................................... 145
Table 46: Organic regulations worldwide by region ........................................................................................... 152
Table 47: Regulations on organic agriculture worldwide................................................................................... 153
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Table of Contents
Table 48: Participatory Guarantee Systems worldwide 2022 ............................................................................. 162
Table 49: Local organic product categories .......................................................................................................... 181
Table 50: Kenya: Development of organic local market and exports ................................................................ 182
Table 51: Registered PGS groups in Kenya .......................................................................................................... 186
Table 52: Africa: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural land andnumber of organic producers 2021 ................................................................................................................... 192
Table 53: Africa: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 ....................................................................................... 192
Table 54: Africa: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country ................................................................... 193
Table 55: Africa: All organic areas 2021 ................................................................................................................ 194
Table 56: Africa: Use of wild collection areas 2021 .............................................................................................. 195
Table 57: Africa: Organic exports to the EU and US by country (totals)........................................................... 195
Table 58: Africa: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity group (totals) ......................................... 196
Table 59: Asia: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural land andnumber of organic producers 2021 ................................................................................................................... 217
Table 60: Asia: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 .......................................................................................... 217
Table 61: Asia: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country ...................................................................... 218
Table 62: Asia: All organic areas 2021 ................................................................................................................... 219
Table 63: Asia: Use of wild collection areas 2021 ................................................................................................. 220
Table 64: Asia: Organic retail sales in 2021........................................................................................................... 220
Table 65: Asia: Organic exports to the EU and US by country .......................................................................... 221
Table 66: Asia: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity .................................................................... 221
Table 67: Europe: Organic agricultural land in Europe and the European Union 2021.................................. 238
Table 68: Europe and the European Union: Land use 2021 ................................................................................ 244
Table 69: Europe and the European Union: Key crops/crop group 2021 .......................................................... 248
Table 70: Europe and European Union: Organic operators 2021....................................................................... 249
Table 71: Europe and the European Union: Organic retail sales 2021: Key data ............................................. 254
Table 72: Organic shares for retail sales values (euros) for selected products 2021 ........................................ 260
Table 73: Europe: Organic agricultural land by country 2021 ........................................................................... 269
Table 74: Europe: Conversion status of organic agricultural land 2021 ............................................................ 270
Table 75: Europe: Land use in organic agriculture by country 2021 ................................................................. 271
Table 76: Europe: Organic agricultural land and wild collection areas by country 2021................................ 272
Table 77: Europe: Organic producers, processors, and importers by country 2021 ........................................ 273
Table 78: Europe and European Union: Organic retail sales 2021* ................................................................... 274
Table 79: Europe: International Trade 2021.......................................................................................................... 275
Table 80: European Union: EU organic imports by EU Member State 2021 (EU 27)....................................... 276
Table 81: Latin America and the Caribbean: Organic agricultural land,organic share of total agricultural land and number of organic producers 2021 ........................................ 286
Table 82: Latin America and the Caribbean: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 ........................................ 287
Table 83: Latin America and the Caribbean: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country .................... 287
Table 84: Latin America and the Caribbean: All organic areas 2021 ................................................................. 288
Table 85: Latin America and the Caribbean: Use of wild collection areas 2021 ............................................... 289
Table 86: Latin America and the Caribbean: Organic exports to the EU and US by country ......................... 289
Table 87: Latin America and the Caribbean: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity (totals) ..... 289
Table 88: Brazil: Development of the number of producers and the organic area according to the Ministry ofAgriculture, Livestock and Food in Brazil * .................................................................................................... 290
Table 89: Northern America: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural land andnumber of organic producers 2021 .................................................................................................................. 307
Table 90: Northern America: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 .................................................................. 307
Table 91: Northern America: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country .............................................. 308
Table 92: Northern America: All organic areas 2021 ........................................................................................... 308
Table 93: Northern America: Use of wild collection areas 2021......................................................................... 308
Table 94: Northern America: Organic retail sales in 2021................................................................................... 308
Table 95: Northern America: Organic exports to the EU and US by country (totals) ..................................... 308
Table 96: Northern America: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity ............................................ 308
Table 97: New Zealand’s organic market – key data .......................................................................................... 316
Table 98: Development of the number of organic operators and operations 1997-2020 ................................. 318

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Table 99: New Zealand’s top 5 organic export markets...................................................................................... 318
Table 100: Pacific Islands/Oceania: Main products from the Pacific Islands .................................................... 323
Table 101: Oceania: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural land andnumber of organic producers 2021 ................................................................................................................... 331
Table 102: Oceania: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country .............................................................. 331
Table 103: Oceania: All organic areas 2021 ........................................................................................................... 332
Table 104: Oceania: Use of wild collection areas 2021......................................................................................... 332
Table 105: Oceania: Organic retail sales 2021 ....................................................................................................... 332
Table 106: Oceania: Organic exports to the EU and US by country 2021 (totals)............................................. 332
Table 107: Oceania: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity 2021 (totals) ...................................... 333
Table 108: Key indicators by region 2021 ............................................................................................................. 334
Table 109: Key indicators by country 2021 ........................................................................................................... 334

FiguresFigure 1: World: Distribution of organic agricultural land by region 2021 ........................................................ 35
Figure 2: World: The ten countries with the largest areas of organic agricultural land 2021 ........................... 35
Figure 3: World: Countries with an organic share of the total agricultural landof at least 10 percent 2021 .................................................................................................................................... 38
Figure 4: World: Growth of the organic agricultural land and organic share 2000-2021 .................................. 42
Figure 5: World: Growth of the organic agricultural land by continent 2000 to 2021 ....................................... 42
Figure 6: World: The ten countries with the highest increase of organic agricultural land 2021 ..................... 43
Figure 7: World: Distribution of all organic areas 2021. Total: 108.3 million hectares ...................................... 48
Figure 8: World: Distribution of organic producers by region 2021 (Total: 3.7 million producers) ................ 55
Figure 9: World: The ten countries with the largest numbers of organic producers 2021 ................................ 55
Figure 10: Global market for organic food: Distribution of retail sales by country 2021 .................................. 61
Figure 11: Global market for organic food: Distribution of retail sales by region 2021 .................................... 61
Figure 12: Global market: The countries with the largest markets for organic food 2021 ................................ 62
Figure 13: Global market: The ten countries with the highest per capita consumption 2021 ........................... 62
Figure 14 (left): Countries on the DAC list: The ten countries with thelargest areas of organic agricultural land in 2021 ............................................................................................. 69
Figure 15 (right): Countries on the DAC list: The ten countries with thehighest organic shares of the total agricultural land in 2021 ........................................................................... 69
Figure 16: World: Distribution of main land use types by region 2021 .............................................................. 71
Figure 17: World: Distribution of main land use types and key crop categories 2021 ...................................... 71
Figure 18: World: Development of organic farmland by landuse 2004-2021 ..................................................... 72
Figure 19: World: Distribution of organic arable cropland by region 2021 ........................................................ 74
Figure 20: World: Use of arable cropland by crop group 2021 ............................................................................ 74
Figure 21: World: Distribution of permanent cropland by region 2021 .............................................................. 75
Figure 22: World: Use of permanent cropland by crop group 2021 .................................................................... 75
Figure 23: World: Distribution of organic wild collection and beekeeping areas by region in 2021 ............... 77
Figure 24: World: The ten countries with the largest organic wild collection andbeekeeping areas in 2021...................................................................................................................................... 77
Figure 25: World: Distribution of organic beehives by region in 2021 ................................................................ 80
Figure 26: World: Organic aquaculture production volume: Distribution by continent and
top 10 countries 2021 ............................................................................................................................................ 82
Figure 27: World: Organic aquaculture production volume: Distribution by species and key species 2021 . 83
Figure 28: Cereals: Organic area 2021 ..................................................................................................................... 85
Figure 29: Cereals: Organic area 2021 ..................................................................................................................... 86
Figure 30: Citrus fruit: Organic area 2021............................................................................................................... 89
Figure 31: Citrus fruit: Organic area 2021............................................................................................................... 90
Figure 32: Cocoa: Organic area 2021 ....................................................................................................................... 92
Figure 33: Cocoa: Organic area 2021 ....................................................................................................................... 93
Figure 34: Coffee: Organic area 2021 ....................................................................................................................... 95
Figure 35: Coffee: Organic area 2021 ....................................................................................................................... 96
Figure 36: Dry Pulses: Organic area 2021 ............................................................................................................... 98
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Figure 37: Dry Pulses: Organic area 2021 ............................................................................................................... 99
Figure 38: Temperate fruit: Organic area 2021 ..................................................................................................... 102
Figure 39: Temperate Fruit: Organic area 2021 .................................................................................................... 103
Figure 40: Tropical and subtropical fruit: Organic area 2021 ............................................................................. 106
Figure 41: Tropical and subtropical fruit: Organic area 2021 ............................................................................. 107
Figure 42: Grapes: Organic area 2021.................................................................................................................... 110
Figure 43: Grapes: Organic area 2021.................................................................................................................... 111
Figure 44: Oilseeds: Organic area 2021 ................................................................................................................. 113
Figure 45: Oilseeds: Organic area 2021 ................................................................................................................. 114
Figure 46: Olives: Organic area 2021 ..................................................................................................................... 117
Figure 47: Olives: Organic area 2021 ..................................................................................................................... 118
Figure 48: Vegetables: Distribution of organic area by crop group 2021 .......................................................... 120
Figure 49: Vegetables: Organic area 2021............................................................................................................. 121
Figure 50: Development of organic cotton fibre production .............................................................................. 125
Figure 51: Organic palm oil exports to the European Union ............................................................................. 130
Figure 52: Organic palm oil exports to the European Union ............................................................................. 131
Figure 53: Growth in Global Market for Organic Food & Drink, 2001-2021 .................................................... 134
Figure 54: EU organic imports 2018-2021 ............................................................................................................. 137
Figure 55: EU organic imports by country of origin 2021................................................................................... 139
Figure 56: Distribution of EU organic imports by product group and country of origin 2021 ...................... 140
Figure 57: Development of PGS-certified producers worldwide 2010-2022 .................................................... 158
Figure 58: Africa: Knowledge products per region (status as of October 2022) ............................................... 171
Figure 59: Africa: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021 ...................................... 189
Figure 60: Africa: The countries with the highest organic share of total agricultural land 2021.................... 189
Figure 61: Africa: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021 .......................................................... 190
Figure 62: Africa: Use of organic agricultural land 2021 .................................................................................... 190
Figure 63: Africa: Commodities exported to the EU and US (export volume in MT) ..................................... 191
Figure 64: Africa: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export volume in MT) ................................... 191
Figure 65: Asia: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021 ......................................... 214
Figure 66: Asia: The countries with the highest organic share of total farmland 2021 ................................... 214
Figure 67: Asia: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021 ............................................................. 215
Figure 68: Asia: Use of organic agricultural land 2021 ....................................................................................... 215
Figure 69: Asia: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export volume in MT) ...................................... 216
Figure 70: Asia: Key commodity groups exported to the EU and US (export volume in MT)....................... 216
Figure 71: European Union: Growth of organic farmland and retail sales 2000–2021 compared .................. 225
Figure 72: Europe and European Union: Distribution of organic farmland by country 2021 ........................ 239
Figure 73: Europe: Organic agricultural land by country 2021 .......................................................................... 240
Figure 74: Europe: Organic shares of total agricultural land 2021 .................................................................... 241
Figure 75: Europe and the European Union: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021 ............. 242
Figure 76: Europe: Growth rates for organic agricultural land in Europe and the European Union 2000-2021 .................................................................................................................... 242
Figure 77: Europe: The ten countries with the highest growth in organic agricultural land in hectares andrelative growth in 2021 ....................................................................................................................................... 243
Figure 78: Europe and European Union: Distribution of land use in organic agriculture 2021 ..................... 245
Figure 79: Europe: Growth in organic agricultural land by land use type 2004-2021 ..................................... 246
Figure 80: European Union: Growth in organic agricultural land by land use type 2004-2021 ..................... 246
Figure 81: Europe: Land use in organic agriculture - top 10 countries 2021 .................................................... 247
Figure 82: Europe and the European Union: Development of the number oforganic producers 2000-2021 ............................................................................................................................. 250
Figure 83: Europe: Distribution of organic producers and processors by country 2021 ................................. 250
Figure 84: Europe: Number of organic producers by country 2021 .................................................................. 251
Figure 85: EU organic imports: Top 10 EU importers of organic products ...................................................... 252
Figure 86: Europe: Distribution of retail sales by country and by single market worldwide 2021................ 254
Figure 87: Europe: Retail sales by country 2021 .................................................................................................. 255
Figure 88: Growth of organic retail sales in Europe and the European Union, 2000-2021 ............................. 257
Figure 89: Europe: The countries with the highest organic market growth 2021 ............................................ 257

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Figure 90: Europe: The countries with the highest per capita consumption 2021 ........................................... 258
Figure 91: Europe: Growth of the per capita consumption 2010-2021 .............................................................. 258
Figure 92: Europe: The countries with the highest shares of the total retail sales 2020 and 2021 .................. 259
Figure 93: Europe: Marketing channels for organic products in selected countries 2021 ............................... 261
Figure 94: Europe: Growth of marketing channels for organic products 2017-2021 in selected countries ... 262
Figure 95: Latin America and the Caribbean: The ten countries with thelargest organic agricultural area 2021............................................................................................................... 283
Figure 96: Latin America and the Caribbean: Highest organic area shares 2021 ............................................. 283
Figure 97: Latin America and the Caribbean: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021 ............ 284
Figure 98: Latin America and the Caribbean: Use of organic agricultural land 2021 ...................................... 284
Figure 99: Latin America and the Caribbean: Key commodity groups exported to the EU and US(export volume in MT) ....................................................................................................................................... 285
Figure 100: Latin America and the Caribbean: Key countries exporting to the EU and US(export volume in MT) ....................................................................................................................................... 285
Figure 101: North America: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021 ..................... 304
Figure 102: North America: The countries with the highest organic share of total agricultural land 2021 .. 304
Figure 103: North America: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021 ......................................... 305
Figure 104: Northern America: Use of organic agricultural land 2021 ............................................................. 305
Figure 105: North America: Key commodity groups exported to the EU and US (export volume in MT) .. 306
Figure 106: Northern America: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export volume in MT) ............ 306
Figure 107: New Zealand: Sales channels for Organic products 2021............................................................... 317
Figure 108: Oceania: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021 ................................. 328
Figure 109: Oceania: The countries with the highest organic share of total agricultural land 2021 .............. 328
Figure 110: Oceania: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021 ..................................................... 329
Figure 111: Oceania: Use of organic agricultural land 2021 ............................................................................... 329
Figure 112: Oceania: Key commodity groups exportseeed to the EU and US (export volume in MT) ......... 330
Figure 113: Oceania: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export volume in MT) .............................. 330

Maps
Map 1: Organic agricultural land in 2021 ............................................................................................................... 31
Map 2: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Africa 2021...................................................................... 165
Map 3: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Asia 2021 ........................................................................ 199
Map 4: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Europe 2021.................................................................... 223
Map 5: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean 2021 ....................... 277
Map 6: Organic agricultural land in Canada and the United States 2021 ......................................................... 291
Map 7: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Oceania 2021 .................................................................. 311

Infographics
Infographic 1: Organic agriculture worldwide - key indicators 2021 ................................................................. 30
Infographic 2: Organic farmland 2021 .................................................................................................................... 33
Infographic 3: Organic producers 2021................................................................................................................... 53
Infographic 4: Organic retail sales 2021 .................................................................................................................. 59
Infographic 5: EU and US organic imports 2021.................................................................................................... 64
Infographic 6: Organic Agriculture in Europe 2021 ............................................................................................ 224

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9

Glossary

Glossary€/person: Per capita consumption in euros
AfrONet: African Organic Network
AMI: Agrarmarkt-Informationsgesellschaft - Agricultural Market Information Company, Germany
AU/AUC: African Union /African Union Commission
CAP: Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union
CAADP: Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme
CIAO: Comisión Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica/ Inter-American Commission for Organic
Agriculture
CIHEAM: Centre international de hautes études agronomiques méditerranéennes/ International Centre forAdvanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies
COTA: Canada Organic Trade Association
CPC: Candidates and Potential Candidates for the European Union
CSC: Continental Steering Committee of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative for Africa(EOA-I)
EFTA: European Free Trade Association
EOA: Ecological Organic Agriculture
EOA-I: Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative for Africa
EU: European Union
EU27: Member countries of the European Union from 2020 onward
Eurostat: Statistical office of the European Union, Luxembourg
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
FAOSTAT: Statistics Division of FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
FiBL: Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Switzerland
GATS: Global Agricultural Trade System of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
GIZ: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit/German Agency for International
Cooperation
GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard
ha: Hectares
Horizon 2020: Research and Innovation Programme of the European Union, running from 2014 to 2020
Horizon Europe: Research and Innovation Programme of the European Union, running from 2021
HS codes: Harmonized System Codes
ISOFAR: International Society of Organic Agriculture Research
IFOAM – Organics International: Formerly International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements(IFOAM)
ITC: International Trade Centre, Switzerland
MOAN: Mediterranean Organic Agriculture Network hosted by CIHEAM Bari, Italy
MT: Metric tons
NOARA: Network of Organic Agriculture Researchers in Africa
OTA: Organic Trade Association, United States of America
Power BI: Interactive data visualization software product developed by Microsoft for business intelligence
PGS: Participatory Guarantee Systems
POETcom: Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community
SECO: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Switzerland
SÖL: Stiftung Ökologie & Landbau – Foundation Ecology & Agriculture, Germany
TP Organics: European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming
TRACES: TRAde Control and Expert System The European Commission's online platform for sanitary andphytosanitary certification required for EU imports
U.S.: United States
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture

10

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Foreword from SECO

Foreword from SECO
In the dynamic field of organic agriculture, access to good quality data on organic
farming helps to measure success toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
and serves as a resource for sound analysis and informed decision-making byresearchers, policymakers, industry actors and other stakeholders along the wholevalue chain. Data can also support the development of a favourable policy
environment, reliable regulations and standards, as well as transparency in the organic
sector.
This report, which looks at the consolidated data from 2021, shows that once again,increasing demand for organic products stimulated growth in the organic sector, withorganic food sales reaching the 125 billion euro mark. Growth was recorded in many
advanced markets for organic products. The production side is also keeping pace: thelatest data shows that organic farmland grew in many countries, and the total organicarea increased to more than 76 million hectares, representing 1.6 percent of agriculturalland worldwide, managed by more than three million producers. Consumer demandfor organic foods increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidenceshows that this trend continued in 2021 as retail sales have risen, albeit not at the samerate as during the initial period of the pandemic.
Of course, the development of organic markets and production is likely to be affectedby global challenges such as the energy and inflation crises as well as the repercussionsof the war in Ukraine. Once the data for 2022 becomes available, it will become apparent
to what extent organic may be impacted by these factors.
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs wants to help actors in the internationalorganic industry to navigate these and other challenges and seize opportunities for the
benefit of all. By supporting dynamic and easy access to organic market and production
data, we thus aim to offer a global public good in support of decision-makers ingovernmental administrations, the private sector, development agencies, NGOs, andthe private sector.

Dr. Monica Rubiolo
Head of the Division for Trade Promotion
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Bern, Switzerland

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

11

Foreword from FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International

Foreword from FiBL and IFOAM – Organics
International
With the 24th edition, FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International proudly present a newedition of “The World of Organic Agriculture.”
Data collection is a major and constant concern of the Research Institute of Organic
Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International. The comprehensive data provided
over more than two decades in this publication serves as an important tool for stakeholders,
policymakers, authorities, the industry, as well as researchers and extension professionals.
It has also proven useful for development programs and supporting strategies for organic
agriculture and markets and crucial for monitoring the impact of these activities. The
publication also shows our ongoing engagement with transparency in the organic sector; themethod of collecting the data has been refined over time to reflect the global status of organic
as much as possible. “The World of Organic Agriculture” has become one of the mostfrequently quoted pieces of literature in scientific, technical, and descriptive articles andreports on organic agriculture.
This publication also demonstrates the contribution of organic agriculture to overarchingsustainability strategies like the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union’s
Farm to Fork Strategy.
Given that organic agriculture contributes substantially to all of the goals and strategies, thisbook not only shows the land area, number of producers and market figures; it also
highlights the contribution of organic agriculture to tackling climate change, ensuring foodand nutrition security, halting biodiversity loss, and promoting sustainable consumption
and therewith its contribution to transforming food systems as a whole. Overall, “The Worldof Organic Agriculture” shows the potential of organic farming to contribute to a sustainable
future!
We are grateful to the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Coop
Sustainability Fund and Nürnberg Messe for supporting this publication. We would like toexpress our thanks to all authors and data providers for contributing in-depth informationand figures on their region, their country, or their field of expertise.
Lastly, we would like to thank the editorial team for their dedication and engagement, andwe would also like to express our thanks to the other members of the FiBL team who support
the activities surrounding the data collection.
Frick and Bonn, February 2023
Prof. Dr. Knut Schmidtke
Director of Research, Extension and Innovation
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL
Frick, Switzerland

12

Marco Schlüter
Interim Executive Director
IFOAM – Organics International
Bonn, Germany

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Foreword from the Editors

Foreword from the Editors
In the 24th edition of “The World of Organic Agriculture”, we present the latest available
data on organic agriculture worldwide.
Again, many experts have provided valuable data. We are very grateful to all those
who supplied data and information from all over the world and our supporters: theSwiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the Coop Sustainability Fund, Nürnberg
Messe and IFOAM – Organics International.
Furthermore, for this edition, the data collection efforts were supported as part of theEuropean Union- and Switzerland-funded project Organictargets4EU (European data)
and the GIZ project Knowledge Centres for Organic Agriculture in Africa (Africandata).
Knowledgeable authors once again contributed articles about their regions or fields ofexpertise, including the global market report, policy support, public standards andlegislation, Participatory Guarantee Systems, organic cotton and the European Union’sorganic import data. Furthermore, in addition to our regional reports, we received
country reports for Kenya and Ukraine.
As a new addition, we have integrated the EU and US import data into our global andregional statistical analyses. We have also changed the structure of the regional chaptersby adding an overview of key indicators: Area, producers, retail sales and international
trade.
For this edition, we further developed the Power Bi graphics, and most of the figuresin this book are now based on Power BI, allowing fast updates in the future. In addition,
you can explore our interactive Power BI graphics and database athttps://statistics.fibl.org.
Finally, we are happy to announce that the Chinese edition of “The World of Organic
Agriculture” will be published for the 12th time by the Organic and Beyond Company.

Helga Willer, Bernhard Schlatter and Jan Trávníček
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

13

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements
The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International arevery grateful to their supporters for granting financial support for the global data collection
and for the 2021 edition of “The World of Organic Agriculture”: the Swiss State Secretariat
for Economic Affairs (SECO), Economic Development and Cooperation (within theframework of its support activities for organic production in developing countries), Bern,
Switzerland, the Sustainability Fund of Coop Switzerland (Coop Fonds für Nachhaltigkeit),
Basel, Switzerland, and NürnbergMesse, the organizers of BIOFACH, Nürnberg, Germany.
Mohamed Salih Abdalla, GIZ SA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Dr. Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa,
Network of Organic Agriculture Research in Africa (NOARA), University of Ibadan,
Nigeria; Moises Aisu, African Organic Network (AfrONet), Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; EglėAkelaitienė, Ekoagros, Kaunas, Lithuania; Prof. Dr. Uygun Aksoy, Association of
Ecological Agriculture Organization (ETO), Bornova Izmir, Turkey; Dr. Khurshid Alam,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh; Dr. Abdullah Dekhel
Albahi Alkhthami, Department of Organic Production, Ministry of Environment Water
and Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Raed Saleh Almusaylim, Department ofOrganic Production, Saudi Arabia; Patricia Kristel Alvarez Ordoñez, SENASA, Lima,
Peru; Asan Alymkulov, BIO-KG Federation of Organic Development, Kyrgyzstan; Dr.
David Amudavi, Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya; Sara Anselmi, Flocert, Bonn,
Germany; Dr. Stoilko Apostolov, Bioselena: Foundation for organic agriculture, Karlovo,
Bulgaria; Professor Dr. Reza Ardakani, IFOAM-IRAN, Karaj, Iran; Angela Atallah, CCPB
Middle East, Beirut, Lebanon; Dr. Vugar Babayev, Ganja Agribusiness Association(GABA), Ganja City, Azerbaijan; Lisa Barsley, Textile Exchange, Exeter, United Kingdom;
Elif Bayraktar Öktem, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey,
Ankara, Turkey; Florian Bernardi, Klaus Büchel Anstalt, Mauren, Liechtenstein; Thomas
Bernet, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland; Eva Berre,
Ecocert International, L'Isle Jourdain, France; Rommel Aníbal Betancourt Herrera,
Agencia de Regulación y Control Fito y Zoosanitario - AGROCALIDAD, Ministerio de
Agricultura y Ganadería MAG, Quito, Ecuador; Luis Betancur Zuluaga, Federación
Orgánicos de Colombia (FEDEOrgánicos), Bogotá, Colombia; Olivera Bicikliski, Ministryof Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Skopje, North Macedonia; Marian Blom,
Bionext, Ede, The Netherlands; Barbara Böck, NürnbergMesse, Nuremberg, Germany;
Danila Brunner, Nürnberg Messe, Nürnberg, Germany; Dr. Marie Reine Bteich, CIHEAM
Bari, Bari, Italy; Klaus Büchel, Klaus Büchel Anstalt, Mauren, Liechtenstein; Milica
Bućković, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Directorate for
Agriculture, Podgorica, Montenegro; Emanuele Busacca, IFOAM Organics Europe,
Brussels, Belgium; Myroslava Bzhestovska, The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of
Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; Celia Carave Blanco, Ecocert Spain, Seville, Spain; Claudio
Cárdenas, Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG), Santiago de Chile, Chile; Jennifer Chang,
IFOAM Asia, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Dong-Geun Choi, Korean Federation of
Sustainable Agriculture Organizations, Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea;
Ozge Cicekli, Association of Ecological Agriculture Organization (ETO), Turkey; Thomas
Cierpka, IFOAM - Organics International, Bonn, Germany; Genaro Coronel, Servicio
Nacional de Calidad, Sanidad Vegetal y de Semillas (SENAVE), Asuncion, Paraguay;
14

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Acknowledgements
Eduardo Cuoco, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels; Dr. Nune Darbinyan, ECOGLOBE Organic control and certification body, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia; Dr. Wahyudi
David, Food Science and Technology, Universitas Bakrie, Indonesia; Giorgia DeSantis,
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy; Lauren
Dietemann, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland; Dr. Stefan
Dreesmann, German Ukrainian Cooperation in Organic Agriculture, Kyiv, Ukraine; Dr.
Dóra Drexler, Ökológiai Mezőgazdasági Kutatóintézet ÖMKi - Hungarian ResearchInstitute of Organic Agriculture, Budapest, Hungary; Pilar M. Eguillor Recabarren,
Oficina de Estudios y Politicas Agrarias ODEPA, Santiago Centro, Chile; Lucy Ellis,
Department of Agriculture, Stanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas); Li Feng, IFOAM Asia
China Office; Gabor Figeczky, IFOAM - Organics International, Bonn, Germany; Tobias
Fischer, KIWA-BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH, Nürnberg, Germany; Dorian Fléchet, Agence
Bio, Montreuil-sous-Bois, France; Patricia Flores Escudero, IFOAM - Organics
International, Bonn, Germany; Nicole Ford, Australian Organic Ltd, Nundah, Australia;
Kane Frampton, Australian Organic Ltd, Nundah, Australia; Sergiy Galashevskyy,
Organic Standard, Kyiv, Ukraine; Kevin Gallagher, Future of Agriculture (Asia) Virtual
Think Tank, Mongolia; Juan Manuel Gámez, Comisión Interamericana de Agricultura
Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Osvaldo Garcia F., IMOcert Latinoamerica
LTDA, Cochabamba, Bolivia; Maria Gernert, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium;
Om Prakash Ghalley, National Center for Organic Agriculture (NCOA), Ministry ofAgriculture and Forests, Yusipang, Bhutan; Juan Gilardoni, LETIS S.A., Santa Fe,
Argentina; Juliana Gilardoni, LETIS S.A., Santa Fe, Argentina; Dr. Regina Gonda, Control
Union Certifications B.V., Zwolle, The Netherlands; Gunnar Gunnarsson, Vottunarstofan
Tún ehf., Reykjavik, Iceland; Dr. Zuhair Hasnain, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of
Crop and Food sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan;Anders Hellestveit, Norwegian Agriculture Agency Landbruksdirektoratet, Oslo,
Norway; Jan Heusser, Coop Fonds für Nachhaltigkeit, Basel, Switzerland; Brendan J.
Hoare, Organic Agriculture New Zealand OANZ, Auckland, New Zealand; Elda HodžićIsović, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, Sarajevo, Bosnia andHerzegovina; Otto Hofer, Bundesministerium für Nachhaltigkeit und Tourismus, Wien,
Austria; Lee Holdstock, Soil Association Certification Ltd’, Bristol UK; Dr. Shaikh
Tanveer Hossain, IFOAM ̶ Organics International Ambassador, Daishi Ekimae, Japan;
Andrea Hrabalová, Czech Technology Platform for Organic Agriculture CTPOA, Brno,
Czech Republic; Beate Huber, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick,
Switzerland; Silvan Hungerbühler, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, Bern,
Switzerland; Dang Huong, Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association VOAA, Vietnam;
Xhona Hysa, IFOAM - Organics International, Bonn, Germany; Board Director Mohamed
Hoodh Ibrahim, Maldives Island Conservation Project, Maldives; Noshin Ilyas,
Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Dr. Thomas Jacob, Spices Board of India, India; Angela Jagiello,
Organic Trade Association, Washington D.C., United States; Hakkyun Jeong, Korea Institute of
Rural Social Affairs, Chungnam Province, Republic of Korea; Mariam Jorjadze, Elkana Biological Farming Association, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia; Jacob Jose, PDS Organic Spices,
India; Oleksandr Kaliberda, Project “German Ukrainian Cooperation in Organic
Agriculture”; Liudmyla Khomichak, The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of
Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; Natalie Kleine-Herzbruch, FiBL Deutschland, Frankfurt,
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

15

Acknowledgements
Germany; Barbara Köcher-Schulz, AMA-Marketing GesmbH AMA, Wien, Austria; Dr.
Ryoichi Komiya, Organic Shizukuishi, Japan; Lea Konz, OIKOPOLIS Groupe, Munsbach,Luxembourg; Milana Kosanovic, Ecocert Balkan, Belgrad, Serbia; Daniël Kotzé, Ecocert
South Africa, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Weena Krut-ngoen, ACT Certification - Organic
Agriculture Certification Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand; Heinz Kuhlmann, ABC
Enterprises, Tokyo, Japan; Graciela Lacaze, Comisión Interamericana de Agricultura
Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Aura Lamminparras, Pro Luomu, Kauniainen,
Finland; Dr. Nicolas Lampkin, Organic Policy, Business and Research Consultancy; Pedro
A. Landa, Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA), Buenos Aires, Argentina; ÅsaLannhard Öberg, Jordbruksverket, Jönköping, Sweden; Julia Lernoud, Buenos Aires,
Argentina; Ida Lind, Ekologiska Lantbrukarna, Stockholm, Sweden; Dr. Tungalag
Lkhundevjamts, SFCS LLC, Mongolia; Aurora Josefina Lobato García, Subdirectora deAutorización y Aprobación de Organismos de Coadyuvancia, Servicio Nacional de
Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), Secretaría de Agricultura yDesarrollo Rural (SADER), Ciudad de México, México; Tia Loftsgard, Canada Organic
Trade Association, Ottawa, Canada; Pedro Lopez, PROVOTEC, Madrid, Spain; Virginija
Luksiene, Ekoagros, Kaunas, Lithuania; Martin Lundø, Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen,Denmark; Samia Maamer Belkhiria, Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Ressources
Hydrauliques et de la Pêche, Tunis, Tunisia; Dr. Enad Mahdi, National Center for Organic
Farming, Iraq; José Fernando Maldonado Cestona, Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería- Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal (MAG-DGSV), San Salvador, El Salvador; Pandey
Mamrech, Ecocert India, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India; John Manhire, The
AgriBusiness Group, Lincoln, New Zealand; Karen Mapusua, Pacific Community, SPC,
Suva, Fiji; Roberto Maresca, Controllo e Certificazione Prodotti Biologici CCPB, Bologna;
Claudia Meier, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland;
Florentine Meinshausen, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick,
Switzerland; Virgínia Mendes Cipriano Lira, Ministerio de Agricultura, Pecuaria yAbastecimiento (MAPA), Brasilia, Brazil; Yenifer Méndez, MAYACERT, Colonia Mariscal
Guatemala City, Guatemala; Merit Mikk, Centre of Ecological Engineering - Ökoloogiliste
Tehnoloogiate Keskus, Tartu, Estonia; Jelena Milic, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry andWater Economy, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia; Eugene Milovanov, Organic Federation of
Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; Rodrigo Misiac, Ecocert, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Dr. Bram
Moeskops, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium; Carolin Möller, NASAA
Certified Organic, Stirling, Australia; Karla Morales, Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado(SFE), San José, Costa Rica; Flávia Moura e Castro, IFOAM - Organics International, Bonn,
Germany; Alex Mutungi, EOAI Secretariat, c/o Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya;
Satoko Miyoshi, Japan; Farnaz Ghodrati Namin, Azad University of Karaj Branch, Iran;Chariton Namuwoza, National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda NOGAMU,
Kampala, Uganda; Samuel Ndungu, Kenya Organic Agriculture Movement (KOAN),
Nairobi, Kenya; Leandro Duarte Nina Fortuna, Oficina de Control Agricultura Organica,
Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana; Ramón Ernesto Noguera García, Instituto deProteccion y Sanidad Agropecuaria (IPSA), Managua, Nicaragua; Pauline Nuyets,
Certisys, Bolline, Belgium; Tatsiana Ostrouh, Ecoidea project, Minsk, Belarus; Prof. Dr.
Toshio Oyama, Rikkyo University, College of Economics, Tokyo, Japan; Dr. Susanne
Padel, Thünen Institut, Braunschweig; Vitoon Panyakul, Green Net, Bangkok, Thailand;
Ejvind Pedersen, Landbrug & Fødevarer, Copenhagen, Denmark; Petya Pencheva,
16

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Acknowledgements
Bioselena: Foundation for organic agriculture, Karlovo, Bulgaria; Eliza PetrosyanSudzilovskaya, ECOGLOBE - Organic control and certification body, Yerevan, Republic of
Armenia; Johanna Philipps, Ecocert USA, USA; Diego Pinasco, Servicio Nacional de
Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria SENASA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; María José PizarroÁlvarez, Oficina de Estudios y Políticas Agrarias (ODEPA), Santiago Centro, Chile; Ritu
Priya, OneCert international Pvt. Ltd, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; Jolita Prokofjeva, Ekoagros,
Kaunas, Lithuania; Natalie Prokopchuk, Swiss-Ukrainian Program “Higher Value Added
Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), Kyiv, Ukraine; Karol
Przybylak, Redakcja BioKuriera, EKO MEDIA, Bydgoszcz, Poland; Andrii Pyvovarov, The
Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; Andrijana Rakočević,
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Podgorica, Crna Gora/Montenegro;
Brayène Ramanantsoa, Ecocert East Africa, Antananarivo, Madagascar; Juan Carlos
Ramirez, Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria SENASA, Buenos
Aires, Argentina; Hans Ramseier, Bio Suisse, Basel, Switzerland; Pia Reindl, AMAMarketing GesmbH AMA, Wien, Austria; Michel Reynaud, Ecocert International, Office,
L'Isle Jourdain, France; Kurt Riedi, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick,
Switzerland; Ing. Agr Lauro Antonio Rivera Gramajo, Ministerio Agricultura, Ganaderíay Alimentación (MAGA), Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala; Adrien F.V. Rodriguez,
Ecocert Madagascar, Madagascar; Fermín Vicente Romero Houlstan, Dirección Nacionalde Sanidad Vegetal; Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA), Panamá, República
de Panamá; Beth Rotha, Quality Certification Services (CS), Gainesville, Florida, US; Dr.
Monica Rubiolo, Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Bern, Switzerland; Ayman
Saad Al-Ghamdi, Organic Agriculture Department, Saudi Arabia; Amarjit Sahota, Ecovia
Intelligence, London, United Kingdom; Mamadou Sanogo, Ecocert Burkina Faso,
Ougadougou, Burkina Faso; Sisigué Arsène Sanou, Ecocert Burkina Faso, Ougadougou,
Burkina Faso; Diana Schaack, Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH, Bonn,
Germany; Aender Schanck, OIKOPOLIS Groupe, Munsbach, Luxembourg; Marco
Schlüter, Interim Director, IFOAM – Organics International, Bonn, Germany; Prof. Dr.
Knut Schmidtke, Director, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick,
Switzerland; Claudine Schmit, Administration des services techniques de l'agriculture(ASTA), Luxembourg; Hana Šejnohová, Institute of agricultural economics andinformation, Brno, Czech Republic; Dheeraj Sharma, OneCert International Pvt. Ltd,Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; Elene Shatberashvili, Elkana - Biological Farming Association,
Akhaltsikhe, Georgia; Kateryna Shor, Information Center “Green Dossier”, Ukraine; Miki
Soejima, Natural School Lunch Action Japan; Dr. Francesco Solfanelli, Università
Politecnica Marche, Ancona, Italy; Marcela Stahi, Ministry of Agriculture, Regional
Development and Environment of Moldova, Department for Organic Production and
Products of Origin, Chişinău, Moldova; Franziska Staubli, Bioinspecta, Frick, Switzerland;
Amelie Steu, IFOAM Organics Euope, Brussels, Belgium; Glenn Tabiola, Department ofAgriculture, Caraga Region, Philippines; Evonne Tan, Textile Exchange, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia; Dr. Yoko Taniguchi, Setsunan University, Neyagawa, Japan; Ilse Timmermans,
Departement Landbouw en Visserij, Brussels, Belgium; Tiffany Tompkins, Organics
Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ), Auckland, New Zealand; Emma Tsessue, Ecocert SAS,
L'Isle Jourdain, France; Kesang Tshomo, National Organic Flagship Programme, Ministryof Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan; Daava Tungalag, Ministry of Food
Agriculture and Light industry of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Tal Weil Tzameret,
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

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Acknowledgements
Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Plant Protection & Inspection Services(PPIS), Israel; Edgardo Uychiat, Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture Research &Development, The Philippines; Paul Van den Berge, Research Institute of Organic
Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland; Nicolette van der van der Smissen, Consultant for
Organic Production, Feres, Greece; Jelena Vasiljevic, Ministry of Agriculture Serbia,
Belgrade, Serbia; Airi Vetemaa, Estonian Organic Farming Foundation EOFF, Tartu,
Estonia; Taras Vysotskyi, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine,
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyiv city, Ukraine; Venancia
Wambua, Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya; Dr. A.K. Yadav, APEDA, August Kranti
Marg, New Delhi, India; Prof. Dr. Qiao Yuhui, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China; Valentyna Zaiets, The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyiv,
Ukraine; Prof. Dr. Raffaele Zanoli, Università Politecnica delle Marche UNIVPM, Ancona;
Diana Zeidan, Canada Organic Trade Association, Ottawa, Canada; Lisha Zheng, Ecocert
China, Beijing, China; Vladyslav Zhmailo, IFOAM - Organics International, Bonn,
Germany; Zejiang Zhou, IFOAM Asia Advisory Board, Nanjing, China; Silvia Zucconi,
Nomisma - Economic Research Institute, Bologna, Italy

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Statistics › Key Indicators

Organic Agriculture: Key Indicators and Top Countries
Indicator

World

Top countries

Countries with organic
activities1

2021: 191 countries

Organic agricultural land

2021: 76.4 million hectares(1999: 11 million hectares)

Australia (35.7 million hectares)
Argentina (4.1 million hectares)
France (2.8 million hectares)

Organic share of total
agricultural land

2021: 1.6 %Liechtenstein (40.2 %)Samoa (29.1 %)Austria (26.5 %)Increase of organic agriculturalland 2020/2021

1.3 million hectares (ha); +1.7 %China: 319'000 ha (+13 %),France: 228'000 ha (+9 %)Spain: 198'000 ha (+8%)

Wild collection and further
non-agricultural areas

2021: 29.7 million hectares (ha)(1999: 4.1 million hectares)

Finland (6.9 million ha)
Zambia (2.5 million ha)
Namibia (2.3 million ha)

Producers

2021: 3.7 million producers(1999: 200’000 producers)

India (1'599'010)
Uganda (404'246)
Ethiopia (218'175)

Organic market2

2021: 124.8 billion euros(2000: 15.1 billion euros)

US (48.6 billion euros)
Germany (15.9 billion euros)
France (12.7 billion euros)

Per capita consumption

2021: 15.7 euros

Switzerland (425 euros)
Denmark (384 euros)
Luxembourg (313 euros)

Number of countries/
territories with organic
regulations

2022: 74 (fully implemented)

Number of affiliates of IFOAM– Organics International

2022: 791 affiliates

Germany: 81 affiliates
China: 54 affiliates
India: 46 affiliates
USA: 45 affiliates

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on national data sources, data from certifiers and IFOAM – Organics International

1 Where the designation "country" appears in this book, it covers countries and territories, see UNSTAT
website https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/
2 Please note that there are some differences in organic food sales figures from Ecovia Intelligence and thosefrom FiBL due to different methodologies. According to Ecovia Intelligence, global retail sales reached 135.5
billion US dollars in 2021 (see article by Sahota in this volume). One euro corresponded to 1.1827 US dollars
in 2021 according to the European Central Bank.

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19

The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary

The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
Jan Trávníček1, Bernhard Schlatter,2 Lauren Dietemann3 and Helga
Willer4
The latest available data on organic agriculture worldwide show that 2021 was anothergood year for global organic agriculture. According to the latest FiBL survey on organic
agriculture worldwide, organic farmland and organic retail sales continued to growand reached another all-time high, as shown by the data from 191 countries (data as ofthe end of 2021).

Statistics on organic area
More than 76.4 million hectares of organic farmland

In 2021, over 76.4 million hectares of organic agricultural land, including in-conversion
areas, were recorded. The regions with the largest organic agricultural land areas are
Oceania (36.0 million hectares – almost half the world’s organic agricultural land pr 47
percent) and Europe (17.8 million hectares, 23 percent). Latin America had 9.9 million
hectares (13 percent), followed by Asia (6.5 million hectares, 8.5 percent), Northern
America (3.5 million hectares, 4.6 percent) and Africa (2.7 million hectares, 3.5 percent).
Australia has the largest area

Countries with the most organic agricultural land were Australia (35.7 million
hectares), Argentina (4.1 million hectares) and France (2.8 million hectares).
Globally, 1.6 percent of the farmland is organic
In 2021, 1.6 percent of the world’s agricultural land was organic. The highest organic
shares of the total agricultural land, by region, were in Oceania (9.7 percent) and inEurope (3.6 percent; European Union: 9.6 percent).

Liechtenstein had the highest organic share, with 40.2 percent
Some countries reach far higher shares than the global share: Liechtenstein (40.2
percent), Samoa (29.1 percent) and Austria (26.5 percent) had the highest organic
shares. In 20 countries, 10 percent or more of the agricultural land was organic – a newrecord.

Growth in organic farmland – Increase of 1.3 million hectares
Organic farmland increased by 1.3 million hectares (1.7 percent) in 2021. Many
countries reported a significant increase. In absolute terms, the biggest increases were

Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Lauren Dietemann, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
4 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
in China, France and Spain: in China, organic farmland increased by almost 320'000
hectares (+13.1 percent), in France by nearly 228'000 hectares (+8.9 percent) and in Spainby almost 198'000 hectares (+8.1 percent). However, some countries also reported
decreases. The most notable decrease occurred in Argentina, which reported almost
0.38 million hectares less (mainly grazing areas).

Increase of organic farmland in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania
In 2021, organic agricultural land increased in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania (Table5). The highest absolute growth was in Europe (+4.4 percent, +0.75 million hectares),followed by Africa (+17.3 percent, +0.39 million hectares) and Asia (+5.8 percent, +0.36
million hectares), while Latin America and North America reported a decrease oforganic farmland.

Growth in most major crop groups
Land use and crop details were available for over 92 percent of the organic agriculturalland. Some countries with very large organic areas, such as Brazil and India, had little
or no information on their land use (see page 72).
Nearly two-thirds of the organic agricultural land was grassland/grazing areas(almost 50 million hectares), which decreased by 2.5 percent in 2021.
With almost 14.8 million hectares, arable land constituted 19 percent of the organic
agricultural land. An increase of 11.4 percent since 2020 was reported. Most of thiscategory of land was used for cereals, including rice, followed by green fodder fromarable land, oilseeds, textile crops and dry pulses.
Permanent crops accounted for 8.1 percent of the organic agricultural land,amounting to over 6.2 million hectares. Compared to the previous survey, an increaseof almost 829'000 hectares, or 15.4 percent, was reported. The most important crops
were coffee, olives, nuts, grapes and cocoa (see page 70).

Further organic areas
Apart from land dedicated to organic agriculture, there are further areas of organic land
dedicated to other activities. The largest parts of these are wild collection areas andbeekeeping areas. Further non-agricultural areas include aquaculture, forests andgrazing areas on non-agricultural land. These areas totalled 31.8 million hectares, andall the organic areas together summed up to 108.3 million hectares.

Organic cotton
Based on our estimates, the 2020/21 global harvest saw 342’265 tonnes of organic cotton
fibre produced on 621’691 hectares of certified organic land and 180’726 tonnes of inconversion cotton fibre produced on 293’204 hectares of land in-conversion to organic.
Compared to 2019/20, this represents an estimated 37 percent growth in organic cotton
fibre, meaning that 1.4 percent of all cotton grown is estimated to have been organic(See the article by the Textile Exchange on page 124).

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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
Organic palm oil
Bernet and van den Berge (page 128) provide an analysis of the current market situationof organic palm oil, of which more than 20’000 metric tons were imported into theEuropean Union in 2021. They expect the efforts to promote the production ofsustainable palm oil to continue and that in countries where this debate is moreadvanced, consumers will be increasingly aware that private organic standards help
ensure that palm oil is produced in contexts and ways that are favourable for having
positive environmental and social impacts.

Organic operators
Organic producers on the rise – 3.7 million producers in 2021
There were at least 3.7 million organic producers in 2021.1 Forty-nine percent of theworld’s organic producers are in Asia, followed by Africa (31 percent), Europe(12 percent) and Latin America (8 percent). The countries with the most producers are
India (1'599'010), Uganda (404'246) and Ethiopia (218'175) (page 56). There has been an
increase in the number of producers of more than 170'000, or 4.9 percent, compared to2020. For more information, see page 54.

Global market and organic imports
Global market reached nearly 125 billion euros
Organic food and drink sales reached nearly 125 billion euros, according to FiBL (page60)2 3 in 2021. In 2021, the countries with the largest organic markets were the UnitedStates (48.6 billion euros), Germany (15.9 billion euros) and France (12.7 billion euros).
The largest single market was the United States (39 percent of the global market),followed by the European Union (46.7 billion euros, 37 percent) and China (11.3 billion
euros, 9.1 percent). Switzerland had the highest per-capita consumption in 2021, with
425 euros. The highest organic market shares were reached in Denmark (13.0 percent),
Austria (11.6 percent) and Luxembourg (11 percent).
Growth in the global market for organic food and drink slowed in 2021, writes Sahota(page 134). Geopolitical conflicts and rising food prices are having a negative impact on
the global organic food market. After reporting record sales in 2020, market growthslowed to just five percent in 2021. Lower growth is projected for 2022 as consumer
demand weakens; inflation, especially high food prices, and food security concerns are

Please note that some countries report only the numbers of companies, projects, or grower groups, which
may each comprise a number of individual producers. It may be assumed that the total number of organic
producers is higher than that reported here.
2 Please note that there are some differences in organic food sales figures from Ecovia Intelligence and thosefrom FiBL due to different methodologies. According to Ecovia Intelligence, global retail sales reached over
135.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2021.
3 In 2021, 1.1827 US dollars corresponded to 1 euro.
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
affecting demand for organic foods. The European market has been the most adversely
affected.

EU organic imports
US and EU organic imports combined amounted to 4.7 million metric tons in 2021 (seechapter by Schlatter et al., page 32).
In 2021, 2.9 million metric tons of organic agri-food products were imported to theEuropean Union, representing a 2.8 percent increase compared to the 2.8 million MT
imported in 2020.1 A detailed look at the product categories shows that while importsof organic tropical fruit have increased, imports of cereals, oilcake and sugar havedeclined. The main trading partners were Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, bothprincipal exporters of organic bananas. The main importing EU Member States in 2021
were the Netherlands and Germany, which accounted for more than half of the EU
organic imports. For more information, see the summary of the European
Commission’s market brief on organic imports into the European Union in 2021 (page137).

Regulations and policies
Organic regulations
Regarding regulations, according to the latest data collected by IFOAM - Organics
International, in 2022, 74 countries had fully implemented regulations on organic
agriculture. Twenty-one countries had organic regulations that were not fully
implemented, and 15 were drafting legislation. Regions with significant changes were
the European Union, North America, and the Pacific Region. (See article by Hysa et al.
on page 148).

Policies for organic farming
Many countries are setting up policies fostering agroecology and organic agriculture.
In Hysa et al.’s article (page 148), examples from countries all over the world are shown,such as Argentina (creation of a national directorate of agroecology), Saudi Arabia(Organic Agriculture Policy Action Plan), Mexico (policy change to favour good
security and food sovereignty), Ghana (support for organic farming in the frameworkof the Agriculture Sector Development Policy), Tanzania (National Strategy of
Ecological Organic Agriculture) and India (support within the framework of the Indian
Natural Development Programme).

Participatory Guarantee Systems in 2022
IFOAM - Organics International is the only organisation collecting data about
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) on a global level. In 2022, 323 PGS initiatives
were active in 78 countries, with at least 1.4 million producers involved and more than
1.3 million producers certified. These producers were estimated to manage almost 0.9

It should be noted that imports from the United Kingdom (amounting to 0.1 million metric tons) were
included in the 2021 import volume, but not that for 2020. For details see chapter on EU organic imports.
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
million hectares of land. More information, including PGS developments in the regions,is available in the article from Anselmi and Moura e Castro (page 157).

Organic in the Continents
AfricaThere were nearly 2.7 million hectares of certified organic agricultural land in Africa in
2021. Africa reported more than 390’000 hectares more than in 2020, a 17.3 percent
increase, and over 1´123´000 producers. Uganda was the country with the largest
organic area (over 505´000 hectares in 2021), and Uganda had the largest number oforganic producers (more than 404´000). The country with the highest percentage of land
devoted to organic farming in the region was the island state of São Tomé and Príncipe,with 21.1 percent of its agricultural area dedicated to organic crops. The majority ofcertified organic products in Africa are destined for export markets. Key crops arecocoa, olives, coffee, nuts, cotton and oilseeds (see page 187). Five countries in Africa
have legislation on organic agriculture, and seven countries are drafting legislation. Six
countries have a national standard but lack legislation on the definition of organic
farming (East African Organic Product Standard) (See article by Hysa et al. on page 148).
Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa continued to receive much attention fromvarious actors, including farmers, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and otherstakeholders post-COVID-19 pandemic. The Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative(EOA-I) continued to reach out to smallholder farmers. The Knowledge Centre for
Organic Agriculture in Africa (KCOA), with its regional Knowledge Hubs, provided
support for organic agriculture in all parts of Africa through knowledge management,
dissemination and capacity building and market systems development. AfrONet, theumbrella of African Organic Movements, is promoting the establishment of regional
networks and national organic movements (NOAMS) where they do not exist yet. In
collaboration with AfroNet, preparations for the 5th African Organic Conference
started, and it is expected to be held in 2023. The Network for Organic Agriculture
Researchers (NOARA) held the 1st Africa Research Conference in Nigeria from 6 to 8
December 2022 in Ibadan, Nigeria. For more updates about Africa, see the contribution
by Amudavi et al. on page 166.
In their country report about Kenya, Ndungu and Njoroge (page 180) state that despite
a sluggish economy, Kenya’s organic sector has continued to thrive in recent years.
Exports of organic products continue to dominate organic sector development, with
Kenya being known for its production of a variety of organic fruits, nuts, essential oils,
herbs, spices, coffee, tea, and flowers, which are all in high demand globally. The
country’s tropical climate, the location near Europe and the Middle East, andcontinuously improving infrastructure make it an ideal place for cultivating andexporting these relatively high-value products. Regarding the domestic market,
established supermarkets and organic retail stores have further solidified their position
and increased their organic supply, while farmers’ markets selling organic products
have expanded beyond the capital city of Nairobi.

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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: SummaryAsia
The total area dedicated to organic agriculture in Asia was more than 6.5 million
hectares in 2021. There were nearly 1.8 million producers, most of whom were in India.
The leading countries by area were China (2.75 million hectares) and India (over 2.66
million hectares). Timor-Leste had the highest proportion of organic agricultural land
(8.5 percent). (For detailed statistics, see page 212). Twenty-one countries in the region
have legislation on organic agriculture, and seven countries are drafting legislation (Seearticle by Hysa et al. on page 148).
The year 2022 continued the positive developments in the organic sector throughout
the Asian region. It was evident that organic activities are resuming after a few years of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
In China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the Implementation Planof the “14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of thePeople’s Republic of China and the Outline of Long-term Goals”. The recognition ofParticipatory Guarantee Systems continued in India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, thePhilippines and Vietnam, addressing the need of the domestic markets. Japan saw thelaunch of the “Organic Village” project by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries (MAFF) to stimulate the growth of the organic share to 25 percent by 2050.
IFOAM Organics Asia implemented the co-organised the 2022 IFOAM-Goesan
International Organic Expo, the event’s highlight being the 50th IFOAM Anniversary
Commemorative Conference (more information is available in the chapter of IFOAM
Organic Asia on page 200).

EuropeAs of the end of 2021, 17.8 million hectares of agricultural land in Europe (European
Union: 15.6 million hectares) were managed organically by more than 440’000
producers (European Union: almost 380’000). In Europe, 3.6 percent of the agriculturalarea was organic (European Union: 9.6 percent). Organic farmland has increased bynearly 0.75 million hectares compared to 2020. The countries with the largest organic
agricultural areas were France (2.8 million hectares), Spain (2.6 million hectares) and
Italy (2.2 million hectares). In 15 countries, at least 10 percent of the farmland wasorganic: Liechtenstein had the lead (40.2 percent), followed by Austria (26.5 percent)and Estonia (23 percent). Retail sales of organic products totalled 54.5 billion euros in2021 (European Union: 46.7 billion euros), an increase of 4 percent since 2020. The
largest market for organic products in 2020 was Germany, with retail sales of 15.9
billion euros, followed by France (12.7 billion euros) and Italy (3.9 billion euros) (Seethe article by Willer et al., page 235). In Europe, 43 countries have legislation on organic
agriculture. (See article by Hysa et al. on page 148).
The consolidated data for 2021 show continued retail sales growth in most countries;
however, other than in 2020, it was single-digit while organic farmland grew faster thanorganic retail sales. For EU organic agriculture to reach the 25 percent goal by 2030, as
set out by the European Commission, stronger annual growth will be needed than in
2021.
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
In June 2018, the new EU regulation 2018/8481 on the production and labelling oforganic products was published but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, postponed by
one year to 1 January 20222. The development of secondary legislation started in June2018 and is ongoing. The new regulations on the European Union’s Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) were adopted in November 2021. A detailed analysis of the
CAP Strategic Plans 2023–2027 and how Member States support organic agriculture
will be published in spring 2023 as part of the project OrganicTargets4EU“Transformation scenarios for boosting organic farming and organic aquaculture
towards the Farm-to-Fork targets”. As to research, since the mid-1990s, an increasing
number of organic research projects focussing on organic food and farming have been
funded by the EU Research & Innovation Framework Programmes. Starting with thework programme 2023–2024, the European Union’s research programme Horizon
Europe, which includes seven organic-specific calls, foresees an allocation of at least 30
percent of the budget for research and innovation actions in the fields of agriculture,
forestry and rural areas to topics specific to or relevant for the organic sector. (See thecontribution by Busacca et al. on page 225).
The report about organic agriculture in Ukraine provided by Vysotskyi et al. (page 265)shows that 422’299 hectares (1 percent of total farmland) were under organic
management. Of these, 370’110 hectares were fully converted. Organic export has amajor share in the Ukrainian organic market. Despite the war, in 2022, Ukraine
exported 225’814 metric tonnes of organic products to the EU and Switzerland, a 13
percent increase compared to 2021 (200’239 metric tons). The most significant negative
impacts of the war on the production processes include the overall safety situation,access to financial resources, destroyed infrastructure and lack of fuel and lubricants.
Many organic operators have experienced direct losses because of occupation anddirect hits, seaports blockade, destruction of infrastructure facilities and supply chains,
and a significant increase in prices of inputs, fuel and logistics. The main problems ofthe domestic organic market are the disrupted supply chains, migration of manyorganic consumers to other regions and abroad, decreased purchasing power and,
therefore, reduced demand for organic.

Latin America and the Caribbean
In Latin America, over 227’000 producers managed nearly 9.9 million hectares ofagricultural land organically in 2021. This constituted 12.9 percent of the world’sorganic land and 1.4 percent of the region’s agricultural land. The leading countries
were Argentina (4.1 million hectares), Uruguay (2.7 million hectares) and Brazil

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic
production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007;
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/848/oj
2 Regulation (EU) 2020/1693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 November 2020 amending
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products as regards its date ofapplication and certain other dates referred to in that Regulation (Text with EEA relevance);
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/1693/oj
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary(1.5 million hectares). The highest organic shares of total agricultural land were in
Uruguay (19.6 percent), French Guiana (11.9 percent) and the Dominican Republic(11.6 percent). Many Latin American countries remain important exporters of organic
products such as coffee, cocoa and bananas. Nineteen countries in the region havelegislation on organic agriculture, and two countries are drafting such legislation. (Seearticle by Hysa et al. on page 148). Brazil has the largest market for organic products in
Latin America.
Organic production in Latin America grew slowly despite the challenges faced in 2022,
recovering from the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, foodinflation and getting back on track with economic growth and poverty reduction. Local
markets for certified organic products are still very small, despite the steady increase in
the urban population; poverty, however, increased during the pandemic. Several Latin
American countries have national logos to identify organic products in their national
marketplaces, but very often, operators just use the EU or US logos; Brazil and Mexico
are the countries where it is easier to find the national logo in the retail sector. While
Argentina approved the Organic Argentina 2030 Strategic Plan, in Colombia, a study
on the impacts of organic regulations was commissioned; this study is connected totheir 2030 Agroecology Plan. Peru approved its 2030 Plan for the Promotion of Organicor Ecological Production. The interest in agroecology continues to grow in the region.
The 9th Latin American Congress in Agroecology, organised by the Latin American
Scientific Society of Agroecology (SOCLA in Spanish), was celebrated in Costa Rica in
2022 with over 500 participants from Latin America and Spain ( page 278).

North America
In North America, over 3.5 million hectares of farmland were managed organically in
2021. Of these, 2.3 million were in the United States, and 1.2 million were in Canada,
representing 0.8 percent of the total agricultural area in the region (see page 302).
United States
In 2021, U.S. shoppers returned to more stable shopping patterns. Food sales, which
comprise over 90 percent of U.S. organic sales, rose to 57.5 billion US dollars (roughly
2 percent growth). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in June 2022
took steps to build the next generation of American organic producers and strengthenorganic supply chains with its announcement that it would invest 300 million US
dollars1 over five years to support farm operations during the transition to organic in
its new Organic Transition Initiative. The announcement represents the USDA’s largest
single investment in organic products. Consumer demand for organic products
remained strong, and growth continued, but it was constrained primarily due to supply
challenges (seed and raw material shortages, packaging material issues, or high costsin feed, inputs, shipping, and transportation). Global demand for American-produced
organic products has never been greater: The Department of Agriculture’s statistics

1

1.1827 US dollars corresponded to 1 euro in 2021, according to the Central European Bank.
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
show that the value of U.S. organic exports nearly doubled between 2011 and 2021 –increasing from around 400 million US dollars to just over 700 million US dollars. (Seethe contribution by Jagiello on page 292).
CanadaThe organic marketplace in Canada continues to expand. Canada is the fifth-largest
organic market in the world. While in the past, production numbers did not keep up
with the demand in Canada, 2021 did experience less growth in producers and acreage
than in prior years. Although there was a decrease in acreage in Canada between 2020
and 2021 due to climatic conditions, decertifications and supply chain challenges due
to COVID-19, there are more producers that will be entering the system in two to three
years. Canada is currently home to more than 1.2 million hectares of organic farmland(See the contribution by Loftsgard on page 299).
OceaniaThis region includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands states. Altogether,
there were over 18’000 producers on 36 million hectares, constituting 9.7 percent of theregion’s agricultural land and nearly half the world’s organic land. More than 99
percent of the organic land in the region is in Australia (35.7 million hectares, mostly
extensive grazing land), followed by Papua New Guinea (over 88’000 hectares) andSamoa over 82’000 hectares). The highest organic shares of all national agricultural land
were in Samoa (29.1 percent), followed by Australia (9.9 percent), Papua New Guinea(7.4 percent), Fiji (7.1 percent), French Solomon Islands (7 percent) and French
Polynesia (3.5 percent). Four countries in Oceania have legislation on organic
agriculture, while thirteen countries have a national standard but no organic legislation(See article by Hysa et al. on page 148). For statistics about organic agriculture in
Oceania, see page 326.
Australia
Australia’s organic industry has been challenged by manifold factors in recent years,
including disruptions caused by the global pandemic, natural disasters (bushfires in
2020, floods in 2022), as well as global inflation and its flow-on effects. Despite this, theindustry remains robust, with new certified operators regularly entering the market
and positive consumer sentiment noted, reports Frampton on page 312. Australia is oneof the few developed nations in the world not to have implemented a domestic
regulatory standard for the production and sale of organic products. However, theintroduction of domestic regulation appears to be moving closer. (See article by
Frampton on page 312).
New ZealandOrganic agriculture is a fast-growing sector in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is well placed
to continue leveraging the country’s clean, green reputation, and it is an increasingly
important pillar in telling Aotearoa’s story to international consumers. Through the
COVID pandemic, New Zealand’s food and beverage image has provided a global
opportunity for the country as COVID has shifted consumer behaviour and perceptions
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The World of Organic Agriculture 2023: Summary
in New Zealand’s major markets, amplifying consumer interest in food safety andquality. Another notable development is that the National Māori Organics Authority of
Aotearoa makes a strong contribution to Māori organics through its presence andthrough continuing support for Māori organic growers. (See article by Tompkins on
page 316).
Pacific Islands
COVID-19, including supply chain disruptions, restrictions on mobility, and borderclosures, continued to substantially impact organic farmers, supply chains, andcertification across the Pacific Islands. Audit and inspections have been severely
impacted as few countries have nationally based inspectors; they fly in fromneighbouring regions of Australia, New Zealand or South East Asia, and even the
United States. Some licensees have been able to undertake virtual audits, which has
meant that no new farms or licensees have been able to take up certification. However,
governments continue to take action to create a supportive policy environment, thedemand for certification continues, and regional and national agencies anddevelopment partners are increasingly recognising the value of organic agriculture asa development tool for the Pacific Islands context. A survey to assess the impact of
COVID-19 on production and livelihoods found that farmers had difficulty accessing
markets. Village-level income sources were lost due to increasing unemployment
among community members, especially in Fiji. Inter-island supply chain logistics havebeen significantly affected during lockdown periods, and some farmers were unable toaccess inputs. Domestic sales dropped dramatically due to the lack of tourists, while
regional and international sales have diminished due to border closures. As most of theorganically certified products from the Pacific are for export, the pandemic has forced
producers to seek to expand local market opportunities, giving impetus to the trend of
previous years of growing local markets through basket (box) schemes, unverified
organic claims on labels, PGS development, organic stalls at farmers markets andincreased awareness. (See article by Mapusa on page 322148).

Next FiBL Survey on Organic Agriculture Worldwide
The next global organic survey will start in mid-2023; data will be published in
February 2024 and presented at the 2024 edition of the Biofach Organic Trade Fair in
Nuremberg, Germany. We will contact all relevant experts and would be very grateful
if data could be sent to us. Should you notice any errors regarding the statistical data inthis volume, please let us know; we will then correct the information in our databaseand provide the corrected data in the 2024 edition of “The World of Organic
Agriculture”. Corrections will also be posted on www.organic-world.net.
Contact: helga.willer@fibl.org

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Source: FiBL survey 2023

Infographic 1: Organic agriculture worldwide - key indicators 2021
30

Organic Agriculture
Worldwide:
Current Statistics

Map 1: Organic agricultural land in 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023

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Statistics › Introduction

Current Statistics on Organic Agriculture Worldwide:
Area, Operators, Retail Sales and International Trade
BERNHARD SCHLATTER1, JAN TRÁVNÍČEK2 AND HELGA WILLER3
Introduction
The 24th survey of certified organic agriculture worldwide was carried out by the
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL in collaboration with many partners
from around the world. The results are published jointly with IFOAM – Organics
International. The survey was supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic
Affairs (SECO), the Sustainability Fund of Coop Switzerland, and NürnbergMesse.4
For this survey, 191 countries were covered using the following indicators: Area,
producers and other operator types, retail sales and exports and imports.
In total, data were provided by more than 200 experts. Governments, private sector
organizations, certifiers and market research companies have contributed to the datacollection effort. Several international certifiers deserve special mention as they
provided data on several countries: ACO Certification, Bioinspecta, CCPB, CERES,
Certisys, Control Union, Ecocert, Mayacert, Ecoglobe, Ekoagros, ICEA, Imocert, Kiwa
BCS Oko-Garantie GmbH, LACON, LETIS, NASAA Certified Organic (NCO), Organic
Agriculture Certification Thailand (ACT), Organización Internacional Agropecuaria(OIA), OneCert and Quality Certification Services (QCS).
Our collaboration with the Inter-American Commission for Organic Agriculture(CIAO) eases data collection in Latin America and the Caribbean substantially. Data
from the Mediterranean countries were supplied by the Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture Network (MOAN, c/o Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari). Data
from the Pacific Islands were provided by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade
Community (POET.com). Another important source covering many countries is
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. A list of all data sources andcontacts is provided in the annex. For more details about the data providers, thecountries and indicators covered as well as general notes on the data, see page 357.
More information on statistics.fibl.org
Interactive tables and graphs with more details on crops, markets, and international trade,
as well as explanations for data, can be found on FiBL’s statistics website statistics.fibl.org.

Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
3 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
4 The organisers of BIOFACH, the World Organic Trade Fair in Nuremberg, Germany (today:
NürnbergMesse), have supported data collection on organic agriculture worldwide and the production of the
yearbook “The World of Organic Agriculture” since 2000.
1
2

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Source: FiBL survey 2023

Infographic 2: Organic farmland 2021

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land33

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land

Organic land
Organic agricultural land
In 2021, 76.4 million hectares were under organic agricultural management worldwide.1
This constituted 1.6 percent of the total farmland. Organic farmland increased by 1.7
percent in 2021.
− The region with the most organic agricultural land was Oceania, with 36.0 million
hectares, followed by Europe with 17.8 million hectares, Latin America (9.9 million
hectares), Asia (6.5 million hectares), Northern America (3.5 million hectares) and
Africa (2.7 million hectares).
− Oceania has almost half (47 percent) of the global organic agricultural land.
Europe, a region that has had a very constant growth of organic land over theyears, had over 23 percent of the world’s organic agricultural land, followed by
Latin America with almost 13 percent (Figure 1, page 35).
− Australia is the country with the most organic agricultural land; it is estimated that
97 percent of the farmland is extensive grazing areas. Argentina is second,
followed by France in third place, the first time a European country holds thisposition (Figure 2, page 35). The ten countries with the largest organic agriculturalareas have a combined total of 59.6 million hectares and constitute almost 80
percent of the world’s organic agricultural land.
− Apart from the organic agricultural land, there are further organic areas such as
wild collection areas. These areas constituted approximately 30 million hectares.
Table 1: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) and regions’shares of the global organic agricultural land 2021
RegionOrganic agricultural land
[hectares]

Regions’ shares of the globalorganic agricultural land [%]Africa2’663’983

3.5%

Asia

6’504’211

8.5%

Europe17’844’853

23.4%

Latin America

9’870’887

12.9%

Northern America

3’542’140

4.6%

Oceania

35’985’809

47.1%

World*

76’403’777

100%

Source: FiBL survey 2023. Note: Agricultural land includes in-conversion areas and excludes wild collection, aquaculture,
forest, and non-agricultural grazing areas.
*Total includes correction value for French overseas departments.

1 Data provided both for the fully converted and in conversion area are included in this work. However,some countries provided only data on the fully converted area, others only on the total organic agriculturalland, and thus the conversion area is not known for many countries.

34

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land

Figure 1: World: Distribution of organic agricultural land by region 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 2: World: The ten countries with the largest areas of organic agricultural land
2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

35

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land
Table 2: World: Organic agriculturalland (including in-conversion areas) bycountry/territory 2021 (sorted)
For an alphabetical country list, see page Table 6.
Country/Territory

Hectares

Australia
Argentina
FranceChina
Uruguay
India
Spain
United States of America
Italy
Germany
BrazilCanadaAustria
Russian Federation
SwedenRomania
Czech Republic
GreecePolandUgandaUnited Kingdom
UkrainePeru
Ethiopia
Finland
TürkiyePortugal
Denmark
Hungary
LatviaTanzania
Tunisia
Lithuania
MexicoEstonia
Slovakia
Philippines
Sierra Leone
Switzerland
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)Thailand
Chile
Togo
Kenya
Croatia
Dominican Republic
Egypt
Kazakhstan
Paraguay
Belgium
Colombia

35’687’799
4’074’804
2’776’554
2’753’700
2’741’845
2’657’889
2’635’442
2’326’551
2’186’159
1’802’231
1’482’406
1’215’589
679’119655’457
606’669578’718558’124534’629509’286505’308489’200422’299374’926332’519327’736327’583308’289299’998
293’597291’150286’627279’389261’782
238’075
226’605
222’896
216’334
193’954
181’444
179’425
167’985
152’773
130’858
128’018
121’924
117’312116’000
113’247
113’147
101’828
100’87436

Country/Territory

Hectares

South Africa
Madagascar
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Papua New Guinea
Ireland
Bulgaria
Indonesia
Samoa
New Zealand
Burkina Faso
Côte d'Ivoire
Netherlands
Viet Nam
GuatemalaPakistan
Sri Lanka
Honduras
Nigeria
EcuadorSlovenia
Benin
NorwayMozambique
Republic of Korea
Ghana
Azerbaijan
Nicaragua
Timor-Leste
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Kyrgyzstan
Fiji
Moldova
Saudi Arabia
SerbiaTajikistan
Cambodia
MaliJapan
TaiwanMoroccoCosta Rica
Myanmar
Sao Tome and Principe
Solomon Islands
Lao People's Democratic Republic
North Macedonia
CyprusIran
Luxembourg
Belarus
Iceland
VanuatuPanamaIsraelBhutanPalestine
United Arab Emirates

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

97’35995’08389’48688’01486’86886’31083’36282’29979’34779’28578’783
76’37574’54071’65469’85066’623
66’17958’02852’18552’07848’89845’11241’04840’66338’26038’08037’35732’31131’93730’25930’19428’36827’11023’52722’292
21’112
17’840
11’992
11’765
11’452
10’300
10’143
9’291
8’231
7’993
7’794
7’738
7’053
6’893
6’725
6’440
6’281
5’929
5’778
5’608
5’517
5’419

Statistics › Organic Agricultural LandCountry/Territory

Uzbekistan
RwandaMontenegro
Georgia
French Guiana (France)
Eswatini
ZambiaSenegal
Dominica
LiberiaHaiti
El Salvador
Venezuela
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nepal
Cuba
Réunion (France)
KosovoLebanonCameroon
French Polynesia
Jordan
Liechtenstein
Guadeloupe (France)
Malaysia
Tonga
Albania
Zimbabwe
Sudan
Comoros
New Caledonia
Algeria
Martinique (France)
BelizeArmenia
BurundiBangladesh
Namibia
Malawi
Faroe Islands
Mongolia
GrenadaChannel Islands
Niue
MayotteAfghanistan
Malta
Iraq
Suriname
BahamasKuwaitBritish Virgin Islands
Saint Lucia
Cook Islands
Singapore
Mauritius
Jamaica

Hectares

4’925
4’696
4’404
4’278
3’886
3’539
3’376
3’262
2’907
2’791
2’739
2’565
2’496
2’495
2’448
2’129
2’100
1’990
1’671
1’594
1’592
1’446
1’423
1’300
1’276
1’119
1’094
1’085
960
937
800
772
706
676
583
549
504
384
324
251
241
195
180
117
114
98
66
63
52
49
32
26
25
15
15
13
11

Country/Territory

Hectares

Oman
Andorra7
2

World*

76’403’777

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information fromthe private sector, certifiers, and governments. For
detailed data sources see annex, page 338*Total includes correction value for French overseas
departments

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

37

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land
Organic share of total agricultural land
The share of the world’s agricultural land that is organic was 1.6 percent in 2021.
− The highest organic share of total agricultural land, by region, was in Oceania (9.7
percent), followed by Europe with 3.6 percent and Latin America with 1.4 percent.
In the European Union, the organic share of the total agricultural land was 9.6
percent. In the other regions, the share is less than one percent (Table 3).
− Many individual countries, however, have a much higher organic share (Table 4,
page 39), and in 20 countries, 10 percent or more of the agricultural land is used
for organic production. Most of these countries are in Europe. The country withthe highest organic share was Liechtenstein, with 40.2 percent of its agriculturalland under organic management. It is interesting to note that many island states
have high shares of agricultural land under organic management, such as Samoa
and São Tomé and Príncipe.
− However, 47 percent of the countries for which data is available had less than one
percent of their agricultural land under organic management.

Figure 3: World: Countries with an organic share of the total agricultural land of atleast 10 percent 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. Calculation oforganic shares based on FAOSTAT, Eurostat, and national sources. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.
To calculate the percentages, the data on the total agricultural land for most countries was taken from FAO’s
Statistical database on the FAOSTAT website. For the European Union, most data were obtained from
Eurostat. Where available, data from national sources were used for the total agricultural land (for instance,
Austria, Switzerland, and the United States), which sometimes differs from that published by Eurostat or
FAOSTAT. Please note that the calculation of the organic shares based on Eurostat and FAOSTAT data may
differ in some cases from the data published by ministries and experts. FAOSTAT, the FAO Homepage,
FAO, Rome at faostat3.fao.org > Agri-Environmental Indicators > Download
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RL

38

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Organic Share
Table 3: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) and organic
share of total agricultural land by region 2021
RegionOrganic agricultural land [ha]Share of total agricultural land [%]Africa2’663’983

0.2%

Asia

6’504’211

0.4%

Europe17’844’853

3.6%

Latin America

9’870’887

1.4%

Northern America

3’542’140

0.8%

Oceania

35’985’809

9.7%World*

76’403’777

1.6%

Source: FiBL survey 2023.
* Total includes correction value for French overseas departments.

Table 4: World: Organic shares of
total agricultural land by country 2021
(sorted)For an alphabetical country list, see page Table 6.

Country/Territory
Liechtenstein
Samoa
Austria
Estonia
Sao Tome and Principe
SwedenUruguay
Switzerland
Italy
Czech Republic
LatviaFinlandFrench Guiana (France)
Slovakia
Dominica
Denmark
Germany
Spain
Slovenia
GreeceAustralia
FranceLithuania
Timor-Leste
Faroe Islands
Croatia
Portugal
Belgium
Papua New Guinea
Fiji

Organic
share [%]
40.2%
29.1%
26.5%
23.0%
21.1%
20.2%
19.6%
17.4%
16.7%
15.8%
14.8%
14.4%
11.9%
11.7%
11.6%
11.4%
10.8%
10.8%
10.8%
10.1%
9.9%
9.6%
8.9%
8.5%
8.4%
8.1%
7.8%
7.4%
7.4%
7.1%

Country/Territory
Solomon Islands
Hungary
CyprusLuxembourg
Sierra Leone
Dominican Republic
NorwayRéunion (France)
Romania
Netherlands
UgandaPolandFrench Polynesia
Togo
VanuatuTonga
Egypt
Tunisia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
United Kingdom
Argentina
Guadeloupe (France)
Republic of Korea
GrenadaSri Lanka
Niue
Martinique (France)
Singapore
CanadaHonduras
Channel Islands
Ireland
GuatemalaPhilippines
Montenegro
Bulgaria
Peru
TaiwanFiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Organic
share [%]
7.0%
5.9%
5.7%
5.2%
4.9%
4.8%
4.6%
4.4%
4.3%
4.2%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.4%
3.4%
3.2%
3.0%
2.9%
2.8%
2.8%
2.7%
2.5%
2.5%
2.4%
2.4%
2.3%
2.3%
2.2%
2.1%
2.0%
2.0%
1.9%
1.9%
1.7%
1.7%
1.7%
1.6%
1.5%

39

Statistics › Organic Agricultural LandCountry/Territory
India
United Arab Emirates
Moldova
Benin
Palestine
BhutanCook Islands
UkraineChile
EcuadorIsraelEthiopia
TürkiyeAzerbaijan
Thailand
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Tanzania
Comoros
SerbiaBurkina Faso
BrazilNorth Macedonia
Malta
Viet Nam
Costa Rica
United States of America
MayotteChina
Paraguay
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
KosovoTajikistan
Kenya
New Caledonia
Iceland
BelizeCambodia
British Virgin IslandsCôte d'Ivoire
BahamasLao People's Democratic Republic
Russian Federation
Eswatini
Kyrgyzstan
Democratic Republic of the CongoJapan
PanamaRwandaGhana
LebanonSaint Lucia
Madagascar
MexicoColombia
Pakistan

40

Organic
share [%]
1.5%
1.4%
1.3%
1.2%
1.2%
1.1%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
0.8%
0.8%
0.8%
0.7%
0.7%
0.7%
0.7%
0.7%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.19%

Country/Territory

Organic
share [%]

Georgia
El Salvador
Haiti
Liberia
JordanBosnia and Herzegovina
Indonesia
South Africa
MozambiqueAlbania
Nigeria
Belarus
MyanmarSuriname
Nepal
Kazakhstan
Mali
MoroccoSenegalArmenia
Cuba
BurundiKuwaitUzbekistan
Cameroon
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Malaysia
Mauritius
ZambiaVenezuela
AndorraZimbabwe
Malawi
Bangladesh
Jamaica
Algeria
Sudan
Namibia
Iraq
Oman
Afghanistan
Mongolia
World

0.18%
0.17%
0.15%
0.14%
0.14%
0.14%
0.13%
0.10%
0.10%
0.09%
0.08%
0.08%
0.08%
0.06%
0.06%
0.05%
0.043%
0.038%
0.037%
0.035%
0.034%
0.027%
0.021%
0.019%
0.016%
0.016%
0.015%
0.015%
0.015%
0.014%
0.012%
0.011%
0.007%
0.006%
0.005%
0.002%
0.002%
0.001%
0.001%
0.001%
0.0005%0.0003%0.0002%
1.6%

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information fromthe private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Calculation of organic shares based on FAOSTAT,
Eurostat, and national sources. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development
Growth of the organic agricultural landCompared with 2001, when 15 million hectares were organic, organic agricultural land
has increased five-fold (2021).
− In 2021, 1.3 million hectares, or 1.7 percent, more were reported compared with2020.
− In 2021, the organic agricultural land increased in four continents (Table 5). The
highest absolute growth was in Europe (+0.75 million hectares, +4.4 percent),
followed by Africa, which showed the strongest relative growth (+17.3 percent,+0.39 million hectares) and Asia (+5.8 percent, +0.36 million hectares). The organic
farmland decreased in Latin and North America.
− Some countries reported a significant increase, for instance, China (13.1 percent
increase; almost 0.32 million hectares more), France (8.9 percent increase; almost
0.23 million hectares more), and Spain (8.1 percent increase; almost 0.2 million
hectares more) (Figure 6).
− Eighty-six countries experienced an increase in the area of their organic
agricultural land, while a decrease was reported in 37 countries. In 42 countries,
the organic agricultural area either did not change, or no new data was received.
The figures shown in the following tables and graphs with historical figures may differ
from what was previously communicated, as data revisions were received andincluded in the FiBL database.
Table 5: World: Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) by region:
growth 2020 to 2021, and 10 years growth
RegionOrganic agri.
land 2020[ha]

Organic agri.
land 2021[ha]

1 year
growth[ha]

1 year
growth [%]10 years
growth[ha]

10 years
growth [%]Africa2’271’080

2’663’983

392’903

17.3%

1’594’287

149.0%

Asia

6’148’098

6’504’211

356’113

5.8%

2’818’062

76.5%

Europe17’096’929

17’844’853

747’924

4.4%

7’296’330

69.2%

Latin America

9’938’337

9’870’887-67’450-0.7%

2’904’739

41.7%

Northern
America

3’744’163

3’542’140-202’023-5.4%

522’453

17.3%

Oceania

35’908’876

35’985’809

76’932

0.2%

24’602’115

216.1%

World*

75’099’762

76’403’777

1’304’015

1.7%

39’734’874

108.4%

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector, and certifiers. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338* Total includes correction value for French Overseas Departments.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

41

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development

Figure 4: World: Growth of the organic agricultural land and organic share 2000-2021
Source: FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL surveys 2001-2023

Figure 5: World: Growth of the organic agricultural land by continent 2000 to 2021
Source: FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL surveys 2001-2023

42

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development

Figure 6: World: The ten countries with the highest increase of organic agriculturalland 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector, and certifiers. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Table 6: World: Development of organic agricultural land by country 2020-2021
Important note: A direct year-to-year and ten years comparison is not always possible for many countries
because the data sources may have changed over the years, or data access may have improved. The figures
published here may differ from previously published data due to data revisions. Data are not available
for all countries for every year, and in these cases, the figure for the previous year was used (see also page338). On statistics.fibl.org, data back to 2000 is available.
Country/Territory

Organic
agri. land2020 [ha]Organic
agri. land
2021 [ha]1 year
growth[ha]

1 year
growth[%]10 years
growth[ha]

10 years
growth[%]Afghanistan

98

98

0.0

0.0

36.4

59.4

Albania

887

1’094

207.2

23.4

533.9

95.3

Algeria

772

772

0.0

0.0

72.5

10.4

Andorra

2

2

0.1

5.5

2.1
-2’486.0-100.0Argentina

4’453’639

4’074’804-378’834.7-8.5

437’338.3

12.0

Armenia

566

583

17.6

3.1

-226.7-28.0

Australia

35’687’799

35’687’799

0.0

0.0

24’488’222.0

218.7

Austria679’872679’119-753.0-0.1

117’508.0

20.9

Azerbaijan

38’08038’0800.0

0.0

14’340.1

60.4

Angola0.0

Bahamas

49

49

0.0

0.0

48.6

Bangladesh

504

504

0.0

0.0

-45.9

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

-8.3

43

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development
Country/Territory

Organic
agri. land2020 [ha]Organic
agri. land
2021 [ha]1 year
growth[ha]

1 year
growth[%]10 years
growth[ha]

10 years
growth[%]Belarus

6’838

6’725

-112.8-1.6

6’724.9

Belgium

99’075101’828

2’753.0

2.8

42’110.4

70.5

Belize

454

676

222.1

48.9

-76.4

-10.1

Benin

34’52648’898

14’371.4

41.6

46’269.2

1’760.4

Bhutan

4’095

5’608

1’513.4

37.0-547.5-8.9

Bolivia

179’425

179’425

0.0

0.0

33’530.5

23.0

1’692

2’495

803.3

47.5

2’152.5627.8

1’319’454

1’482’406

162’952.3

12.3

777’173.0

110.2

26

26

0.0

0.0

26.1

Bulgaria

116’253

86’310-29’942.7-25.8

47’173.5

120.5

Burkina Faso

66’17579’285

13’109.8

19.8

64’284.9

428.6

Bosnia andHerzegovina
BrazilBritish Virgin Islands

Burundi

319

549

229.5

72.0

-1.5

-0.3

Cambodia

35’87921’112-14’766.9-41.2

12’057.7

133.2

Cameroon

345

1’594

1’249.5

362.7

931.5

140.6

1’417’612

1’215’589-202’022.5-14.3

381’706.1

45.8

-2.7

-100.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

-80.0

-30.8

CanadaCape Verde
Channel Islands

3
180

180

Chile

156’819

152’773-4’045.6-2.6

130’136.8

574.9

China

2’435’000

2’753’700

318’700.0

13.1

853’700.0

44.9

Colombia

39’413100’874

61’461.0

155.9

66’814.3

196.2

Comoros

1’004

937

-67.7

-6.7

-1’705.1-64.5

118’254

89’486-28’767.7-24.3

37’648.3

72.6

Cong, Dem. Rep.
Cook Islands

15

15

0.0

0.0

-4.5

-22.6

Costa Rica

11’46510’300-1’164.9

-10.2

939.6

10.0

Côte d'Ivoire

79’12578’783-341.7-0.4

59’326.2

304.9

Croatia108’610

121’924

13’314.0

12.3

90’020.5

282.2

Cuba

2’129

2’129

0.0

0.0

-3’151.8-59.7

Cyprus

5’918

7’738

1’820.0

30.8

3’815.0

97.2

Czech Republic539’532558’124

18’591.7

3.4

89’454.1

19.1

Denmark

299’998299’998

0.0

0.0

124’885.0

71.3

2’907

2’907.3

2’667.5

1’112.5

Dominica
Dominican Republic

117’312117’3120.0

0.0-51’666.2-30.6

Ecuador

41’53752’18510’647.9

25.6-4’118.5

-7.3

Egypt

116’000

116’000

0.0

0.0

30’199.0

35.2

2’565

2’565

0.0

0.0

-4’171.5-61.9

Estonia

220’796

226’605

5’809.0

2.6

82’455.5

57.2

Eswatini

1’156

3’539

2’382.6

206.0

3’531.3

45’272.6

Ethiopia234’648332’519

97’871.0

41.7

167’742.6

101.8

Falkland Islands(Malvinas)

31’93731’9370.0

0.0-371’275.0-92.1

Faroe Islands

251

251

0.0

0.0

-1.9

-0.8

19’30330’194

10’890.8

56.4

28’030.2

1’295.3

El Salvador

Fiji

44

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development
Country/Territory

Organic
agri. land2020 [ha]Organic
agri. land
2021 [ha]1 year
growth[ha]

1 year
growth[%]10 years
growth[ha]

10 years
growth[%]Finland315’112327’736

12’624.0

4.0

129’985.0

65.7France2’548’677

2’776’554

227’876.9

8.9

1’743’612.9

168.8

French Guiana

3’690

3’886

196.0

5.3

1’479.0

61.4

French Polynesia

1’562

1’592

30.7

2.0

-876.5-35.5

Georgia

1’452

4’278

2’825.9

194.6

2’278.4

114.0

Germany

1’702’240

1’802’231

99’991.0

5.9

767’876.0

74.2

Ghana

72’847

38’260-34’586.2-47.5

10’099.5

35.9

Greece534’629534’6290.0

0.0

72’011.0

15.6

Grenada

84

195

111.4

132.6

110.0

128.7

Guadeloupe (France)
Guatemala

858

1’300

442.0

51.5

1’136.0

692.7

87’02871’654-15’374.0-17.7

58’273.6

435.5-4’249.0-100.0

Guyana

0.0

Haiti

2’907

2’739

-168.6-5.8

1’932.8

239.9

Honduras

66’17966’1790.0

0.0

41’229.2

165.2

Hungary301’430

293’597-7’833.0-2.6

162’988.0

124.8

Iceland

4’709

6’440

1’730.6

36.7-1’800.1-21.8

2’657’889

2’657’889

0.0

0.0

2’157’889.3

431.6

Indonesia

75’793

83’362

7’569.1

10.0-4’885.6

-5.5

Iran

11’916

7’053-4’863.0-40.8-35’580.6

-83.5

Iraq

63

63

0.0

0.0

62.5

Ireland

74’666

86’868

12’202.0

16.3

34’075.0

64.5Israel

6’287

5’778

-508.5-8.1-409.2

-6.6

Italy

2’095’364

2’186’159

90’795.2

4.3

1’018’797.2

87.3

10

11

0.9

9.5

-531.1

-98.0

Japan

11’992

11’9920.0

0.0

1’381.0

13.0

Jordan

1’446

1’446

0.0

0.0

-1’449.1

-50.1

India

JamaicaKazakhstan

114’886

113’247-1’638.8-1.4-177’955.8

-61.1

Kenya

123’744

128’018

4’273.9

3.5

123’124.0

2’515.9

Kosovo

1’604

1’990

386.0

24.1

1’879.0

1’692.8

Kuwait

33

32

-0.7

-2.1

32.1

30’25930’2590.0

0.0

27’562.6

1’022.4

Kyrgyzstan
Lao

3’266

7’993

4’726.9

144.7

2’003.6

33.5

Latvia291’150

291’150

0.0

0.0

95’492.0

48.8

Lebanon

1’715

1’671

-43.4

-2.5

-1’632.1

-49.4

0.0

-616.8-100.0

2’791

2’791.0

2’791.0

1’490

1’423

-67.4

-4.5

337.1

LesothoLiberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania

31.0

235’471261’782

26’311.0

11.2

105’242.8

67.2

Luxembourg

6’118

6’893

775.2

12.7

2’763.0

66.9

Madagascar

103’81795’083-8’734.0-8.4

64’818.3

214.2

Malawi

232

324

92.2

39.7

288.8

815.8

Malaysia

1’276

1’276

0.0

0.0

673.2

111.6

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

45

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development
Country/Territory

Organic
agri. land2020 [ha]Organic
agri. land
2021 [ha]1 year
growth[ha]

1 year
growth[%]10 years
growth[ha]

10 years
growth[%]Mali

14’67517’8403’165.0

21.6

2’913.6

19.5

Malta

67

66

-1.4

-2.1

28.6

77.2

Martinique (France)

683

706

23.0

3.4

506.0

253.0

5

13

7.6

154.6

-3.4

-21.3

Mauritius
Mayotte

87

114

26.9

30.9

114.0

Mexico215’634

238’075

22’440.8

10.4-249’318.4-51.2

Moldova

27’62428’368744.4

2.7

6’266.0

28.4

Mongolia

241

241

0.0

0.0

241.4

Montenegro

4’823

4’404

-418.8-8.7

1’335.9

Morocco11’452

11’4520.0

0.0-5’147.6-31.0

Mozambique

14’43841’04826’610.2

184.3

37’208.3

969.0

Myanmar10’143

10’1430.0

0.0

9’245.7

1’030.8

384

383.7

-13’739.0-97.3

Namibia

43.5

Nepal

9’361

2’448

-6’912.9-73.9-7’825.5-76.2

Netherlands

71’607

76’375

4’768.0

6.7

28’337.0

59.0

New Caledonia

800

800

0.0

0.0

800.0

New Zealand

79’347

79’3470.0

0.0-27’406.0-25.7

Nicaragua

39’07637’357-1’718.8-4.4

3’735.9

11.1-106.0-100.048’507.2

509.5

Niger

0.0

Nigeria

54’995Niue

58’0283’032.8

5.5

43

117

73.8

170.9

55.7

90.9

North Macedonia

3’727

7’794

4’067.0

109.1-4’937.2-38.8

Norway45’18145’112

-69.0

-0.2

-10’148.0

-18.4

4

7

2.2

50.0

-31.7

-82.8

Pakistan

69’85069’8500.0

0.0

47’453.1

211.9

Palestine

5’218

5’517

299.0

5.7

-837.0

-13.2

Oman

Panama

5’929

5’929

0.0

0.0

1’353.0

29.6

Papua New Guinea

72’47788’01415’536.2

21.4

76’215.6

646.0

Paraguay

73’428113’147

39’718.9

54.1

61’956.9

121.0

Peru

342’701374’926

32’225.5

9.4

177’088.9

89.5

Philippines

191’770

216’334

24’564.5

12.8

135’360.4

167.2

Poland509’286509’2860.0

0.0-152’670.0-23.1

Portugal319’540308’289-11’251.1-3.5

108’137.9

54.0

Republic of Korea

38’54040’6632’123.0

5.5

15’196.0

59.7

Réunion (France)

1’901

2’100

199.0

10.5

1’506.0

253.5

Romania468’887578’718

109’831.0

23.4

290’457.0

100.8

Russian Federation

615’188655’457

40’269.3

6.5

509’206.7

348.2

5’188

4’696

-491.2

-9.5

991.9

26.8

25

25.0

RwandaSaint Lucia

25.0

Samoa

40’99282’29941’307.3

100.8

48’784.3

145.6

Sao Tome & Principe

9’103

9’291

187.5

2.1

5’240.3

129.4

Saudi Arabia

26’632

27’110478.0

1.8

13’541.3

99.8

46

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Organic Agricultural Land › Development
Country/Territory

Organic
agri. land2020 [ha]Organic
agri. land
2021 [ha]1 year
growth[ha]

1 year
growth[%]10 years
growth[ha]

10 years
growth[%]Senegal

3’809

3’262

-547.4-14.4-3’474.4-51.6

Serbia19’317

23’5274’210.4

21.8

17’187.3

271.1

Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore0
190’1300.0

0.0

193’954

3’824.0

2.0

193’954.2

15

15

0.0

0.0

14.6

Slovakia

222’896

222’8960.0

0.0

56’196.0

33.7

Slovenia

52’07852’0780.0

0.0

16’977.0

48.4

Solomon Islands

3’367

8’231

4’864.1

144.5

6’923.7

529.7

South Africa

40’954

97’35956’405.2

137.7

54’188.9

125.5

2’437’891

2’635’442

197’551.0

8.1

1’042’245.0

65.4

73’39366’623-6’769.8-9.2

47’105.8

241.4

960

960.0

-53’885.0

-98.2

52

52

0.0

0.0

51.8

Sweden610’543606’669-3’874.0-0.6

128’984.0

27.0

Switzerland

177’347

181’444

4’097.6

2.3

59’656.2

49.0-19’987.0-100.0

Taiwan10’78911’765976.0

9.0

5’915.6

101.1

Tajikistan

11’81822’292

10’474.0

88.6

9’520.5

74.5

Tanzania

198’226

286’627

88’401.7

44.6

100’090.3

53.7

Thailand160’802

167’985

7’183.2

4.5

135’408.4

415.7

Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname

Syrian Arab Republic

0.0

Timor-Leste

32’31132’3110.0

0.0

7’621.3

30.9

Togo

127’782

130’858

3’076.3

2.4

126’968.9

3’264.5

Tonga

1’119

1’119

0.0

0.0

720.8

181.1

Tunisia297’137

279’389-17’747.9-6.0

142’201.1

103.7

Türkiye382’639327’583-55’055.8-14.4-196’043.8-37.4

Uganda346’496505’308

158’812.0

45.8

274’151.0

118.6

Ukraine462’225422’299-39’926.0-8.6

149’449.0

54.8

5’419

5’419

0.0

0.0

1’514.0

38.8

United Kingdom473’500489’200

15’700.0

3.3-100’809.0-17.1

United States ofAmerica

2’326’551

2’326’551

0.0

0.0

148’079.6

6.8

Uruguay

2’742’368

2’741’845-522.50.0

1’810’880.1

194.5

Uzbekistan

3’781

4’925

1’144.2

30.3

4’712.2

2’212.3

Vanuatu

2’052

6’281

4’229.6

206.2

2’175.0

53.0

United Arab Emirates

Venezuela

1’490

2’496

1’005.5

67.5

2’437.0

4’165.8

Viet Nam

65’52074’5409’020.0

13.8

38’254.5

105.4

Zambia691

3’376

2’685.0

388.5-225.7-6.3

Zimbabwe

1’043

1’085

41.6

4.0

458.6

73.2

75’099’762

76’403’777

1’304’015

1.7

39’570’802

107.4

Total

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see previous editions of “The World of Organic Agriculture” and annex, page 338*Total includes correction value for French overseas departments.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

47

Statistics › All Organic Areas
Further organic areas
Apart from land dedicated to organic agriculture, there are further areas of organic land
dedicated to other activities. The largest part of these are wild collection areas and areas
for beekeeping. Further non-agricultural areas include aquaculture, forests, andgrazing areas on non-agricultural land. These areas totalled 31.8 million hectares, andall the organic areas together summed up to 108.3 million hectares.
It should be noted that many countries do not report non-agricultural organic areas.
We can, therefore, assume that the data on the other areas are incomplete.
For organic aquaculture and beekeeping, other indicators (production and number ofbeehives) are more relevant than the area, and the significance of organic aquaculture
and beekeeping cannot be measured in hectares (Table 23, Table 25). While some area
data on aquaculture are available, it should be noted that it is not complete.
For more information on aquaculture and beekeeping, see pages 81 and 80. Moreinformation on the use of the wild collection areas is available in the corresponding
chapter, page 76.

Figure 7: World: Distribution of all organic areas 2021. Total: 108.3 million hectares
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

48

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › All Organic Areas
Table 7: World: Organic areas: Agricultural land (including conversion areas) andfurther organic areas by region in 2021
RegionAgriculture [ha]Aquaculture[ha]

Forest[ha]

Wildcollection
[ha]*

Other
non-agri.
land [ha]

Total
[ha]

Africa2’663’980

1

41’79512’756’436

25

15’462’237

Asia

6’504’210

48’2503’815’281

1

10’367’742

Europe17’844’856

843’959

10’585’464

41

29’274’319

Latin America

9’870’888

40’623

2’377’015

996’100

13’284’626

North America

3’542’140

213’703

8’406

3’764’249

Oceania

35’985’809

121’794

36’107’603

World**

76’403’777

48’2511’140’081

29’664’396

996’166

108’252’670

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338; Blank cells: No data available.
*Wild collection and beekeeping areas; **Total includes correction value for French overseas departments.

Table 8: World: Organic areas: Agricultural land (including conversion areas) andfurther organic areas by country 2021
Country/Territory

Agriculture[ha]Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
AndorraArgentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
BahamasBangladesh
BelarusBelgium
BelizeBenin
BhutanBolivia
Bosnia andHerzegovina
Botswana
BrazilBritish Virgin
Islands
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
BurundiCambodia
Cameroon
CanadaChad
Channel Islands

98
1’094
772
2
4’074’804
583
35’687’799
679’11938’08049
504
6’725
101’830676
48’897
5’608
179’425

Aquaculture [ha]Forest [ha]Wildcollection[ha]*662’790475’136573

2’223
672’328
195’668

198’163

6’380
13’7616’380
1’496’183

2’126

5’781

15

26
86’31079’285549
21’112
1’594
1’215’589

Total
[ha]
98
1’139’020
772
2
4’095’363
4’435
35’687’799
679’119
40’779
49
6’285
6’725
101’830676
48’897
7’831
851’753

20’5593’852

2’495
1’482’406

Other nonagri. land[ha]26
87’760

8’507

8
4’600
7’810
808’806

180

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn86’310167’045549
21’120
6’194
1’231’907
808’806
180

49

Statistics › All Organic Areas
Country/Territory

Agriculture
[ha]

Chile
China
Colombia
Congo, Dem
republic ofComoros
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican
Republic
EcuadorEgypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands(Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
FinlandFranceFrench Guiana
French Polynesia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuadeloupe(France)
Guatemala
GuyanaHaiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
IrelandIsraelItaly
JamaicaJapan
JordanKazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo152’773
2’753’700
100’874

50

Aquaculture [ha]Forest [ha]Wildcollection[ha]*105’127
2’004’000
33’750

Other nonagri. land
[ha]

Total
[ha]
257’899
4’757’700
134’624

89’48689’486937
15
10’30078’783
121’9242’129
7’738
558’124299’998
2’907

937
15
10’30078’783
121’9242’129
7’738
558’124299’998
2’907

117’31252’185116’000
2’564
226’605
3’539
332’51940’007

3’081

120’393942

93’134116’000
2’564
672’1173’539
339’682445’5127’163

31’93731’937251
30’194327’737
2’776’554
3’886
1’592
4’278
1’802’231
38’260534’629195

0251
30’1947’256’430
2’776’554
4’362
117’5224’278
1’802’231
180’493534’629
195

7

1’416

169’089
55’449240’743
55’4492’738
66’179293’597
460’870
4’339’185
84’387
7’056
63
86’8685’781
2’186’159
18
11’992
1’446
113’247483’548375’478

6’928’693
406

142’232

1’300

108

71’6542’738
66’179293’597
6’440
2’657’889
83’362
7’051
63
86’8685’778
2’186’159
11
11’992
1’446
113’247
128’018
1’990

70
115’93048795

454’382
1’681’296
231
4

3
7

355’530
373’488

1

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › All Organic Areas
Country/Territory

Agriculture[ha]

KuwaitKyrgyzstan
Lao
LatviaLebanonLesothoLiberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
MalawiMalaysia
Mali
Malta
Martinique(France)
Mauritius
MayotteMexicoMoldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
MoroccoMozambique
MyanmarNamibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Niue
North Macedonia
NorwayOman
Pakistan
Palestine
PanamaPapua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Republic of Korea
Réunion (France)
Romania
Russian Federation
RwandaSaint Lucia
Samoa
Sao Tome andPrincipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal32
30’2597’993
291’150
1’671

Aquaculture [ha]Forest [ha]Other nonagri. land
[ha]

218

706

87

3’235

14’795793

1’079’967
1’351

7’463

335’306
1’842’285
20
2’313’989
24’39424

3’494

556’600
2’200

988’604219’384
0

74

2

0

801’704
33
5’864

9’291
27’110
3’262

Total
[ha]
32
30’2597’993
291’150
1’929
1’551’891
2’791
1’423
261’782
6’893
98’535324
1’276
32’63566258
1’551’891

2’791
1’423
261’782
6’893
95’082324
1’276
17’84066

13
114
238’075
28’368242
4’404
11’45241’048
10’143384
2’448
76’375800
79’34737’35758’028117
7’794
45’112
7
69’850
5’517
5’929
88’014113’147374’926
216’334
509’286308’289
40’663
2’100
578’718655’457
4’696
25
82’299Wildcollection
[ha]*

13
114
1’325’504
29’719242
4’404
346’759
1’883’333
10’1632’314’397
26’842
76’375800
79’34740’85158’028117564’394
45’112
2’207
69’850
5’517
5’929
88’014
1’101’751
594’310
216’334
509’286308’289
40’663
2’176
578’718
1’457’162
4’696
58
88’1649’291

15’258

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

27’11018’52051

Statistics › All Organic Areas
Country/Territory

SerbiaSeychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
SomaliaSouth Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
SwedenSwitzerland
TaiwanTajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited ArabEmirates
United Kingdom
United States ofAmerica
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
ZambiaZimbabwe
World**

Agriculture[ha]

Aquaculture [ha]Forest [ha]Wildcollection[ha]*

Other nonagri. land[ha]

23’5281’223
193’95415
222’896
52’0788’231
97’3592’635’442
66’623960
52
606’669
181’444
11’76522’292286’627
167’985
32’311130’858
1’119
279’389327’583
505’307422’299

137
163’710

2’762
90’742458

141’36611

24’33466
328’59641

23’5281’223
193’95415
222’896
52’0788’231
1’364’697
1’089’058
2’799’152
66’62399’00452
606’669
181’444
11’76522’292289’389259’186
32’311130’858
1’119
320’757
351’917505’373
750’9462

489’200

17’4002’326’551

205’196

76’403’777

1

98’044

5’419

2’741’845
4’925
6’281
2’496
74’540
3’376
1’085

1’364’697
991’562

Total
[ha]

40’62348’2511’140’081

5’421
506’600596

2’532’342

3’943
2’500’000
308’850

2’741’845
4’925
6’281
2’496
119’105
2’503’376
309’935

29’664’396

996’166

108’252’670

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338; Blank cells: No data available.
*Wild collection and beekeeping areas, **Total includes correction value for French overseas departments.

52

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnFiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Source: FiBL survey 2023

Infographic 3: Organic producers 2021

Statistics › Producers and Other Operators

53

Statistics › Producers and Other Operators

Organic producers and other operator types
Producers
There were almost 3.7 million organic producers worldwide in 2021.
− According to the data obtained, more than 91 percent of the producers were in
Asia, Africa, and Europe (Table 9, Figure 8).
− The country with the most organic producers was India, followed by Uganda andEthiopia (Table 10, Figure 9).
− There has been an increase in the number of producers of more than 170’000, or 4.9
percent, compared to 2020. In Africa, Oceania, Latin America, Europe andNorthern America, the number of producers increased. Only in Asia there was aslight decrease in 2021 (Table 9).

Reporting precise figures on the number of organic farms remains difficult as somecountries:•

report only the numbers of companies, projects, or grower groups, which may
each comprise many individual producers;•

do not provide data on the number of producers at all;•include collectors in case there are wild collection areas, and•provide the number of producers per crop, and there may be overlaps for thosegrowers who grow several crops.

The number of producers should, therefore, be treated with caution, and it may be
assumed that the total number of organic producers is higher than that reported here.
Table 9: World: Development of the numbers of producers by region
Region2020 [no.]2021 [no.]1 year
growth[no.]1 year
growth[%]10 years
growth[no.]

10 years
growth[%]Africa968’233

1’123’255

155’02216.0%

595’342112.8%

Asia

1’811’209

1’782’134-29’075-1.6%

1’171’012

191.6%

Europe417’987442’274

24’287

5.8%

152’646

52.7%

Latin America262’115280’436

18’321

7.0%-27’111-8.8%

Northern America

22’44823’392

944

4.2%

6’794

40.9%

Oceania

15’93018’479

2’549

16.0%

4’293

30.3%

3’496’898

3’669’201

172’303

4.9%

1’902’412

107.7%

World

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

54

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Producers and Other Operators

Figure 8: World: Distribution of organic producers by region 2021 (Total: 3.7 million
producers)
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 9: World: The ten countries with the largest numbers of organic producers
2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

55

Statistics › Producers and Other Operators
Further operator types
Regarding data on further operator types, there are over 118’000 processors andapproximately 8´400 importers, most of them in Europe. However, not all countries
reported the number of processors, exporters, importers, or other operator types. For
instance, data for the United States is missing, and it can be assumed that the numberof processors, importers, and exporters is far higher than what is indicated in Table 10.
Further operator types reported but not listed here were beekeepers, smallholder
groups, and aquaculture enterprises, as well as the number of collectors (wildcollection).
Table 10: World: Organic producers and other operator types by country 2021
For many countries (particularly those with no private or governmental data collection system), data on thevarious operator types are missing or incomplete. Please note that for some countries data is compiled fromseveral sources (i.e. several certifiers), not all of which were updated.
Country/Territory
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
AndorraArgentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
BelarusBelgium
BelizeBenin
BhutanBolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
BrazilBrunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
BurundiCambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo Dem. Rep.
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic

Producers1
130
64
1’336
27
1’829
23’961
446
19
2’590
385
9’046
1’998
14’16190
128’667
5’942
27’021
668
4’135
632
6’916
2’960
3’288
14’847171637
94’718
58
47
2’990
6’024
8
1’292
4’797
4’186
258
15’563

Processors
2
62
3
3
476

Importers

2’077
1’691
446
1
20
1’585
1
5
227
7’619
51
1
15
1
249
28
1
34

161
58

299
4

304

11
153

1’827
4
325
4’669

1

Exporters
2
26
2
99

11
3
233
20
1

22

31

288

7
20

14
378
4
70
930
1’162
2

3
88
2’605
89
7
18
50
25

12
28
359
101

Some countries report only the numbers of companies, projects or grower groups, which may eachcompromise a number of producers.
1

56

2
69

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

1
0
163
104
136

Statistics › Producers and Other Operators
Country/Territory
EcuadorEgypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
FinlandFranceFrench Guiana (France)
French Polynesia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaGuineaGuyanaHaiti
HondurasHong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
IrelandIsraelItaly
JamaicaJapan
JordanKazakhstan
Kenya
KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstan
La
LatviaLebanonLesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
MalawiMalaysia
Mali
Malta
Martinique (France)
Mauritius
MayotteMexicoMoldova
MonacoMongolia
Montenegro
MoroccoMozambique
MyanmarNamibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua

Producers1
8’398
970
374

Processors
32
242
10

Importers
12

Exporters
180
242

2’043
3
218’175
3
1
13
5’007
58’41369
19729
36’307
3’433
29’869
5
186
141

195
1
83

47

24
1
42

56
662

37

4’631
15’0465’129
30
1’599’010
17’836
346
1’914
345
75’874
2
3’678
23
281
44’565
56
1’144
1’519
4’171
124
10
47
2’529
123
61’974330
11’6082577
952’274
151
314
422
423
1’358
68
15
1’048
1’985
685
10’912

1414
19’3119
2
19’572
24
1’653
3
16
82
0
1
1
59
1
489
20
1’703
169
28
215
153
23’802
2
3’361
5
2
22
19
1
4
2
65
58
1

2’016
45
1
7

61
8

0
3
347

156
91
579

58
41
1’036

302
4
7
1

5
4

1
8

1
26
1
16
26
6

1

25
253
11
17
13
23
995
345
32

132
3
1
7

58

121
107

677
21
2

38
40

54

82
1
3
2
0
1
1

0
1
21
9
0
6

3

40

0
83
9
17
2
533

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

146
119
61

57

Statistics › Producers and Other Operators
Country/Territory
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
North Macedonia
NorwayOman
Pakistan
Palestine
PanamaPapua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Puerto Rico
Republic of Korea
Réunion (France)
Romania
Russian Federation
RwandaSaint Lucia
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
SenegalSerbiaSierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
SomaliaSouth Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
SwedenSwitzerland
TaiwanTajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
ZambiaZimbabwe
Total

Producers1
2’308
2
887
1’778
1
934
1’632
18
12’827
5’591
117’398
13’06918’59813’26325’362427
11’562
66
8’930
1
1’993
4’201
400
18’372
458
5’507
716
3’685
898
4
1’307
52’861
1’940
1
1
5’360
7’670
4’436
166
148’607
73’611
3
19’70981
7’101
48’244404’246
418
152
3’581
16’476
1’417
26
74
8
12’453
10’872
10’3793’669’201

Processors
013

Importers

Exporters
0
6

17
471

8
103

1
0

55
41
2

53
4
6
61

88
668
1’296
1
729
36
209
19
6

267
66

77
319
31

3
34

25
4

1
1
20
152
9
20
119
139
2
213
5’921
258
1
1
1’128
1’427

74
10
43
28

9
472

361
520

1
107
230
275
1
27
15
1
6

7
294
3
4
1
669
227

6
280

73
16
2’566

216

4
28
1
159
516

14

1
15

3
3’314
9
9
118’747

2
8
2
16
82
3
14
5
0

15

40

8’592

1
60
8
10
9’292

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338. Total includes correction value for French overseas departments.
Blank cells: No data available.

58

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Source: FiBL survey 2023

Infographic 4: Organic retail sales 2021
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

59

Statistics › Retail Sales

Retail sales1
Whereas Amarjit Sahota presents global trends for the organic market along with muchbackground information (page 134), in this chapter, we show the country-related
market data that was compiled under the framework of the FiBL survey on organic
agriculture.
Data on total retail sales value was available for 48 countries (about one-quarter of thetotal countries with organic data), which means that for many countries with organic
farming activities, such data is missing.
Total retail sales, according to the FiBL survey, amounted to almost 125 billion euros in2021, representing an estimated increase of approximate 3 percent and thus a
considerably slower increase than in 2020, when due to the Corona pandemic themarket increased by more than 10 percent.
− The country with the largest market for organic food was the United States (48.6
billion euros), followed by Germany (15.9 billion euros), France (12.7 billion euros)
and China (11.3 billion euros).
− The largest single market was the United States, followed by the European Union(46.7. billion euros) and China (Figure 86).
− By region, Europe had the lead (54.5 billion euros), followed by North America(53.9 billion euros) and Asia (13.7 billion euros) (Figure 11).
− Market growth was noted in most countries for which 2021 data were available,
but only in three cases it was in the double digits. Estonia was the country that
registered the biggest growth; the market increased by 21.0 percent.
− Whereas the highest per capita consumption by region was in Northern America(143.7 euros2), by country, it was highest in Europe. In 2021, Switzerland had thehighest per capita consumption (425 euros) worldwide, followed by Denmark(384 euros), Luxembourg (313 euros) and Austria (268 euros) (Table 12).
− Looking at the shares the organic market has of the total market, the leader isDenmark (13.0 percent), followed by Austria (11.6 percent), Luxembourg (11.0
percent) and Switzerland (10.9 percent) (Table 12).

1 Please note that due to differences in the methodology, some of the figures presented in this chapter differ
from those collected in by Ecovia Intelligence (see chapter by Amarjit Sahota).
2 Please note that due to the fluctuating euro – US dollar exchange rate, this number is lower than what we
communicated in the 2022 edition of this yearbook.

60

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Retail Sales
Table 11: Global market data: Retail sales and per capita consumption by region 2021
RegionRetail sales [Million €]1

Per capita consumption [€]AfricaAsia
EuropeLatin America*
Northern America
Oceania

No data
13’747
54’539778
53’901
1’866

No data
3.0
65.7
1.2
143.7
41.9

Total

124’845

15.7

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector and market researchcompanies. For data sources, see annex, page 338.
*Data from Belize, Brazil, Chile, Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru, some of which have not been updated for several years.

Figure 10: Global market for organic food: Distribution of retail sales by country 2021
Figure 11: Global market for organic food: Distribution of retail sales by region 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector and market researchcompanies. For data sources, see annex, page 338

1

According to the Central European Bank, 1 euro corresponded to 1.1827 US dollars in 2021.
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

61

Statistics › Retail Sales

Figure 12: Global market: The countries with the largest markets for organic food2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector and market researchcompanies. For data sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 13: Global market: The ten countries with the highest per capita consumption
2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector and market researchcompanies. For data sources, see annex, page 338

62

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Retail Sales
Table 12: Global market data: Retail sales, organic share of all retail sales and per capita
consumption by country 2021
It should be noted that retail sales data remains problematic due to differing methods of data collection.
Comments and revisions on this table should be sent to helga.willer@fibl.org.
Country

Data year

Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
BhutanBosnia and Herzegovina
BrazilBulgaria
CanadaChina
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Ethiopia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan

2021
2021
2011
2021
2018
2017
2016
2021
2021
2021
2018
2020
2021
2021
2015
2021
2021
2021
2021
2015
2017
2020
2021
2018
2017
2017
2021
2017
2021
2020
2021
2020
2017
2019
2016
2021
2011
2021
2016
2018
2021
2017
2013
2020
2021
2021
2014
2014
2021
2021
2020
2021

LatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mongolia
Netherlands
New Zealand
NorwayPolandPortugal
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
ThailandTürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
United States of America
Total

Retail sales[Million €]1
1’694
2’397
3
978
0.03
0.4
778
33
5’284
11’319
99
226
2’240
93
13
407
12’65915’870
66
30
186
235
3’943
1’419
51
9
51
197
1
1’374
172

Organic
share [%]€/person
11.6
3.8
0.3
1.0
3.3
2.2
1.8
13.0
5.0
2.5
6.6
7.0
0.3
0.3
2.7
3.4
1.4
1.5
1.0
11.0
3.3

66
268
0
122
0
0
4
5
138
8
24
22
384
70
0
74
187
191
6
3
0
47
67
11
6
230
18
313
0
79
34

2.2
442
314
21
486
41
183
306
16
49
2’528
2’764
3’705
12
46
28
3’461
48’618124’845

83
1.7
0.6
0.2
0.2

1.8
2.5
8.9
10.9

1.8
6.0

8
2
9
2
1
9
3
27
53
266
425
0
1
1
52
146
15.7

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector and market researchcompanies. For data sources, see annex, page 338. Blank cells: No data available

1

According to the Central European Bank, 1 euro corresponded to 1.1827 US dollars in 2021.
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

63

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Source: FiBL survey 2023

Infographic 5: EU and US organic imports 2021
64

Statistics › International Trade

Export and import data
International trade data is becoming available for more and more countries. These canbe expressed in metric tons or as values. Import data were not available for many
countries, but since 2018, the European Union (EU) has collected import data; these areavailable on page 137. Data on US organic imports (values and quantity) are available
on the USDA website.
Please note the US organic import data do not cover all commodities.
Table 13: World: Organic imports to the European Union and US by region 2021
Exporting region

Importdestination

2021 exports[MT]

AfricaExport to EU

428’581

26’032

6.5%

Export to USA

30’121-15’843-34.5%

Africa total
Asia

Export to EU
Export to USA

Asia total
Europe10’1892.3%

609’602-53’568-8.1%

65’111-34’457-34.6%

674’712-88’025-11.5%

515’187

66’511

14.8%

163’823-110’347-40.2%

679’010-43’836-6.1%

Export to EU

1’256’457

43’396

3.6%

Export to USA

1’405’827

61’787

4.6%

2’662’284

105’183

4.1%

Export to EU

42’508-6’319-12.9%

Export to USA

137’794

40’942

42.3%

180’302

34’62323.8%

20’614

2’794

15.7%

Northern America total
Oceania458’702

Export to USA

Latin America total
Northern America

1-year growth[%]

Export to EU

Europe total
Latin America

1-year growth[MT]

Export to EU
Export to USA

13’557

2’034

17.7%

34’171

4’828

16.5%

Total exports to EU and US

4’689’181

22’962

0.5%

Total exports to EU

2’872’948

78’845

2.8%

Total exports to US

1’816’234-55’883-3.0%

Oceania total

Source. TRACES/European Commission, GATS/USDA, compiled by FiBL

− Nearly 4.7 million tonnes of organic products were imported into the EU and
USA in 2021
While the European Union imported 2.9 million MT of organic products, the US
imported 1.8 million MT. EU and US organic imports increased by 0.5 percent oralmost 23’000 metric tons in 2021.
− Ecuador was the largest exporter
The largest exporters into the EU and US in 2021 were Ecuador (583'589 MT),
Mexico (425'414 MT) and Peru (344'483 MT).

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

65

Statistics › International Trade− Large increase in export volume from Mexico, Canada and Colombia
Mexico (+59'880 MT, +16.4 percent), Canada (+38’202 MT, +29.3 percent) and
Colombia (+27'758 MT, +11.6 percent) increased their exports to the EU and US themost.
− Significant decline in imports from China, Ukraine and Russia
Between 2020/2021, imports of organic products into the EU and US decreased themost from China (-80'272 MT, -35 percent, Russian Federation (-55'297 MT, -47.2
percent) and Ukraine (-34'286 MT, down -12.5 percent).
− Bananas, sugar and soybeans – the top three most imported products
Bananas, sugar and soybeans accounted for 44 percent of total imports of organic
commodities in 2021. Bananas were imported at 1'275'723 MT, sugar at 433'962 MT
and oilseeds at 353'808 MT.
− Increase for tropical fruit, decrease for cereals and soybeans
The highest increase was recorded for bananas (+67'699 MT, 5.6 percent increase),
and also mangoes increased substantially (19'804 MT, 55.1 percent increase). The
highest decrease was recorded for wheat (-64’463 MT, - 49.7 percent decrease),maize (-60'947 MT, 20.2 percent decrease) and soybeans (-53'695 MT, 13.2 percent
decrease).
− The US, the Netherlands and Germany are the three main important importers
Almost 70 percent of organic commodities are imported through the top threeimporting countries into the EU and US. The US imported 1.8 million MT (39percent of all EU/US organic imports), Netherlands 0.9 million MT in 2021 (20percent), followed by Germany (0.5 million MT, 11 percent). In the case of theNetherlands, a significant part of the imports is further redistributed.
Table 14: World: Organic imports to the European Union and US by country of origin
2021
Please note that this table covers only the Imports into the European Union and the United States. For theUnited States, it has to be stated that imports are not complete, as not all products are covered.
Country/
Territory

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
AngolaArgentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
AzerbaijanBangladesh
Belarus
BelizeBenin
Bolivia
Bosnia &Herzegovina
Botswana
BrazilBulgaria
Burkina
Faso

66

Exports to
EU [MT]

1’970
2’907
9
55’259121
1’714

Exports to
USA [MT]

Exports to
EU andUSA [MT]00

13
232’011
11
182
415

1’228
180

1’970
2’919
9
287’269
132
1’896
415
1’228

55

235

2’459
35
7’708
12’986

8’138

2’459
35
7’708
21’125

2’762

26

2’788

119’368150
174’82015

055’452
17’55817’558Country/
Territory

Exports to
EU [MT]

Exports to
USA [MT]

BurundiCambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Costa
Rica
Côte
d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Congo,Dem Rep.
DenmarkDjibouti
Dom.
Republic
Ecuador
Egypt

73
7’661

220

Exports to
EU andUSA [MT]
73
7’880

217

70

288

30’610610
27’909149’283
105’19942

137’794

168’404610
71’264152’529
267’40742

24’342

9’699

43’3553’246
162’208

35’48134’04235’481

27

27
2’444

58

12’60800
18

265’075

3’863

268’937

345’242
52’020238’34753

583’589
52’073

2’444
12’55018

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › International Trade
Country/
TerritoryEl
Salvador
Estonia
Ethiopia
EU
undefined
Fiji
FranceFrenchPolynesia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuineaBissau
GuyanaHaiti
Honduras
Hong
Kong
India
Indonesia
Iran
IrelandIsraelItaly
JamaicaJapan
JordanKazakhstan
Kenya
KosovoKyrgyzstan
Lao
LebanonLesotho
Lithuania
Madagascar
MalawiMalaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritius
MexicoMoldova
MontenegroMoroccoMozambique
MyanmarNamibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New
Caledonia
New
Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria

Exports to
EU [MT]

Exports to
USA [MT]

Exports to
EU andUSA [MT]

190

127

317

5’182

5’182
17’036

76

76

1’874

43
1’874

17’036
43
79
653

79
77
245
6’953
1’846

730
245
30’398
1’846
4

2’675

10’527

13’20238

644

23’445
4

426

426

433
336
46’261433
2’174
68’972

1’838
22’71188

3

91

205’928
10’802
1’641

43’2266’825
16663
27’4506637
15249’153
17’6271’641
16
24’64527’4506
5’140
147

35’012

98

35’110

9’565
522

184
39

9’749
561

23’982
4’503
132

645
11’692
10
793

645
90
3

6’947
0
42
455
4’736
1
73’26519’376

6’947
3’566

295
352’149

17
20’077

1’169

6’869
700
831

21’246
5’311

5
10

95
14
240

669

669

0
17’317

3’566
42
455
4’736
296
425’41419’376
17

5’311
90
14
230

11’692100793
30
12’2695’716
75

29’587
12’584700
906Country/
Territory
North
Macedonia
Pakistan
Palestine
PanamaPapua
New
GuineaParaguay
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Republicof Korea
Romania
RussianFederation
RwandaSamoa
Sao Tome& Principe
Saudi
ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychelles
SierraLeone
Singapore
SomaliaSouth
AfricaSpain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
SwedenSwitzerland
Syria
TaiwanTanzania
Thailand
TimorLeste
Togo
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnitedArab
Emirates
UK
USA
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Viet Nam
Yemen
ZambiaZimbabwe
Total

Exports to
EU [MT]

Exports to
USA [MT]

Exports to
EU andUSA [MT]

654

8

662

45’244
861
474

381
796

45’625
861
1’270

1’388

1’106

2’494

26’931
203’577

51’859140’906

78’790344’483

26’13626’136
2
3’228

2
3’228

30

331

9

9

15’91945’946

61’865

663
51

67

730
51

300

4’888

4’888

277

277

2’891
19’37324

2’891
19’46824

95

16’236

16’236

877
59

877
59

28’139312

28’45010’082194
45

10’08244’723
4’997
88
45

7

25

32

93
4’744
20’077

6
25
45
7’981

6
118
4’788
28’058724

724

68’34155’717
154’938
22’452
189’239

4’390
12’362
15’817414
50’32972’73168’079170’755
22’866239’568

303

17

319

107’951
11’898
1’409

356

108’307
11’8983’612

44’528
4’997
88

2’203

1’257

1’257

21
15’267

565
8
92

1
314
2’872’948

21
15’832893314

1’816’234

4’689’181

Source: TRACES/European Union and GATS/USDA

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67

Statistics › DAC Countries

Organic farming in developing countries and emerging
markets
The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a forum to discuss issues surrounding aid,
development and poverty reduction in developing countries. The recipients of Official
Development Assistance (ODA) according to the DAC list1 are studied in this section.
− More than 3.2 million organic producers from the countries on this list werecounted (88 percent of all organic producers).
− More than a fifth of the world’s organic agricultural land, 17.0 million hectares, islocated in countries on this list.
− Almost half of the agricultural land of the countries on the DAC list is located in
Latin American countries (6.9 million hectares), with Asia (6.4 million) and Africa(2.6 million) in second and third place.
− The countries with the largest areas of organic agricultural land are Argentina,
China and India, in that order. Not surprisingly, all of them are large countries(Figure 14).
− However, when it comes to organic agricultural land as a percentage of the total
area under cultivation, the order is different. The countries on the DAC list withthe highest percentages of organic agricultural land are Samoa (29.1 percent), São
Tomé and Príncipe (21.1 percent) and Dominica (11.6 percent). Argentina, with by
far the largest area under organic cultivation (with 4.0 million hectares), is ranked
16 (2.7 percent) when the organic agricultural area is expressed as a share of thetotal agricultural area. The organic area shares of the total agricultural land of the
top ten countries on the DAC list are comparable to that of many European
countries, and the high organic shares can be attributed in part to a highproduction potential for, and focus on, exports. Support activities may also play arole. However, of the countries on the DAC list (104 in total), only 30 percent havean organic share higher than one percent of the total agricultural area (Figure 15).
− Land use details were available for more than 78 percent of the agricultural land of
the countries on the DAC list; crop data is missing for some of the world’s largest
producing countries (India and Brazil). Available statistics show that organic
arable land areas constituted over 30 percent of the organic agricultural land,organic grassland/grazing over 23 percent, and organic permanent crops more 22
percent. Exports play an important role, either for meat products (mainly from
Argentina and Uruguay) or for unprocessed permanent and arable crops. The
most important crops are cereals, coffee, oilseeds, textile crops (mainly cotton),nuts, coconuts, olives, cocoa, etc. For Africa, coffee and olives, for Asia, cereals andoilseeds, and for Latin America, coffee and cocoa are the most important crops.

The country list of the Development Assistance Committee DAC is available on the OECD website at
http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/daclist.htm
1

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Statistics › DAC Countries
Table 15: Countries on the DAC list1: Development of organic agricultural land 20122021
2012

2016

2021

RegionOrganic
area [ha][%]Organic
area [ha][%]Organic
area [ha][%]Africa1’145’186

0.1

1’613’089

0.1

2’661’766

0.2

Asia

3’146’877

0.1

4’809’139

0.2

6’401’429

0.4

Europe841’733

0.5

957’9780.6

819’556

1.1

5’589’776

0.4

5’667’297

0.4

6’938’366

1.0

53’350

1.3

113’1542.6

216’255

10.3

10’776’921

0.2

13’160’657

0.2

17’037’372

0.5

Latin America
Oceania
Total

Source: FiBL surveys, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 14 (left): Countries on the DAC list: The ten countries with the largest areas oforganic agricultural land in 2021
Figure 15 (right): Countries on the DAC list: The ten countries with the highest
organic shares of the total agricultural land in 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

The development is displayed for all countries, which are on the 2021 DAC list. The data is not comparable
to those previously published, as there were changes in the list.
1

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69

Statistics › Land Use

Land use and key commodities in organic agriculture
Land use
General land use information was available for 93 percent of the organic agricultural
land; however, this does not mean detailed crop information is available for all areas as
not all countries (e.g. Brazil and India) provided detailed crop data.1, 2
About two-thirds of the 76.4 million hectares of organic agricultural land in 2021 were
grassland/grazing areas (over 49.5 million hectares). The cropland area (arable landwith 14.7 million hectares and permanent crops with 6.2 million hectares) constituted
20.9 million hectares, which was less than a quarter of the organic agricultural land
(Table 16).
The land use information by geographical region is summarized in Figure 16 and Table
16. While in Oceania and Latin America, permanent grassland/grazing covers a largepart of the organic farmland area, in Africa, permanent crops are the most importantland use type. In Asia, Europe and North America, arable land is the most important.
Table 16: World: Land use in organic agriculture by 2021
Land use
Arable land
crops
Permanent
cropsPerm. grassland
Total

Oceania[ha]

Latin
America[ha]Northern
America[ha]

8’447’077

527’258

1’522’101

51’38614’750’358

928’199

1’997’091

934’934

458’009

147’284

6’213’298

52’197

8’468

6’945’344

6’895’152

964’953

34’672’149

49’538’263

2’663’980

6’504’210

17’844’856

9’870’888

3’542’140

35’985’809

76’403’776

Africa
[ha]

Asia
[ha]

Europe[ha]811’988

3’390’547

1’747’781

World
[ha]

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338. Total includes areas for which no further details were available.

The key arable crops were cereals, green fodder from arable land and oilseeds. For
permanent crops, olives, nuts and coffee were the most relevant (Figure 17, Table 17,
Table 18). For details, see section on arable and permanent crops on the following pages.
While the arable and permanent crop area increased by 11.5 and 15.4 percent,respectively, organic grassland/grazing areas decreased by 2.5 percent (Figure 18).

For some countries, only information on the main uses (arable crops, permanent crops, and permanent
grassland) was available. For other countries, very detailed statistical land use information can be found.
2 The FAO classification of land use was utilized for this survey with slight modifications. A system similar tothat of Eurostat was used for the classification of crops. The following main levels were used to classify theland use data: arable land, permanent crops, cropland for which no further details were available (cropland= arable land + permanent cropland), permanent grassland/grazing areas, other agricultural areas (such ashedges) and agricultural land for which no details were available at all. For crop groups by land use type, see
Table 17 and Table 18. Aquaculture, forest, and grazed non-agricultural land were distinguished from
“agricultural land” with a separate category, as were organic wild collection areas and beekeeping areas.
For more details, see the FAOSTAT homepage, faostat.fao.org: Home > Concepts and Definitions > Glossary,or http://faostat.fao.org/site/379/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=379
1

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Statistics › Land Use

Figure 16: World: Distribution of main land use types by region 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 17: World: Distribution of main land use types and key crop categories 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

71

Statistics › Land Use

Figure 18: World: Development of organic farmland by landuse 2004-2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Arable landWith a total of more than 14.8 million hectares, organic arable land constituted
19 percent of the world’s organic agricultural land and 1 percent of the world’s arable
cropland.
Compared to 2020, organic arable land increased by 11.5 percent.
Almost 58 percent of the arable land was located in Europe, followed by Asia
(23 percent) and Northern America (10 percent) (Figure 19). Most of the arable cropland
was used for cereals, including rice (5.5 million hectares), green fodder (3.2 million
hectares) and oilseeds (2.1 million hectares) (Figure 20 and Table 17).

Permanent crops
Permanent crops accounted for more than 6.2 million hectares, which is 3.5 percent of
the world’s permanent cropland. Compared with 2020, an increase of more than 0.8
million hectares, or 15.4 percent, was reported.
Eight percent of the organic agricultural land was permanent cropland.
Most of the permanent cropland was in Europe (almost 2.0 million hectares), followedby Africa (nearly 1.7 million hectares) and Asia (over 0.9 million hectares) (Figure 21;
Figure 22 and Table 18).

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Statistics › Land Use
Table 17: Use of organic arable land 2012, 2020 and 2021 compared
Crop group

Organic area
2021 [ha]Cereals
Dry pulses
Oilseeds
Plantsharvestedgreen
Root crops
Sugarcane
Textile crops
Vegetables
Total

Share of total
2021 [%]

1 yearchange [ha]1 yearchange [%]10 yearchange [ha]10 yearchange [%]5’480’988
733’308
2’098’555

0.7
0.8
0.8

386’928-6’087
301’709

7.6
-0.8
16.8

2’626’285
408’856
1’416’643

92.0
126.0
207.7

3’218’742

7.3-17’694-0.5

911’98139.5

157’451
107’790986’745445’884

0.2
0.4
2.8
0.7

16’177
11’686366’374-446.2

11.5
12.2
59.1
-0.1

102’482
69’476899’673
207’283

186.4
181.3
1’033.2
86.9

14’750’358

0.8%

1’520’266

11.5

6’770’902

84.9

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. Total includes
unspecified arable land. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

Table 18: Use of organic permanent cropland 2012, 2020 and 2021 compared
Crop group

Berries
Citrus fruit
Cocoa
Coconut
CoffeeFruit of temperate
climate zones
Fruit, tropical andsubtropical
GrapesMedicinal/aromaticplantsNuts
Olives
Tea/mate, etc.
Total

Organic area
2021 [ha]Share of total
2021 [%]

1 yearchange[ha]

101’759
114’600469’659309’618922’399

16.9
1.1
4.0
2.7
8.1

38’670-20’162-8’946
18’520
195’837

301’829

2.6

330’019

1 yearchange[%]10 yearchange [ha]10 yearchange [%]

61.3
-15.0
-1.9
6.4
27.0

59’16158’096267’857
251’496
252’308

138.9
102.8
132.7
432.7
37.7

26’373

9.6

137’278

83.4

1.1

62’90823.6

109’39549.6

510’033

7.5

3’594

0.7

222’005

77.1

123’712

5.5

10’561

9.3

83’484.8

207.5

843’862902’601
209’639

5.4
8.6
3.8

135’082
3’816
36’414

19.1
0.4
21.0

581’301
327’035
138’650

221.4
56.8
195.3

6’213’298

3.5%

828’749

15.4

3’021’763

94.7

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. Total includes
unspecified permanent cropland. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

Table 19: Use of organic arable and permanent cropland 2012, 2020 and 2021
comparedCrop group

Arable &permanent
crops

Organic area
2021 [ha]20’963’656

Share of total
2021 [%]

1.1%

1 yearchange[ha]
2’349’015

1 yearchange [%]10 yearchange [ha]10 yearchange [%]12.6

9’792’664

87.7

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

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Statistics › Land Use

Figure 19: World: Distribution of organic arable cropland by region 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 20: World: Use of arable cropland by crop group 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

74

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Statistics › Land Use

Figure 21: World: Distribution of permanent cropland by region 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 22: World: Use of permanent cropland by crop group 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

75

Statistics › Land Use › Wild Collection
Wild collection and beekeeping areas
The collection of wild-harvested crops is defined in the IFOAM Norms (IFOAM 2014),
and wild collection activities are regulated by organic laws. A collection area (including
beekeeping) of 29.7 million hectares was reported in 2021. The organic wild collection
areas are concentrated in Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America (Figure 23 and Table20); the distribution is thus quite different from that of the organic agricultural land.
The countries with the largest areas are Finland (mainly berries), followed by Zambia,
Namibia (Figure 24). Medicinal and aromatic plants play the most important role (Table
21). Unfortunately, for most of the wild collection areas, no details were available.
Table 20: Wild collection and beekeeping areas by region 2020 and 2021 comparedRegion2020 [ha]2021 [ha]Change2020-2021 [ha]Change2020-2021 [%]AfricaAsia
EuropeLatin America
Northern America
Oceania

11’772’231
3’522’309
8’689’564
3’075’474
289’965

12’756’436
3’815’281
10’585’464
2’377’015
8’406
121’794984’204.8
292’972.0
1’895’899.8-698’459.0-281’558.8
121’794.3

8.4%
8.3%
21.8%
-22.7%-97.1%

World

27’349’543

29’664’396

2’314’853.1

8.5%

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on data from governments, the private sector, and certifiers.
For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

Table 21: Wild collection and beekeeping areas by crop group 2020 and 2021
Land use/ProductArea [ha] 2020

Area [ha] 2021

Bee pastures
Berries, wild collection
Coffee, wild collection
Forest products
Fruit, wild collection
Marula, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Mushrooms, wild collection
Nuts, wild collection
Oil plants, wild collection
Palmito, wild collection
Permanent crops, wild collection, other
Rose hips, wild collection
SeaweedWild collection, no details/other2’540’848
283’459

2’514’809
258’821
6’442
2’009
2’004’982
10’0003’204’305

2’077
725’562
90’2253’886’743
0
1’154’518
33’19756’64920’2401’421’703
200’015
16’934’307

1’719’565
35’877
56’69915’1382’425’519
211’328
17’198’903

Total

27’349’543

29’664’396

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. The total includes
areas for which no details were available. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

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Statistics › Land Use › Wild Collection

Figure 23: World: Distribution of organic wild collection and beekeeping areas byregion in 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector and certifiers. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 24: World: The ten countries with the largest organic wild collection andbeekeeping areas in 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector, and certifiers. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

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77

Statistics › Land Use › Wild Collection
Table 22: Wild collection and beekeeping areas by country 2021
Country

Land use

Albania
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
BhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
BrazilWild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Fruit, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Fruit, wild collection
SeaweedNuts, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Nuts, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, otherNuts, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Fruit, wild collection
Palmito, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Bee pastures
Coffee, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Forest products
Apiculture
Wild collection, no details
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Forest products
Palmito, wild collection
SeaweedWild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Rose hips, wild collection
Berries, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Apiculture
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, other
Oil plants, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Rose hips, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, otherNuts, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection

Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia

Dominican Republic
EcuadorEstonia
Ethiopia
FinlandFrench Guiana (France)
French Polynesia
Ghana
GrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
Guatemala

GuyanaIceland
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)IsraelJamaica
Kenya

KosovoLebanonLesothoMadagascar
Mali

Mexico78

Area [ha]475’136
20’559
3’852
2’126
2’223
672’328
195’6686’380
313’358400
087’760
8
4’600
7’810
231’130577’676
105’127
2’004’000
28’000
2’500
3’250
3’081
942
445’512720
6’442
6’928’693
44
25
115’930147
142’0850
7
9’677
119’647
39’7662’000
53’449211’328
243’054
1’681’296
230
1
4
3
7
753
177’384
54’254
1’514
121’625
373’488258
1’551’891
3’235
6’700
8’000
95
1’077’344
474

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Statistics › Land Use › Wild Collection
Country
Moldova
MoroccoMozambique
Namibia

Nepal
Nicaragua
North Macedonia
Oman
Peru
Philippines
Réunion (France)
Russian Federation

Samoa
Senegal

Seychelles
SomaliaSouth Africa

Sudan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited Arab Emirates
United States of America
Viet Nam
ZambiaZimbabwe

Land use
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Nuts, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, other
Fruit, wild collection
Oil plants, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Wild collection, other
Fruit, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Oil plants, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Apiculture
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Oil plants, wild collection
Nuts, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Forest products
Berries, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Berries, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, otherNuts, wild collection
Permanent crops, wild collection, other
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, other
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Rose hips, wild collection
Wild collection, other
Bee pastures
Wild collection, other
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, no details
Nuts, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Berries, wild collection
Rose hips, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Berries, wild collection
Wild collection, no details
Wild collection, other
Bee pastures
Fruit, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Marula, wild collection

Total

Area [ha]
2’149
1’351
297’177
1’820
4’367
31’692250
31’4001’810’885
69’510471
2’244’008
24’34450
3’494
556’600
2’200
219’38402
0791’583
121
10’000
5’864
25
95
15’1381’223
155’767
1’208’930
9’088
10121’419861’045
98’044165
2’597
90’742
24’33465
167’795248’222
12’579
2
596
3’643
300
2’500’000
180’450
118’400
10’00029’664’396

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

79

Statistics › Aquaculture
Beehives
There were almost 2.73 million organic beehives in 2021, representing 3.0 percent of theworld’s beehives.1 Organic beehives are concentrated in Europe (39.1 percent) and Latin
America (37.8 percent) (Figure 25). The country with the largest number of organic
beehives was Brazil (approximately 630’000), followed by Zambia (almost 370’000) andMexico (more than 260’000) (Figure 25). The total number has increased five-fold since2007, when over 535’000 beehives were reported.
One of the main challenges for new organic beekeepers is the conversion process dueto the lack of access to knowledge on organic beekeeping practices and the organic
certification process. Furthermore, the production of good quality organic honey andthe control of the Varroa parasite with organic methods are major obstacles for organic
beekeepers.

Figure 25: World: Distribution of organic beehives by region in 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on data from government bodies, the private sector, and certifiers. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Table 23: Number of organic beehives by country 2021
Country/Territory
Argentina
Armenia
Australia

Area [ha]Country/Territory
31’540
1’501
6’475

Area [ha]Austria
BelarusBelgium

22’192
3’200
30

According to FAO, there were 90’548’801 beehives in 2020. The FAOSTAT website > Production > Liveanimals at http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QA
1

80

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Statistics › Aquaculture
Country/Territory
BhutanBosnia and Herzegovina
BrazilBulgaria
CanadaChile
China
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Estonia
FinlandFranceFrench Guiana (France)
Georgia
Germany
Guadeloupe (France)
Guatemala
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
Italy
KosovoLatviaLebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania

Area [ha]Country/Territory177
120
629’939232’072
6’639
23’508229’084
2’367
184
451
177
9’804
2’899
11’010122’647
211
1’721
35’000302
27’4154’640
1’900
171’09440
23’541
820

Area [ha]Martinique (France)
MayotteMexicoMoldova
Montenegro
MoroccoNicaragua
North Macedonia
NorwayPortugalRéunion (France)
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
Tunisia
TürkiyeUkraineUruguay
ZambiaTotal

37
12
262’787
7’200
3’381
1’242
20’9859’829
1’861
48’604
1’338
170’789
94
6’500
12’618251
1’814
81’650
2’182
5’202
579
94’736300
24’297368’274
2’730’354

1’092

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Aquaculture
Naturland from Germany was the first organisation to certify organic aquaculture
products, starting in 1995 with the certification of carp in Germany. Organic was thefirst Voluntary Sustainability Standard (VSS) to cover aquaculture production (Potts etal., 2016). In 2005, IFOAM – Organics International approved the final version of its
aquaculture standard.
A production volume of more than 600’000 metric tons of organic aquaculture wasreported in 2021.
− According to the available data, aquaculture production is concentrated in Asia (82percent, mainly China) and Europe (18 percent).
− The largest production volume was found in China (562’800 metric tons; however,
without breakdown by species), followed by Norway (26’999 metric tons) (Table
25 and Figure 26).
Unfortunately, some countries with large aquaculture production, such as Brazil andIndonesia, did not provide data on organic aquaculture; so it can be assumed that theorganic aquaculture production volume is higher.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

81

Statistics › Aquaculture
A breakdown by species was available for one-fourth of the total production. According
to the available data, organic salmon is the most produced species (56’224 metric tons),
followed by mussels (44’342 metric tons) and shrimps (11’646 metric tons) (Table 24).
Table 24: Organic aquaculture: Production volume by species 2021
Main species

Production [MT]Aquaculture, no details
Aquatic plants
Carps
Char
Clams, cockles, arkshells
Freshwater fishes
Miscellaneous coastal fishes
Mussels
Oysters
Salmons, trouts, smelts
Sea bass
Seabream
Shellfish
Shrimps, prawns
Sturgeons, paddlefishes

568’003
937
2’686

Total

689’287

1’320
43
250
44’3433’202
56’224127223
3
11’646281

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 26: World: Organic aquaculture production volume: Distribution by continentand top 10 countries 2021
Source: FiBL-survey 2023; based on national data sources and certifier data. For detailed data sources, see annex, page
338

82

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Statistics › Aquaculture

Figure 27: World: Organic aquaculture production volume: Distribution by species
and key species 2021
Source: FiBL-survey 2023; based on national data sources and certifier data. For detailed data sources, see annex, page
338

Table 25: Organic aquaculture: Production volume by country 2021
Country

Production [MT]Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
FranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
Ireland

233
342
0
1’836
562’800
888
1
5’487
8’955
8’573
1’574
1’740
3
18’050Italy
LatviaLithuania
Netherlands
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Viet Nam
Total

10’1678614
15’277
26’999
888
1’100
352
713
4’891
370
13’1284’299
689’287

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

References and further reading
European Market Observatory for fisheries and aquaculture (EUMOFA) (2022): Organic Aquaculture in the EU. European Commission,
Brussels. Available athttps://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/432372/Organic%20aquaculture%20in%20the%20EU_final%20report_ONLINE.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (2010): Organic aquaculture: The future of expanding niche markets.
Available at http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2734e/i2734e04c.pdf
Potts, Jason; Wilkings, Ann; Lynch, Matthew; and McFatridge, Scott (Eds.) (2016): State of Sustainability Initiatives Review: Standards
and the Blue Economy. International Institute for Sustainable Development, Manitoba, Canada. Available athttps://www.iisd.org/publications/state-sustainability-initiatives-review-standards-and-blue-economy

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

83

Statistics › Selected Crops
Statistics on selected crops
In this section, some of the data on key crops and crop groups is presented, including
the area under organic management compared with the total area of the crops. FiBL
collected land use and crop data for the first time in 2004; hence, the development
graphs show the growth since that year.
Also in this edition, we are presenting graphs on selected crops and crop groups: A
map on the global distribution by country for a given crop/crop group, its development,
the top then countries in terms of organic area and organic share of total, thedistribution by continent and, in the case of crop groups, the breakdown by crop. All
these graphics are based on interactive Power BI graphs, which you can explore athttps://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html.
It should be noted that the organic areas are mainly compared with the area harvested
as provided by FAO and Eurostat. The data may not necessarily be directly comparable
to the areas sown or planted as registered by the certification bodies.
Data on conversion status: For some countries, data were collated from several
certifiers, some of which provided information on the conversion status while others
did not. In those cases where the certifiers did not include information status, we
assumed that land was fully converted. The tables presented in this section are only
part of the information available in the FiBL crop database, which is available atstatistics.fibl.org.
Furthermore, at www.organic-world.net slides on key crops are available.
Table 26: World: Selected key crop groups and crops area in organic agriculture 2021
(overview including conversion areas)
Crop

Africa
[ha]

Asia
[ha]

Europe[ha]

Latin
America[ha]North
America[ha]

Oceania[ha]

Total [ha]Cereals
Citrus fruit
Cocoa
CoffeeDry pulses
Fruit temperate
Fruit, tropical/
subtropical
GrapesOilseeds
OlivesVegetables

16’5107’204
287’655
313’325
3’563
3’345
124’114

1’653’261
13’393380
73’79930’230112’935
41’411

2’947’005
54’904661’473
5’403

41’293569’895
156’654
38’565161’447
33’697
179’689466’922
17’918
9’711
120’773

5’480’988
114’600469’659922’399733’308
301’829330’0195’129
219’851
264’445
38’88114’861723’168
9’394
59’066435’216921’718618’525
230’155

20’30773’6199’609
29’60028’736160’199628
84’147

115
111’703
19’1845’122

1’935
68’238

34
5’783

4’035

510’033
2’098’555
902’601445’884

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

84

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Statistics › Crops › Cereals› Cereals
In 2021, almost 5.5 million hectares or 0.7 percent of the global cereal area was underorganic management.

Figure 28: Cereals: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

85

Statistics › Crops › Cereals

Figure 29: Cereals: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

86

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Statistics › Crops › Cereals
Table 27: Cereals: Organic area by country 2021
Country/Territory

Albania
Argentina
Australia
Austria
BelarusBelgium
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia andHerzegovina
BrazilBulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
CanadaChile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Congo D.R.
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Ethiopia
FinlandFranceGermany
Ghana
GreeceHungary
IcelandIndonesia
Iran
IrelandIsraelItaly
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
KosovoKyrgyzstan
Lao
LatviaLebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Mali
Malta
MexicoMoldova
MoroccoNetherlands
Nicaragua
NorwayOrganic area[ha]

Organic share [%]Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]1
22’72941’293128’719689
13’17915
94’012
138

0.00
0.13
0.21
16.86
0.03
4.33
0.00
6.35
0.04

0
22’72941’2931

2’360
10’943507
17’554371’217332
1’425’000
186
65
58
12’819771
42’269938
99’829433
8’946
52’44050
76’384371’710384’000435
38’10838’905
64
211
182
4’010
759
275’799
3’063
28’414
272
135
1’588
2’931
60’86540
81
110’590
1’099
21
310
4
9’671
11’297
104
4’483
2’633
6’668

0.01
0.54
0.01
0.51
2.46
0.07
1.42
0.02
0.18
0.00
2.39
2.41
3.14
0.02
7.35
0.06
0.29
14.18
0.00
7.98
4.23
6.33
0.02
5.16
1.64
2.69
0.00
0.00
1.51
0.99
9.16
0.17
0.18
0.01
0.00
0.27
0.26
8.15
0.06
0.00
7.99
4.34
0.00
0.01
0.00
0.10
1.20
0.00
2.58
0.68
2.35

2’360
10’943507
17’554371’217332
1’047’000
186
65
58
12’819645
37’061
938
76’563346
8’946
47’884689
10’372
15
6’102
138

76’384245’898435
27’50930’902
51
211
177
3’217
749
275’799
3’063
27’563
272
135
2’326
56’34840
81
90’481
1’099
21
310
4
9’671
7’931
91
4’088
1’074

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

2’807
087’910378’000

1’939
126
5’208
23’26887
4’556

125’812

10’599
8’003
13
5
793
10

417

605
4’518

20’108

3’367
13
395
1’559

87

Statistics › Crops › Cereals
Country/Territory

Organic area[ha]

Organic share [%]Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]Pakistan
Palestine
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Republic of Korea
Réunion (France)
Romania
RussiaSaudi Arabia
SenegalSerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
SwedenSwitzerland
TaiwanTajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited ArabEmirates
United Kingdom
United States ofAmerica
Uruguay
Viet Nam
ZambiaZimbabwe
World

38’71972
28’27976
148’394
5’206
1’686
0.3
130’930212’824
781
268
4’140
23’211
2’568
1’868
241’91365
128’737
15’972
3’394
1’569
122’294
1’444
725
80’316335
160’194
0.3

0.26
0.29
2.36
0.00
2.14
2.41
0.21
0.00
2.33
0.49
0.33
0.01
0.23
1.82
1.63
0.05
3.99
0.01
13.13
10.91
1.30
0.42
0.96
0.12
0.06
0.75
0.02
1.02
0.03

38’58172
16’67176
113’980
4’689

138

46’600290’256

1.46
0.53

43’200290’256

3’400

748
4’862
213
1

0.10
0.06
0.01
0.00

170
3’485
213
1

578
1’378

5’480’988

0.74

3’733’674

841’095

0.15
93’131
15’496
631
268
2’787
19’623
2’261
1’862
187’74765
118’906

11’60834’414517
0.15
37’926
3’146
150
1’353
3’587
307
6
11’724
0
9’831

3’394
372
1’444
725
61’14579
128’32048

19’171
21’696
0.3

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
Blank cells: No data available

88

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Citrus Fruit› Citrus fruit
In 2021, over 115’000 hectares or 1.1 percent of the global citrus fruit area was underorganic management.

Figure 30: Citrus fruit: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

89

Statistics › Crops › Citrus Fruit

Figure 31: Citrus fruit: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

90

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Statistics › Crops › Citrus Fruit
Table 28: Citrus fruit: Organic area by country 2021
Country
Albania
Argentina
Benin
Bolivia
BrazilBurkina Faso
Chile
China
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
CyprusDominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
FranceFrench Guiana(France)
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaHonduras
Iran
IsraelItaly
JordanLebanonMadagascar
Malta
Martinique (France)
MexicoMorocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Palestine
Paraguay
Peru
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Réunion (France)
SenegalSouth Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Togo
Tunisia
Türkiye
United ArabEmirates
USA
World

Organic area[ha]

Organic share [%]

1
2’173
1
0.1
386
88
199
13’0006
7
18
86
11’498
514
1’303
661
47

0.04
1.84
0.01
0.00
0.06
36.67
0.76
0.43
0.02
0.06
0.86
2.83
23.92
1.42
0.68
14.12
0.00

1’047
2’239
0.05
6
224
27
21
247
26’718
13
27
21
0.14
4
17’289
3’777
6
106
1
993
226
392
60
81
1
695
23’999
18
3
180
790
0.28

4.19
4.91
0.01
0.00
0.94
0.25
0.02
1.42
18.41
0.19
0.24
0.13
0.00
0.00
2.62
2.89
0.02
0.44
0.05
8.74
0.27
1.82
0.27
0.00
0.02
0.71
8.05
0.11
0.08
0.36
0.45
0.06

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]
1

2’173
1
0.1
326
88
199
7’000
6
7
18
73
11’498
503
1’303
409
24
1’047
1’199
0.05
5
224
27
21
229
26’71825
21
0.14
4
17’289
3’294
6
57
1
802
102
325
67
1
617
14’715
18
3
180
360
0.18

5’403

1.99

5’403

114’600

1.12

96’386

0
59

6’000

8
13
11
252
23

1’040
1

18

3

0
483
49
192
124
67
14
78
6’259

430
0.1

15’125

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338. Blank cells: No data available.
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

91

Statistics › Crops › Cocoa› Cocoa beans
In 2021, almost 470’000 hectares or 4.0 percent of the global cocoa area was underorganic management.

Figure 32: Cocoa: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

92

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Cocoa

Figure 33: Cocoa: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

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93

Statistics › Crops › Cocoa
Table 29: Cocoa: Organic area by country 2021
Organic area[ha]Country
BelizeBolivia
BrazilCameroon
Colombia
Congo D.R.
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
French Guiana (France)
Ghana
GrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
Haiti
Honduras
Indonesia
Liberia
Madagascar
Martinique (France)
MayotteMexicoNicaragua
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Réunion (France)
Saint Lucia
Sao Tome and Principe
Sierra Leone
Tanzania
Togo
UgandaViet Nam
World

676
3’527
1’259
525
150
61’087
1’361
5’476
2’907
67’0865’148
816’448
88
3
1’955
1’954
325
2’791
5’847
54
1
9’086
3’515
1’935
80’887
49
10
25
7’087
161’767
15’244
1’640
9’732
6
469’659

Organic share
[%]
NA
34.13
0.21
0.07
0.08
NA
22.13
0.13
30.41
51.11
0.95
0.00
1.13
8.92
0.00
47.75
35.91
0.02
3.00
47.30
0.00
0.00
17.49
26.27
1.80
43.76
0.16
0.00
NA
23.04
NA
77.66
22.16
12.21
0.15
4.0

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]

676
3’527
744
466
150
61’087
1’361
5’468
2’907
54’2134’144
616’448
88
3
1’955
1’567
325
2’791
5’847
39
0
9’086
2’694
56’984
49
3
25
7’087
161’767
15’244
1’631
9’729
6
428’118515
59

912’873
1’004
2

0
387
0
15
1
821
23’90370
939’603

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338, Blank cells: No data available.
For more information on cocoa production (organic and other Voluntary Sustainability Standards - VSS),
please see the report “The State of Sustainable Markets – Statistics and Emerging Trends 2021.”1

Willer, H. et al. (2023) (Eds.) The State of Sustainable Markets 2022: Statistics and Emerging Trends. ITC,
Geneva. Available at: https://vss.fibl.org/.
For interactive online graphics see the Sustainability Map at: https://www.sustainabilitymap.org/trends
1

94

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Coffee› Coffee
In 2021, over 922’000 hectares or 8.1 percent of the global coffee area was under organic
management.

Figure 34: Coffee: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

95

Statistics › Crops › Coffee

Figure 35: Coffee: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

96

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Coffee
Table 30: Coffee: Organic area by country 2021
Country

Organic area [ha]Organic share [%]Bolivia
BrazilBurundiCameroon
China
Colombia
Congo D.R.
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
EcuadorEl Salvador
Ethiopia
Guadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaHonduras
Indonesia
JamaicaKenya
Lao
Madagascar
Martinique (France)
MexicoMyanmar
Nepal
Nicaragua
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Réunion (France)
RwandaSierra Leone
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
UgandaUnited States of America
Viet Nam

6’062
4’718
48
371
3’000
74’60026’705
460
198
2’332
2’371
226’3699
13’81343’15132’156
11
4’083
4’281
119
1
93’72567432
25’711
68’238
199’762
25
6
811
8’989
22’5691’267
32’311111
23’143
115
259

23.73
0.26
0.25
0.32
9.04
8.88
19.39
0.52
0.57
7.91
1.64
33.03
0.00
3.80
12.83
2.57
0.10
3.77
5.14
0.15
0.00
14.60
0.53
18.36
16.28

5’889
588
48
371
2’000
74’60026’704
460
198
1’776
2’271
192’1465
13’81343’01831’271
1
4’083
4’281
119
0
93’72567
2
24’055

43.93
0.02
0.00
4.45

140’285
25
6
811
8’989
22’515

0.28
3.34
3.93
0.04

32’311
111
3’021
115
139

120

World

922’3998.1

729’81964’564

8.44
2.66

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]
172
131

1’000
1

555
100
276
4
133
885

0

1’655
59’47700
54

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338. Blank cells: No data available. For more information on coffee production (organic andother Voluntary Sustainability Standards - VSS), please see the report “The State of Sustainable Markets – Statistics andEmerging Trends 2022.1

Willer et al. (2023) (Eds): The State of Sustainable Markets 2022: Statistics and Emerging Trends. ITC,
Geneva. Available at: https://vss.fibl.org. For interactive online graphics see the Sustainability Map at:https://www.sustainabilitymap.org/trends
1

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

97

Statistics › Crops › Dry Pulses› Dry pulses
In 2021, around 733’000 hectares or 0.8 percent of the global dry pulses area was underorganic management.

Figure 36: Dry Pulses: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. Online athttps://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

98

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Dry Pulses

Figure 37: Dry Pulses: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023 based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

99

Statistics › Crops › Dry Pulses
Table 31: Dry pulses: Organic area by country 2021
Country
Argentina
Austria
BelarusBelgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
CanadaChile
China
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
EcuadorEstonia
Ethiopia
FinlandFranceGermany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaHungary
Iran
IrelandIsraelItaly
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
LatviaLithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
MexicoMoldova
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
NorwayPakistan
Peru
PolandPortugal
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden100

Organic area [ha]Organic share [%]9’227
15’114
20
471
80
24
5’658
168
80’12167
19’50019
56
5’034
14’197
10
9’815
2’670
7’052
156’782
71’00049
23’008
7
3’787
34
155
12
47’747
3’906
215
1’650
9’255
22’015
81
244
8’483
1’713
13
7
276
366
3’216
25
37’843
1’793
64
6’152
54’228
187
2’263
66
174
39’60816’327

1.28
81.04
0.01
7.85
0.08
0.22
22.45
0.01
2.32
0.21
0.76
0.11
2.95
13.49
53.37
0.02
19.81
0.17
17.24
42.27
37.35
0.02
17.60
4.56
31.09
0.01
1.13
0.25
42.24
1.08
0.01
3.15
21.18
16.38
21.22
0.23
0.47
5.52
0.00
8.24
6.67
11.48
0.26
0.01
12.01
9.45
1.14
5.70
2.70
0.87
9.77
4.96
0.25
10.79
38.60

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]

9’227
20
406
80
24
5’658
168
80’12167
14’100
19
56
4’638
9’825
10
8’407
7’052
117’28849
15’900
7
3’356
34
72
12
47’747
3’906
215
8’552
18’826
81
244
8’483
1’257
6
7
264
3’216
10
25’819
1’740
4’615
5’628
187
1’682
59
174
32’70314’640

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

65

5’400
23
396
4’372
1’408

39’494

7’108
431
83

703
3’190

456
7
0
12

15
12’025
53
1’537
1’290
581
7
2’432
1’687

Statistics › Crops › Dry Pulses
Country
Switzerland
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited Arab Emirates
United States of America
Uzbekistan
ZambiaWorld

Organic area [ha]Organic share [%]1’574
11’32615
4’904
1
31’581
1’848
7

28.70
1.20
0.00
1.62
0.00
2.54
17.66
0.01

733’308

0.8

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]

6’266
15
1’854
1
31’5815’060

7496’380

87’834

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
Blank cells: No data available

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

101

Statistics › Crops › Temperate Fruit
Temperate Fruit
In 2021, around 302’000 hectares or 2.6 percent of the global temperate fruit area wasunder organic management.

Figure 38: Temperate fruit: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

102

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Temperate Fruit

Figure 39: Temperate Fruit: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

103

Statistics › Crops › Temperate Fruit
Table 32: Temperate fruit: Organic area by country 2021
Country

Organic area[ha]

Albania
Argentina
Austria
BelarusBelgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
CanadaChile
China
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
FinlandFranceFrench Guiana (France)
Germany
GreeceHungary
Iran
IrelandIsrael
Italy
Kyrgyzstan
LatviaLebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
MexicoMoldova
MoroccoNetherlands
NorwayPakistan
Peru
PolandPortugal
Republic of Korea
Réunion (France)
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
Tunisia
Türkiye

104

21
5’662
2’135
16
571
2
2
5’118
1’054
2’854
112’000
1’886
201
3’562
659
485
64
23’531
4
9’300
1’244
7’453
188
66
29
24’694
249
1’311
58
2
672
64
8
187
716
911
664
216
128
3
30’714
1’435
130
7
9’541
5
2’513
534
412
1’281
9’321
334
935
1’135
15’040Organic share [%]
0.14
7.87
25.15
0.03
3.30
0.02
0.00
18.23
4.75
2.42
1.89
14.87
12.72
26.25
27.69
74.62
8.89
23.60
0.00
18.87
1.23
11.71
0.06
9.30
0.35
12.38
0.57
30.49
0.19
0.00
5.07
49.43
0.07
0.17
0.73
0.89
3.84
9.58
0.11
0.02
14.93
3.61
0.19
0.00
7.15
0.00
1.75
8.97
6.94
1.90
4.97
20.37
13.46
1.93
2.93

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]
5
5’662

16
383
2
2
5’118
1’054
2’854
63’000
1’886
170
3’243
565
446
64
16’535
4

16

188
0

49’000
747
31
319
94
39
6’995
0

905
4’346
188
62
26
24’694

341
3’107

1’169
50
2
608
64
8
187
697
718
572

139
8

128
3
26’399
1’207

0

5
6’100
0
1’916
475
366
1’281
6’459
285
1’135
9’472

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

4
3

64

19
193
92

4’314
228
2
3’441
4
597
59
45
1’717
49

5’568

Statistics › Crops › Temperate FruitCountry
UgandaUkraineUSA
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
World

Organic area[ha]

Organic share [%]Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]4
1’218
18’130
153
1’000

0.00
0.77
7.57
0.07
64.10

1’148
18’130
153
1’000

70

301’829

2.6

211’397

77’492

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
Blank cells: No data available.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

105

Statistics › Crops › Tropical and Subtropical Fruit› Fruit: Tropical and subtropical fruit
In 2021, around 330’000 hectares or 1.1 percent of the global tropical and subtropicalfruit area was under organic management.

Figure 40: Tropical and subtropical fruit: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

106

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Tropical and Subtropical Fruit

Figure 41: Tropical and subtropical fruit: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

107

Statistics › Crops › Tropical and Subtropical Fruit
Table 33: Tropical and subtropical fruit: Organic area by country 2021
Country/Territory
Algeria
Argentina
Azerbaijan
Benin
Bolivia
BrazilBulgaria
Burkina Faso
BurundiCameroon
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo D.R.
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
CyprusDominican Republic
EcuadorEgypt
El Salvador
Ethiopia
FranceFrench Guiana (France)
French Polynesia
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaHonduras
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republicof)IsraelItaly
JordanKenya
KuwaitLebanonMadagascar
Mali
Martinique (France)
Mauritius
MayotteMexicoMoroccoMozambique
Nicaragua
Pakistan
Palestine
Peru
Philippines
Portugal

108

Organic area [ha]Organic share [%]

564
303
450
7
2
349
37
13’930
140
555
231
3’000
7’305
7
15
4’762
3’235
56
181
35’341
23’4911’802
25
63’655
1’348
321
18
1’173
1’199
19
343
2’221
179
19
580

0.27
3.05
3.31
0.05
0.00
0.03
92.48
74.40
0.08
0.14
0.58
0.05
1.21
0.00
13.70
4.53
0.34
9.82
21.29
24.76
7.43
0.66
0.57
42.22
6.87
0.00
3.94
0.26
7.19
0.95
0.00
1.84
1.00
0.00
0.20

1’059
9’380
167
15’818
11
110
7’976
1’922
248
2
9
25’667
791
807
1’375
2’454
11
18’53824’554
1’185

2.90
23.98
3.37
8.93
0.31
2.39
3.58
1.51
0.00
0.26
0.00
4.15
0.51
0.70
6.05
0.59
0.76
5.89
2.23
8.00

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]

564
303
7
2
349
37
3’042
140
551
231
1’000
7’305
7
15
4’762
3’216
56
143
34’41519’4841’802
25
63’655
866
293
18
1’173
745
19
170
2’221
179
19
569
898
9’380
15’818
11
83
7’975
1’922
179
2
2
25’667
632
807
1’363
2’454
5
13’73023’617964

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

0
0
8
4
2’000

19
181
38
926
4’008

482
28

454
174
0
11
161

27
0
69
7
159
12
6
4’808
938
221

Statistics › Crops › Tropical and Subtropical FruitCountry/Territory
Réunion (France)
RwandaSaudi Arabia
SenegalSlovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
TaiwanTanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUnited Arab Emirates
USA
Viet Nam
Zimbabwe
World

0.00
0.05
4.05
3.74
26.00
3.98
11.17
0.09
3.79
2.12
0.08
21.28
6.51
24.40
0.06
0.00
13.49
0.22
0.12

Area fully
converted [ha]
325
139
4’818
846
32
1’549
4’815
75
52
1’771
599
476
6’491
12’702
970
1
5’122
481
29

Area underconversion [ha]
117

1.1

294’190

22’625

Organic area [ha]Organic share [%]

442
139
6’463
846
52
1’551
8’544
75
52
1’771
599
476
6’491
16’583
1’147
1
5’122
686
29
330’019

1’645
20
2
2’013

3’880
0
205

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

109

Statistics › Crops › Grapes› Grapes
In 2021, around 510’000 hectares or 7.5% of the global grape area was under organic
management.

Figure 42: Grapes: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

110

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Grapes

Figure 43: Grapes: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

111

Statistics › Crops › Grapes
Table 34: Grapes: Organic area by country 2021
Country

Organic area [ha]Organic area [%]Area fully converted[ha]Area underconversion [ha]Albania
Algeria
AndorraArgentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
CanadaChile
China
Croatia
CyprusCzechia
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
FranceGeorgia
Germany
GreeceHungary
IranIsraelItaly
JordanLebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
MexicoMoldova
Netherlands
Palestine
Peru
PolandPortugal
Rep. of Korea
Romania
RussianFederation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUSA
Uzbekistan

15
208
2
9’461
5’783
6’976
159
2’781
1’292
7’293
13’000
926
223
963
81
2’157
4
136’431777
12’500
4’881
1’955
191
71
103’576
10
656
4
7
68
7
3’382
84
14
0.15
171
227
5’339
70
2’401

0.14
0.33
0.00
4.48
4.30
15.11
32.45
9.68
10.53
3.61
2.24
4.32
3.28
5.96
0.00
2.53
0.00
17.97
1.03
12.41
4.68
3.28
0.13
0.64
14.71
0.33
9.60
0.00
0.00
5.51
1.64
11.01
0.07
8.24
0.00
0.48
25.22
3.04
0.52
1.37

1
208
2
9’461
888

14

59
2’781
1’292
7’293
10’000
926
213
759
46
2’157
4
79’154
491

100

0.1

0.00

0.1

41
266
766
2’764
142’177
9
2’244
9’984
106
27’444
86

0.20
1.72
2.54
2.41
15.26
11.25
16.58
2.46
0.31
7.50
0.08

41
139
534
2’041
105’035
86’010
727’444
65

3’974
99

World

510’0337.5

376’702

95’056

3’000
170
10
203
35

57’277
286

4’046
1’360
188
70
103’576

835
595
3
1

652
4
5
68
7
3’382
6
12
0.15
169
183
4’144

4

2
44
1’195

1’759

642

2

78
2

128
233
723
25’3781

22

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
Blank cells: Not data

112

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Oilseeds› Oilseeds
In 2021, almost 2’100’000 hectares or 0.8 percent of the global oilseeds area was underorganic management.

Figure 44: Oilseeds: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

113

Statistics › Crops › Oilseeds

Figure 45: Oilseeds: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

114

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Statistics › Crops › Oilseeds
Table 35: Oilseeds: Organic area by country 2021
Country
Albania
Argentina
Austria
BelarusBelgium
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
BurundiCambodia
Cameroon
CanadaChile
China
Congo D.R.
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Ethiopia
FinlandFranceGermany
Ghana
GreeceHungary
Iceland
India
Iran
IrelandIsraelItaly
Kazakhstan
Kenya
KosovoKyrgyzstan
LatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mali
MexicoMoldova
Mozambique
MyanmarNamibia
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Nigeria
NorwayOrganic area [ha]1
14’10550’442
194
254
9’853
28’971
29
6’388
5’640
361
1
2
76’316
2
576’500
600
6
8’967
3’498
3’503
404
1’740
11’17916’4944’196
128’978
33’200
8’282
3’099
13’3652
130’000
8
71724
29’86510’408
804
134
2’235
2’735
24
13’70818
12’44319’333
7’843
28’303
576
7
104
1’521
4’817
124

Organic area [%]
0.16
0.08
30.43
0.05
3.02
2.37
1.79
0.24
0.67
0.58
1.84
0.00
0.00
0.65
0.00
2.65
0.08
0.06
5.21
0.78
2.40
1.00
1.50
14.68
2.21
16.72
6.08
3.22
1.78
2.92
1.33
0.00
0.45
0.00
0.68
9.95
7.55
0.35
0.50
0.00
13.13
1.84
0.00
4.63
0.63
2.22
5.39
1.75
3.04
0.02
0.71
3.12
2.66
0.07
5.15

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]1

14’105
194
198
9’853
26’513
29
6’388
5’640
1
2
76’3162
469’900
600
6
8’967
2’727
2’305
283
1’740
10’960182
4’196
92’867
8’282
2’320
12’0882
859507
29’865
9’911
804
134
2’558
24
10’47318
12’44319’333
6’597
28’294
576
7
103
1’189
4’817

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

56
0
2’458

106’600

2’134
772
1’197
121
219

36’111

778
1’277

12
217
367

178
3’235

1’247
9
0
1
332

115

Statistics › Crops › Oilseeds
Country

Organic area [ha]OmanParaguay
Peru
PolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
SenegalSerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUSA
Uruguay
Venezuela
ZambiaWorld

Organic area [%]Area fully
converted [ha]

1
4’563
600
4’752
77
105’261304’621
117
2’120
5’120
364
3
13’400
9’805
1’943
2’716
5’391
111’680
2’894
10’559149’439
83’883
2’624
1’490
2’755

0.00
0.12
10.86
0.46
0.97
6.06
1.87
0.01
0.44
1.51
3.58
0.00
1.79
9.76
6.05
18.26
0.17
57.18
0.30
1.13
1.65
0.23
0.25
1.98
0.39

4
5’391
111’680
2’352
1’102
129’039
83’883
1’823
1’490
2’220

2’098’555

0.8

1’392’701

Area underconversion [ha]

1
4’513
525
2’494
77
84’13051’390
117
2’066
3’746
321
3
10’360
9’566

50
75
2’259
21’131
1’540
54
1’374
42
841
239
33

542
8’631
801
535
195’468

Source: FiBL survey 2023 based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338. Blank cells: no data. For more information on soybean production (organic and other
Voluntary Sustainability Standards - VSS), please see the report “The State of Sustainable Markets – Statistics andEmerging Trends 2022.”1

Willer et al. (Eds.) (2023) The State of Sustainable Markets 2022: Statistics and Emerging Trends. ITC,
Geneva Available at: https://vss.fibl.org/.
For interactive online graphics see the Sustainability Map at: https://www.sustainabilitymap.org/trends
1

116

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Statistics › Crops › Olives› Olives
In 2021, almost 903’000 hectares or 8.6 percent of the global olive area was under organic
management.

Figure 46: Olives: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

117

Statistics › Crops › Olives

Figure 47: Olives: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

118

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Statistics › Crops › Olives
Table 36: Olives: Organic area by country 2021
Country

Organic area[ha]

Organic area[%]

Area fully
converted [ha]Albania
Argentina
Chile
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Egypt
FranceGreeceIran
IsraelItaly
JordanLebanonMalta
MexicoMoroccoPalestine
Peru
PortugalSlovenia
South Africa
Spain
Tunisia
Türkiye
USA

95
8’255
956
3’000
1’643
1’586
1’103
6’425
56’507136766
208’212
356
266
13
292
2’926
4’870
106
26’552281
8
256’507
260’408
60’704
628

0.19
6.67
4.48
0.00
8.10
14.28
1.11
36.47
6.24
0.33
2.71
18.18
0.60
0.40
0.00
3.09
0.26
12.00
0.37
7.00
9.66
0.00
9.78
20.33
6.90
4.31

251
13
292
2’336
4’358
106
22’6902338
186’830
260’408
42’563628World902’601

8.6

789’773

Area underconversion [ha]

34
8’255
956
3’000
1’643
1’462
1’103
4’680
38’828133745
208’212

61

433
124
1’746
17’678
3
21

15

590
512
3’862
48
33’501
18’14076’733

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338
Blank cells: No data available.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

119

Statistics › Crops › Vegetables› Vegetables
In 2021, almost 446’000 hectares or 0.7 percent of the global vegetable area was underorganic management.

Figure 48: Vegetables: Distribution of organic area by crop group 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

120

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Statistics › Crops › Vegetables

Figure 49: Vegetables: Organic area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.
Online at https://statistics.fibl.org/visualisation.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

121

Statistics › Crops › Vegetables
Table 37: Vegetables: Organic area by country 2021
Country/Territory
Albania
Argentina
Australia
Austria
BelarusBelgium
Benin
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cameroon
CanadaChile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Ethiopia
FinlandFranceFrench Guiana (France)
French Polynesia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
Honduras
Hungary
IcelandIndonesia
Iran
Iraq
IrelandIsraelItaly
JordanKenya
KuwaitKyrgyzstan
LatviaLebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malta

122

Organic area [ha]
14
1’694
3’902
5’570
7
3’078
5
9
1’227
1
3
6’473
911
49’000
780
88
1
180
69
243
4’492
534
25’796254
14995
36’30530
25
18’518
0
2’866
4
120
39
4’372
7
12
23
53
301
585
49’201
16
9’394
11
32
536
47
9
421
75
99
161
4

Organic area [%]
0.04
1.00
5.57
30.52
0.01
4.48
0.00
0.01
4.82
0.00
0.00
9.15
1.61
0.20
0.68
0.74
0.00
2.13
2.61
2.12
37.53
0.62
4.18
12.33
0.00
8.10
13.55
0.00
2.09
15.05
0.00
3.91
0.31
0.00
0.20
5.14
10.78
0.00
0.01
0.03
6.73
0.76
11.89
0.05
2.32
0.21
0.03
6.46
0.16
0.00
3.37
41.44
0.16
0.23
0.35

Area fully
converted [ha]Area underconversion [ha]

14
1’694
3’902
7
2’914
5
9
1’227
1
3
6’473
911
26’200
780
88
1
180
47
194
4’308
533
25’796223
14995
32’831
27
25
0
1’914
4
83
39
3’521
7
12
23
204
540
49’2010165
022’800

60
22
49
186
1
31

3’474
3

952
37
0
851

97
45

9’394
11
466
47
9
246
75
99
161
4

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

70
1
175

Statistics › Crops › Vegetables
Country/Territory
Martinique (France)
Mauritius
MayotteMexicoMoldova
Mongolia
MoroccoMyanmarNamibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Nigeria
NorwayOman
Palestine
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Republic of Korea
Réunion (France)
Romania
Russian Federation
RwandaSaudi Arabia
SenegalSerbiaSingapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
SwedenSwitzerland
TaiwanTajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tonga
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Viet Nam
ZambiaZimbabwe
World

Organic area [ha]Organic area [%]Area fully
converted [ha]83153
24’432
155
188
605
50
7
216
10’405
457
50
429
2
1
417
10
28’473
3’991
310
317
1’042
4’392
30
660
126
106
15
799
308
744
26’336
121
2’201
3’214
3’742
23
1’075
1’829
108
201
9’454
318
299
65
9’800
77’673
10
1’896
13
29

0.00
0.03
0.00
3.63
0.40
1.72
0.39
0.01
0.01
0.05
10.65
5.98
0.00
5.35
0.01
0.01
0.19
0.00
18.87
6.74
0.13
0.00
0.76
0.81
0.03
0.87
0.08
0.15
1.10
7.82
3.18
0.75
6.91
0.07
14.95
22.70
2.76
0.03
0.25
0.34
1.46
0.12
1.03
0.20
0.06
0.83
5.75
11.30
0.14
0.16
0.01
0.07

70
1
48
24’432
154

445’884

0.7

365’493

Area underconversion [ha]

589
50
7
109
10’295
457
50
2
1
87
10
23’526
3’643
285
713
2’466
30
480
126
97
15
499
274
666
20’774
121
2’174

13
6
0
187
16
0
110

329
4’947
348
32
329
104
180
9
300
35
78
1’785
27

3’742
19
1’075
108
201
3’812
216
270
6
8’900
77’673
6
1’651
13
29

4

5’641
8
58
1’000
4
244

44’815

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338338

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

123

Organic Cotton

Organic Cotton
TEXTILE EXCHANGE1
Before using the data presented in this chapter, Textile Exchange requests that you
please read the scope and disclaimer and data confidence pages of the 2022 Organic
Cotton Market Report in which this data was originally published. The data shared
are best-available estimates at the time of reporting.2

2020/21 global organic cotton production summary
Based on our estimates, the 2020/21 global harvest saw 342’265 tonnes of organic cotton
fibre produced on 621’691 hectares of certified organic land, and 180’726 tonnes of inconversion cotton fibre produced on 293’204 hectares of land in-conversion to organic.
Compared to 2019/20, this represents an estimated 37 percent growth in organic cotton
fibre.
With overall cotton production reported by the International Cotton Advisory
Committee (ICAC) in 2020/21 totalling 24’380’507 tonnes; this means that 1.4 percent of
all cotton grown is estimated to have been organic.

The line-up
The total number of countries growing certified organic cotton in 2020/21 remained at
21, but there were some changes in the line-up compared to 2019/20. The projects in
Thailand, Myanmar, and Senegal didn’t produce any certified organic cotton in 2020/21
due to flooding, political instability, and certification issues. However, two new
countries – Spain and Kazakhstan – grew organic cotton for the first time, andArgentina came back into certification.

Countries fuelling the growth
The biggest contributor by far to the global growth seen in 2020/21 was Turkey,
followed by Kazakhstan, Tanzania, and India. Together, these four countries accounted
for 94.2 percent of the global increase. Other significant contributors, which each saw

This article draws from the 2022 Organic Cotton Market Report produced by Textile Exchange. Report
production: Lisa Barsley and Sophia Opperskalski; Data analytics: Suet Yin Siew, Evonne Tan, Max Tan; Data
collection: Amish Gosai (Southern & Southeastern Asia), Sandra Marquardt (Northern America), Silvio
Moraes (Latin America & the Caribbean), Ömür Suner (EMENA, Central & Western Asia), Silvère Tovignan,
Lazare Yombi, and Leonard Mtama (Sub-Saharan Africa), and Jun Zhao (Eastern Asia). The full 2022 Organic
Cotton Market Report is available here: https://textileexchange.org/organic-cotton-market-report/
2 Before using this data, Textile Exchange requests that you please read the scope and disclaimer (page 5) anddata confidence (page 7) of the associated 2022 Organic Cotton Market Report in which this data wasoriginally published. The data shared were best-available estimates at the time of reporting, however, due tosignificant data gaps for some countries including India, certain data points were based on modelling andassumptions (pages 54-59). The full 2022 Organic Cotton Market Report is available here:
https://textileexchange.org/organic-cotton-market-report/
1

124

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Organic Cotton
their production totals grow by between 1’000 and 3’000 tonnes, were Tajikistan, China,
and Kyrgyzstan. Please read the individual country pages in the full Organic CottonMarket Report to learn more about each country’s production trends.

Figure 50: Development of organic cotton fibre production1
Source: Textile Exchange

Top producers of organic cotton by volume
An estimated 97 percent of global organic cotton was produced by just eight countries
in 2020/21:-India (38 percent), Turkey (24 percent), China (10 percent), Kyrgyzstan (9percent), Tanzania (6 percent), Kazakhstan (4 percent), Tajikistan (4 percent), and theUS (2 percent). The remaining 13 organic cotton-producing countries2 accounted for 3
percent.

Top producers of in-conversion cotton by volume
In terms of in-conversion cotton, India accounted for the vast majority (86 percent) in
2020/21, while Tajikistan accounted for 7 percent, Turkey for 4 percent, Pakistan for 2
percent, Kyrgyzstan for 1 percent, and eight countries for the remaining 1 percent.

In-conversion cotton was grown prior to 2020/21 but only 2020/21 in-conversion data has been included inthis chart.
2 Includes: Uganda (0.7 percent); Pakistan (0.6 percent); Benin (0.6 percent); Greece (0.5 percent); Peru (0.2
percent); Burkina Faso (0.2 percent); Uzbekistan (0.1 percent); Egypt (0.1 percent); Brazil (0.02 percent); Mali
(0.02 percent); Ethiopia (0.02 percent); Spain (0.01 percent); and Argentina (0.001 percent).
1

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

125

Organic Cotton
Global trends and outlook
This is the fifth year in a row that global organic cotton production has increased. The
rapid growth in demand for organic cotton has no doubt played a pivotal role in thisgrowth, with prices reaching an all-time high. This encourages both existing organic
farmers to grow a higher proportion of cotton, and previously non-organic farmers toconvert to organic production methods.

Due to these same trends, we expect to see global organic cotton production risefurther in 2021/22.
Regional trends
The EMENA1, Central & Western Asia region accounted for the biggest share of the
global volume growth seen in 2020/21, with production rising 116 percent, primarily aresult of considerable growth in Turkey. Sub-Saharan Africa saw the second biggest
volume growth, with production rising 44 percent, due primarily to growth in
Tanzania. In Eastern Asia (China) production grew 10 percent and in Southern andSoutheastern Asia production grew an estimated 5 percent, while Latin America andthe Caribbean saw a decline of 9 percent and Northern America (the US) saw a declineof 16 percent. Please read the individual country pages of the full Organic CottonMarket Report to find out the reasons behind these trends.

Further reading
Textile Exchange (2022): Organic Cotton Market Report 2022. The Textile Exchange, Texas. Available athttps://textileexchange.org/knowledge-center/reports/organic-cotton-market-report/

Note on Table 38
Before using the data in this table, Textile Exchange requests that you please read the scope anddisclaimer (page 5) and data confidence (page 7) of the associated 2022 Organic Cotton Market Reportin which this data was originally published. The data shared were best-available estimates at the timeof reporting but were based on modeling and assumptions due to significant data gaps. We therefore
have a low level of confidence in some of the data. See full report for full details.
The land area figures in this table refer to total land certified to an organic standard by a producergroup growing organic cotton. The same piece of land could be used to grow other organic crops aspart of a rotation system, a fundamental element of organic agriculture. This means that reported landarea figures do not necessarily reflect solely the land area used to grow organic cotton and may, as aresult, seem disproportionately high in some cases compared to the organic cotton volumes harvested.
The same applies to in-conversion land that may or may not be used to grow organic cotton upon fullcertification.

1

EMENA = Europe, Middle East and North Africa

126

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Latin America & the Caribbean
Sub-Saharan Africa
Latin America & the Caribbean
Sub-Saharan Africa
Eastern Asia
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
Southern & Southeastern Asia
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Southern & Southeastern Asia
Latin America & the Caribbean
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Northern America
EMENA, Central & Western Asia
Global total

Argentina
Benin
BrazilBurkina Faso
China
Egypt
Ethiopia
GreeceIndia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Mali
PakistanPeru
Spain
Tajikistan
Tanzania
TurkeyUgandaUnited States
Uzbekistan
Global total

5
8’973
14’848
4’035
15’904
404
174
3’370
499’2138’865
24’307
1’486
8’922
1’445
62
17’795235’992
47’864
7’940
12’154
1’138
914’896

Organic andin-conversion
land (hectares)
5
8’199
14’591
4’035
15’727
404
174
2’284
230’125
8’865
21’423
1’486
3’098
1’086
54
9’806
235’992
43’3297’940
12’035
1’035
621’691

Organic
certifiedland (hectares)-------------------- Land area --------------------FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Source: Textile Exchange Organic Cotton Market Report 2022

RegionCountry

Source: Textile Exchange Organic Cotton Market Report 2022

Table 38: Organic and in-conversion land area and fibre production 2020/2021

127

774
257
178
1’087
269’089
2’883
5’824
359
8
7’990
4’535
118
103
293’204

In-conversion
land (hectares)

2
2’132
99
647
33’911437
60
2’696
283’853
14’89332’401
63
5’541
876
30
25’50120’932
89’818
2’551
5’878
670
522’991

Organic andin-conversion
cotton fibre(tonnes)

2
1’893
70
647
33’687437
60
1’827
130’849
14’89330’945
63
1’925
694
26
13’64820’932
80’830
2’551
5’821
465
342’265

Organic cotton
fibre (tonnes)

239
28
225
869
153’004
1’456
3’617
182
4
11’852
8’988
57
205
180’726

In-conversion
cottonfibre (tonnes)-------------------- Cotton fibre --------------------

Organic Cotton

Statistics › Organic Palm Oil

Organic Palm Oil
THOMAS BERNET1 & PAUL VAN DEN BERGE2
The image problem of palm oil impacting organic development
In the last 20 years, global palm oil production has drastically increased. Although theoil palm is native to the African continent, it has seen far-reaching expansion, especiallyin Asia, with Indonesia and Malaysia producing more than 80 percent of all palm oil
produced today. This fast expansion has been triggered mainly by big companies
establishing high-yielding input intensive monocultures in place, leading to a situation
where palm oil has become the cheapest vegetable oil available on the world market.
Yet, the expansion of oil palm monocultures has gone hand in hand with deforestation,
biodiversity losses, land tenure conflicts, and, in many cases, negative social impacts.
This has led to a critical view on palm oil among civil society organisations andconsumers and fuelled the development of specific certification schemes for palm oil
production. RSPO3 (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification has become themost relevant standard, with almost five million hectares being RSPO certified
worldwide.
Especially in countries with higher income levels, NGOs and media have been key inmaking consumers aware of the downsides of conventionally produced palm oil.
Overall, this negative image of palm oil among consumers has impacted the sourcing
strategies of retailers and food manufacturers. Many food processing companies, where
economically and technically feasible, have developed new formulas and processing
steps for their products to replace palm oil with other oils and fats — while
communicating this quite assertively with the claim ‘without palm oil’ to consumers.
At the same time, to not lose credibility among consumers, especially retailers targeting
upscale markets saw themselves somehow obliged to develop an explicit and proper
palm oil vision or strategy. For instance, Coop supermarkets in Switzerland issued in2018 its own “Coop Vision for Palm Oil”, implying that all its (conventional) own-label
food brands would either use organic (Bio Suisse4)-certified palm oil or completely
abandon palm oil as an ingredient. This strategy was actively communicated as part of

1 Dr Thomas Bernet, Group “Value Chains & Markets”, Department of International Cooperation, ResearchInstitute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org.
2 Paul van den Berge, Group “Value Chains & Markets”, Department of International Cooperation, ResearchInstitute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org.
3 Website of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil - RSPO: https://rspo.org/
4 Bio Suisse is the organic umbrella organisation in Switzerland. A total of 7’500 organic producers andorganic growers are members of Bio Suisse. In addition, more than 2’300 operations and producer groups
worldwide are certified according to the Bio Suisse standards. Their products appear on store shelves underthe Bio Suisse Organic label. For more information, see www.biosuisse.ch.

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Statistics › Organic Palm Oil
the retailer’s sustainability campaign “Actions not Words”1 and led to a Bio Suisse,organic and RSPO-certified smallholder-based palm oil sourcing project in Côte
d'Ivoire to cover its demand for organic palm oil for certain food categories. Thereby,
the project aims to optimise sustainability aspects with best practices that go beyond
organic certification criteria (e.g., biochar-enhanced compost recycling of all waste
products from the palm oil mill, effective use of cover crops, and diversification of
monocultures).
As a means to ensure that organic palm oil production effectively contributes tosustainability, different label organisations have also reviewed their certification
criteria and procedures in recent years. For instance, Bio Suisse has issued new, stricter
palm oil certification criteria, making RSPO or an equivalent certification scheme (e.g.,“Fair for Life”) compulsory to better cover relevant social aspects. Additionally, othercriteria were introduced to promote smallholder empowerment, improved organic
fertilisation and measures to enhance production system biodiversity. The decisionmaking process within Bio Suisse was inspired by a FiBL study assessing thesustainability impact of organic versus various conventional palm oil production
schemes (Bernet and van den Berge 2019).

Demand for organic palm oil mainly by the food industry
While conventional palm oil, for its low cost, is also widely used as an ingredient fordifferent non-food industries (e.g., detergents, cosmetics, biofuel), organic palm oil isprimarily used in the food industry producing organically certified consumer products.
Especially palm stearin (the solid palm oil fraction) is strongly demanded. Due to its
odour-free nature, palm stearin has a wide variety of applications, such as margarine,
pastries, dairy products, confectionery products and others. Depending on theapplication, it can also be functionally mixed with liquid palm oil fractions to obtain therequired consistency, e.g., for spreads or creams. This applies to both food and cosmetic
products.
Compared to other vegetable fats and oils, organic palm oil is a convenient ingredientfor the food industry, being relatively inexpensive and versatile. Thus, it is rather the
scepticism of consumers towards this ingredient—or the pressure from traders or
retailers to offer only palm oil-free products—that leads to the use of competing oils
and fats where feasible. The downside of this substitution is that alternative oils andfats are more expensive and require the area to grow (Batlogg and Bernet 2018).

Market and trade situation
Besides the general image problem of palm oil, price is a relevant factor in the market
demand for organic palm oil. In this regard, producing countries of organic palm oilcompete at the level of production costs, whereby the cost level for importers mainly
relates to two aspects: the purchasing price of the organic palm oil, mainly defined by“Sustainable palm oil” at the Coop website “Action, not words”. For more information, see
https://www.actions-not-words.ch/en/sustainability-topics/agriculture-and-processing/raw-materials/palmoil.html
1

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Statistics › Organic Palm Oil
the production costs involved, and import tariffs. Production costs are very muchcontext-specific, greatly depending on the operational setup of the oil mill and thequality of the involved plantations and outgrower schemes, plus the practices to ensure
good production of oil palm fruits and the logistical services to guarantee their timely
collection and processing. All in all, high processing volumes, high extraction rates,
good year-round use of the mill’s capacity and good oil palm yields are all factors thatfavour low production costs. In contrast, import tariffs are country specific. As
importing countries tend to protect their own industries, fairly high import tariffs apply
for palm oil, except for those countries that benefit from the Least Development
Country (LDC) status or those with bilateral trade agreements, where no import duties
apply.

Figure 51: Organic palm oil exports to the European Union
Source: European Commission/Traces 2022

In fact, the LDC status is a critical competitiveness factor and explains why, for instance,
Côte d’Ivoire, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Madagascar have become
organic palm oil producing and exporting countries (Figure 51). They compete withcountries that have a more developed palm oil sector, i.e., Colombia, Brazil andEcuador, with higher hectare yields and better infrastructure and thus lower unit costs,
but where importers face import taxes. Ghana is a special case; the private sector
investments among social entrepreneurs laid the basis for the production and export of
double-certified organic and “Fair for Life” palm oil originating exclusively fromsmallholder production schemes.

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Statistics › Organic Palm Oil
Market development trend and outlook
The European Union’s export statistics for recent years show that export volumes oforganic palm oil did not change much over the period 2018-2021 (Figure 52). It seems
that, on the one hand, the growing number of processed organic food products
increases demand; however, on the other hand, demand is partly reduced as palm oil
tends to be substituted with other vegetable oils in different food categories.

Figure 52: Organic palm oil exports to the European Union
Source: European Commission/Traces 2022

As a continuous expansion of conventional palm oil is expected at the global level,targeting especially countries with lower incomes, the “palm oil debate” is likely tocontinue, and consequently, the discussions and efforts to promote and ensure theproduction of “truly sustainable” palm oil. In countries where this debate is moreadvanced, consumers will be increasingly aware that private organic standards help
ensure that palm oil is produced in contexts and ways that are favourable for having
positive environmental and social impacts. This increased consumer awareness is likely
to put additional pressure on both certification bodies and the private sector, especiallyretail, to increasingly ensure that the palm oil certified and used guarantees
sustainability.
Moreover, driven by the interest in this topic, we must expect that both media andresearch will remain very active in fuelling this debate with scientific and consumeroriented articles — even more so as biodiversity, climate change and deforestation willremain key concerns for all: consumers, policymakers and the private sector. As these
topics will also more strongly influence the palm oil debate, we anticipate interesting
new investments and innovations in the field of agroforestry, aiming to diversify palm

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Statistics › Organic Palm Oil
oil plantations with other plant species to diversify the production system and thus
enhance biodiversity and CO2 sequestration.
Regarding consumer and private-sector demands to ensure that organic palm oil
production is sustainable, well-established partnerships and joint investments between
palm oil producers and importers are likely to become more important. Especially inventures involving a high number of smallholders, a strong local partner running theoil mill and engaging with smallholders will be a critical success factor for organic palm
oil production.
To what extent the market for organic palm oil will expand is difficult to anticipate. As
the negative implications of conventional palm oil production are obvious and remain
valid in the coming years, the negative image of palm oil will continue hampering the
growth in demand for organic palm oil. Here, bigger supermarket chains’ position andcommunication efforts towards using organic palm oil in manufactured food products
will strongly impact demand (see the example of Coop Switzerland). At the same time,the volume of organic palm oil is likely to increase as conventional palm oil producers
are increasingly under price pressure and may shift towards organic cultivation to fetch
higher market prices. Yet, the success of such ventures will depend on having thebuyers committed to engaging in such new business partnerships.

Acknowledgement
This article was elaborated in the framework of the two projects “Organic Palm Oil fromAfrica – Bio Suisse certified palm oil from small-scale farmers in Ivory Coast” and“Climate friendly organic palm and coconut oil production in the tropics” being
implemented by FiBL Switzerland in collaboration with a strong local partner. Bothprojects are funded by Coop Switzerland.

References and further reading
Batlogg, Verena und Bernet, Thomas (2018) Flächenerträge von Schweizer Rapsöl und Palmöl im Vergleich. Forschungsinstitut fürbiologischen Landbau (FiBL), CH-Frick. Available at https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/33773/
Bernet, Thomas und van den Berge, Paul (2019) Organic and Fair Palm Oil Production – Assessment Project. Research Institute ofOrganic Agriculture (FiBL), CH-Frick. Available at https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/35820/
European Commission (2022): EU imports of organic agri-food products. Key developments in 2021. EU Agricultural Market Briefs No
19, September 2022, available at https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/farming/facts-and-figures/performanceagricultural-policy/studies-and-reports/market-analyses-and-briefs_en#marketbriefs.
Meier, C.; Sampson, G.; Larrea, C.; Schlatter, B.; Voora, V.; Dang, D.; Bermudez, S.; Wozniak, J. and Willer, H. (2020) The State of
Sustainable Markets 2020: Statistics and Emerging Trends. International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva, Switzerland. Available athttps://orgprints.org/id/eprint/39273/

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EU Organic Imports

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133

Global Market

The Global Market for Organic Food & Drink
Amarjit Sahota1* This chapter has been prepared by Ecovia Intelligence (formerly known as Organic Monitor) from its
ongoing research on the Global Market for Organic Food & Drink. No part of this chapter may be
reproduced or used in other commercial publications without written consent from Ecovia Intelligence.2

1 Introduction
Growth in the global market for organic food & drink slowed in 2021. After reporting
record growth (17 billion US dollars3) in 2020, growth slowed to just 5 percent in 2021;
market revenues expanded by 6.4 billion to 135.5 billion US dollars4 (Figure 53).5

Figure 53: Growth in Global Market for Organic Food & Drink, 2001-2021
Source: Ecovia Intelligence

Amarjit Sahota is the Founder of Ecovia Intelligence (formerly Organic Monitor). Since 2001, ourorganisation has been tracking the global organic & related product industries. More details are on
www.ecoviaint.com
2 To request permission, write to: Ecovia Intelligence, 79 Western Road, London W5 5DT,
Tel. +44 20 8567 0788, E-mail: services@ecoviaint.com
3 In 2021, 1.1827 US dollars corresponded to 1 euro.
4 Approximately 115 billion euros, using the exchange rate of the Central European Bank for 2021.
5 Please note that there are some differences in organic food sales between the calculations of Ecovia
Intelligence and those of FiBL due to different methodologies.
1

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Market growth rates slowed as consumer buying habits returned to pre-pandemic
levels. The exceptionally high growth in 2020 was because of COVID-19 elevating
consumer interest in health & wellness issues. Organic foods were sought after as
consumers focused on disease avoidance and building personal immunity. Demand fororganic foods surged after the pandemic began in the spring of 2020.
Slower growth occurred in 2021, and there is expected to be lower growth in 2022.
Market conditions changed considerably this year. The Ukrainian conflict has led tofood inflation and weakening economic conditions, especially in Europe. This is having
a negative impact on the organic food market.

2. Global market overview
The international market for organic food & drink expanded by 5 percent to 135.5
billion US dollars in 2021. Market growth rates slowed in all geographic regions thisyear as consumer demand stabilised after a spike in 2020.
Figure 53 shows historic growth in the global organic products market. The market wasworth only a few billion dollars in the 1990s and reached 21 billion US dollars in 2001.
Revenues surpassed the 100 billion US dollar mark in 2018. Within three years, themarket size had reached 135 billion US dollars.
North America and Europe comprise most sales, with a combined 90 percent share.
Most growth, however, is coming from other regions, especially Asia. Organic foodmarkets are becoming important in countries such as China, India, and South Korea.

3. Major Trends
After two years of the coronavirus pandemic, 2022 brought more disruption. The
Ukrainian conflict is having an adverse impact on the organic food market; it has
increased inflation, slower economic growth, rising food prices and raised food security
concerns.

Rising food prices
According to the FAO (United Nations), global food prices have surged 65 percent since
the start of the pandemic. The Ukrainian conflict has negatively affected food supply
chains, as well as raising fertiliser prices and energy prices. Ukraine and Russia are twoof the world’s leading exporters of wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil. Combined,
they supplied 75 percent of global exports of sunflower oil and 30 percent of wheat.
Food prices increased by about 12 percent in 2022, having a negative effect on theorganic food sales. Rising food prices have made consumers more price sensitive;
demand for premium products, including organic foods, has been negatively affectedin Europe.

Food security
Inflation, especially rising food prices, are raising food security concerns. Many
countries are introducing protectionism measures as they look to improve foodsecurity. For example, Indonesia introduced a temporary ban on palm oil exports in
April 2022.
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Global Market
High food prices and food insecurity discourage many producers from converting toorganic farming methods. There is no incentive for farmers to convert if they alreadyget a high premium for conventional food products. Some governments are also
encouraging intensive farming methods as they look to raise output to feed their
populations.

Retailing trends
In Europe, conventional supermarkets are rationalising their organic product ranges.
Weakening economic conditions and inflationary pressure are making retailers reduce
premium product ranges. Many supermarkets in countries like France and the UK are
reducing their organic assortments.
Low-cost retailers, such as discounters, are benefiting the most in the current retail
environment. Consumers are trading down, buying more products from discountstores. Organic food sales are increasing from discounters in many countries.

Regulatory support
In the current economic climate, there is a greater need for regulatory support. Slowing
market growth rates and rising food prices are barriers to increasing organic foodproduction levels. For instance, the European Union has set a target of 25 percent
organic agriculture by 2030. In 2021, the share was just 9.6 percent. The European
market for organic products increased by just 3 percent in 2021; slower growth isenvisaged in 2022. If consumer demand for organic foods remains subdued, farmers
will need financial incentives to convert to organic practices.
The same is true for producers in other regions, especially North America, where there
are just 2 million hectares of organic farmland.

Conclusions
Geopolitical conflicts and rising food prices are having a negative impact on the globalorganic food market. After reporting record sales in 2020, market growth slowed to just
5 percent in 2021. Lower growth is projected in 2022 as consumer demand weakens;
inflation, especially high food prices, and food security concerns are affecting demandfor organic foods. The European market has been the most adversely affected.

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Imports of Organic Agri-food Products into theEuropean Union
Summary of the EU Agricultural Market Brief on EU Organic Imports 20211

This article is a summary of the European’s Commission’s Agricultural market brief“EU imports of organic agri-food products - Key developments in 2021” published by
the European Commission, DG Agriculture and Rural Development. It provides dataon EU imports of organic agri-food products in 2021 and highlights key developments
compared to 2020. Data on import volumes of organic products come from theCommission’s online management tool TRACES (TRAde Control and Expert System).
The import data are summarised in terms of origin and destination, as well as inproduct classes and categories. Finally, since the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation
Agreement (EU-UK TCA) was applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021, imports fromthe UK are accounted for only in 2021.

Figure 54: EU organic imports 2018-2021
Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022. Graph: FiBL

1

European Commission (2022): EU imports of organic agri-food products. Key developments in 2021. EU Agricultural Market Briefs No
19, September 2022, available at https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/farming/facts-and-figures/performanceagricultural-policy/studies-and-reports/market-analyses-and-briefs_en#marketbriefs.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn137

EU Organic Imports
Organic imports volumes up by 2.8 percent in 2021
− Total imports of organic agri-food products in the EU have increased from 2.79
million metric tons in 2020 to 2.87 million metric tons in 2021 (+2.8 percent).
− Data on imports from the UK are, however, not available for 2020 as it was defacto an EU Member State during the transition period following its departurefrom the EU on 31 January 2020. Excluding imports from the UK in 2021, EU
imports of organic products declined by 1 percent compared to 2020, to 2.76
million metric tons.

Commodities1 still top organic imports, but their share is shrinking− The EU remains a major importer of organic agri-food products, essentially productsthat have undergone no or very little transformation.
− The main imports in terms of volume were highly standardised products mostly
traded in bulk such as cereals, cocoa beans, coffee (commodities) as well as fruitand vegetables and meat (other primary products). Commodities and otherprimary products each accounted for 44 percent of total organic imports (Table 39,
Table 40, Table 41. Table 42, Table 43, Figure 55, Figure 56).
− Imports of commodities in terms of volume, however, have decreased by 5.3
percent to 1.27 million metric tons, mainly due to a trend of diminishing supply of
oilcakes from China, wheat from Ukraine and sugar from Brazil and India.
− On the other hand, imports of other primary products in terms of volume haveincreased by 5.7 percent to 1.25 million metric tons, mainly due to growth in the
demand for tropical fruit, and in particular bananas.
− Imports of tropical fruit – the largest product group – have increased by 7.0
percent to 903’000 metric tons, of which imports of bananas were up by 6.2 percent
to 721’000 metric tons.
− Imports of higher value products were significantly smaller, but nevertheless haveshown high growth rates: imports of processed products (mainly juices, olive oil)have increased by 7.0 percent to 212’000 metric tons. Imports of food preparations
and beverages more than doubled (+120 percent each) to 98’000 and 3’700 metrictons respectively.

The EU organic import data are grouped according to the following classes:› «Commodities» includes, among others: cereals, vegetable oils and oilseeds, sugars, milk powders and butter,unroasted coffee and cocoa.
› “Other primary" includes: meat products, F&V, milk yoghurt and honey.
› "Processed" includes: cheese, meat preparations, wine and fruit juices. "Food preparations" includes: infant
food, confectionary and pasta.
› "Beverages" includes: beers, spirits and soft drinks.
› "Non-edible" covers: plants and essential oils. Moreover, in its scope, the organic regulation covers also
products of the fishery sector, which are reported under "Fish and non-agri".
More details: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/food-farmingfisheries/farming/documents/agrifood-explanatory-note_en.pdf
1

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Figure 55: EU organic imports by country of origin 2021
Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022. Graph: FiBL

A quarter of imported olive oil was organic− Out of 186’000 metric tons of olive oil imported into the EU in 2021, 45’000 or 24.0
percent was organic and coming almost exclusively from Tunisia, up from 16.3
percent in 2020. The significant increase in share is the result of organic olive oil
showing a much smaller annual decline in imports (-5.6 percent) compared to nonorganic olive oil (-35.8 percent).
− Among the other products with a significant – and increasing – organic share in
2021 were tropical fruit (10.2 percent) and honey (7.9 percent). On the other hand,organic import shares for sugar (8.6 percent) and cocoa beans (4.5 percent)decreased. (Table 44, Table 45).

Exporters of tropical fruit top the list of main origins− The principal exporters of organic bananas – Ecuador and the Dominican Republic –are at the top of the exporters of organic products to the EU. Exports from thesecountries have increased by, respectively, 6.5 percent and 5.1 percent from 2020 to 2021
(Table 44, Figure 56).

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EU Organic Imports

Figure 56: Distribution of EU organic imports by product group and country of origin
2021
Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022; Figure: FiBL

− Since the application of the EU-UK TCA as of 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom
became the 8th main exporter of organic products to the EU (in volume), with108’000 metric tons. Organic imports from the UK cover a rather unique list of products,
ranging from dairy (100 percent of EU organic dairy imports) to pet food (98percent), beer (100 percent), poultry meat (100 percent), sheep and goat meat (81percent) and pig meat (62 percent).
− Out of the main origin countries, 2021 imports from India grew fastest (+18.1 percent,mainly in oilcakes), followed by Mexico (+10.8 percent, mainly juices and sugar
products). On the other hand, imports from China (-34.4 percent, oilcakes), andUkraine (-12.9 percent, wheat) decreased.

Over 50 percent of imports coming to the Netherlands andGermany
A third (945’000 metric tons) of total EU imports of organic products arrived in the
Netherlands (+10.2 percent vs 2020) and almost 20 percent (517’000 t) in Germany (+5.2
percent). Together, these two EU Member states gathered over half of the EU volumeof imported organic products in 2021.
The other top five importers, however, recorded declines. Belgium organic imports
decreased by 8.6 percent to 277’000 metric tons (less wheat and sugar), France by 1.1
percent to 272’000 metric tons (less sugar), and Italy by 4.7 percent to 225’000 metrictons (less vegetables and oilcakes).

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Imports into Ireland were significantly higher than the previous year (84’000 metrictons vs 62’000 metric tons), the growth being explained by the 51’000 metric tons
coming from the UK.
Table 39: Total agri-food import volumes by class, 2020 and 2021
2020
[1000 MT]

2021
[1000 MT]

Change[ percent]Commodities
Other primary
Processed products incl. Wine
Food preparations
Non-edible
Fish and other non-agri
Beverages

1’338
1’183
198
44
19
10
2

1’267
1’251
212
98
23
18
4

-5.3
5.7
7.0
120.1
22.6
87.2
120.4

Total

2’794

2’873

2.8

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

Table 40: Organic fruit and vegetable import volumes by product category, 2020 and
2021

Tropical fruit, fresh or dried, nuts andSpicesVegetables, fresh, chilled and dried
Fruit, fresh or dried, excl. citrus & tropicalfruit
Fruit juices
Preparations of vegetables, fruit or nuts
Citrus fruit
Total

2020
[1000 MT]

2021
[1000 MT]

Change
[%]

843

903

7.0

147

138

-6.5

132

143

8.1

76
56
37

85
62
36

11.3
10.9
-3.0

1’292

1’366

5.7

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

Table 41: Organic arable crops import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021

Oilcakes
Beet and cane sugar
Oilseeds, other than soybeans
Soybeans
Cereals, other than wheat and rice
Rice
Wheat
Sugar, other than beet & cane
Palm & palm kernel oils
Flours and other products of the milling Industry
Vegetable oils other than palm & olive oils
Starches, inulin & gluten
Total

2020
[1000 MT]

2021
[1000 MT]

Change
[%]

232
190
137
137
111
93
86
39
43
22
17
4

209
163
145
127
113
87
50
46
42
22
16
5

-9.9
-14.3
5.5
-7.6
1.5
-6.8
-41.4
19.4
-2.4
-3.0
-7.8
15.0

2’794

2’873

2.8

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn141

EU Organic Imports
Table 42: Organic permanent crops (excl. fruit) import volumes by product category,2020 and 2021
2020
[1000 MT]

2021
[1000 MT]

Change[%]Unroasted coffee, tea in bulk & maté
Cocoa beans
Olive oilWine, vermouth, cider and vinegar
Roasted coffee and tea
Coffee and tea extracts

138
76
47
17
2
0.3

145
77
45
17
3
0.3

4.6
1.2
-5.6
1.9
49.6
-6.4

Total

281

287

2.1

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

Table 43: Organic animal products import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021
2020
[MT]

2021
[MT]

Change[%]Eggs and honey
Milk powders and whey
Fresh milk products
Bovine meat
Non-edible animal products
CheeseButterPoultry meat
Sheep and goat meat
Pig meat
Offal, animal fat & other meats
Meat preparations

14’940
0
1
275
237
3
0
0
18
0
0
0

16’279
7’615
3’687
1’062
808
630
359
202
92
83
3
1

9.0
286
242
23’852
413
-

Total

15’47430’822

99.2

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

Table 44: Organic import volumes by exporting country, 2020 and 2021
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

142

Exporting countries

2020
[MT]

2021
[MT]

Change[%]Share in total
2021[%]

Ecuador
Dominican Republic
India
Peru
UkraineTurkeyChina
United Kingdom
Colombia
MexicoTogo
Tunisia
BrazilArgentina
Egypt
Honduras
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Cote D'Ivoire
Kazakhstan

324’071
252’293
174’311200’860
217’210155’741
227’669n/a
106’766
66’12754’017
58’51667’22556’36151’29241’80044’94237’16635’47540’692345’242265’075
205’928
203’577
189’239
154’938
149’283
107’951
105’199
73’26568’34155’71755’45255’25952’02046’26145’24444’52835’48135’012

6.5
5.1
18.1
1.4
-12.9
-0.5
-34.4
n/a
-1.5
10.8
26.5
-4.8
-17.5
-2.0
1.4
10.7
0.7
19.8
0.0
-14.0

12.0
9.2
7.2
7.1
6.6
5.4
5.2
3.8
3.7
2.6
2.4
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.2
1.2

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEU Organic Imports
Rank
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77

Exporting countries
CanadaSouth Africa
Chile
Paraguay
Philippines
Costa Rica
IsraelGhana
UgandaThailand
MoroccoMoldova, Republic Of
SerbiaBurkina Faso
New Zealand
Ethiopia
Sierra Leone
Russian Federation
Viet Nam
Bolivia
Congo, Democratic Republic Of
United States
Lao People's Democratic Rep.
Indonesia
Kenya
Benin
Cambodia
Madagascar
Nicaragua
Mozambique
Sudan
Sao Tome And Principe
Tanzania
Mali
Japan
Algeria
SenegalBosnia and Herzegovina
GuatemalaBelarus
Cuba
Albania
Australia
Iran, Islamic Republic Of
Uruguay
Papua New Guinea
UzbekistanAzerbaijan
Singapore
Palestinian Territory, Occupied
Nigeria
LesothoNiger
RwandaNorth Macedonia
Georgia
Kyrgyzstan

2020
[MT]
33’35027’86027’47532’22426’11511’93522’772
19’73023’31729’697
18’19722’321
15’77016’631
14’322
15’972
18’28831’97113’441
14’471
11’615
15’47514’945
9’231
9’466
7’877
9’861
6’796
5’309
4’209
4’611
2’970
3’908
3’768
3’522
2’156
2’400
1’540
2’309
1’536
1’214
1’825
1’678
1’873
878
1’536
918
1’553
541
866
320
489
580
684
345
591
632

2021
[MT]
30’61028’13927’90926’931
26’13624’342
23’982
23’44522’45220’07720’077
19’376
19’373
17’55817’31717’036
16’236
15’91915’267
12’986
12’55011’898
11’69210’802
9’565
7’708
7’661
6’947
6’869
5’311
4’997
4’888
4’744
4’736
4’503
2’907
2’891
2’762
2’675
2’459
2’444
1’970
1’714
1’641
1’409
1’388
1’257
1’228
877
861
831
793
700
663
654
653
645

Change
[%]
-8.2
1.0
1.6
-16.4
0.1
104.0
5.3
18.8
-3.7
-32.4
10.3
-13.2
22.8
5.6
20.9
6.7
-11.2
-50.2
13.6
-10.3
8.0
-23.1
-21.8
17.0
1.1
-2.1
-22.3
2.2
29.4
26.2
8.4
64.6
21.4
25.7
27.9
34.8
20.5
79.4
15.9
60.1
101.4
7.9
2.1
-12.4
60.6
-9.6
36.9
-20.9
62.1
-0.5
159.6
62.0
20.7
-3.0
89.6
10.5
2.1

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Share in total
2021[%]
1.1
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

143

EU Organic Imports
Rank

Exporting countries

78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126

Chad
KosovoPanamaMaldives
GuyanaGuinea-Bissau
Haiti
Zimbabwe
United Arab Emirates
Korea, Republic Of
Saudi Arabia
Nepal
Cameroon
El Salvador
Bangladesh
JordanArmenia
TaiwanMyanmarSurinameHong Kong
French Polynesia
BurundiSomalia
Samoa
Fiji
Comoros
Malaysia
GuineaBelizeSeychelles
Vanuatu
Djibouti
Montenegro
Namibia
LebanonAngolaSwitzerland
GrenadaZambia
Mauritius
New Caledonia
Botswana
MalawiEswatini
Dominica
Solomon Islands
Afghanistan
St. Pierre And Miquelon
Total

2020
[MT]
322
361
632
518
495
379
346
236
343
88
223
146
183
172
126
4
148
62
50
85
93
58
32
97
37
23
105
16
13
7
24
0
56
102
16
5
0
0
29
1
0
0
0
11
1
31
0
2

2021
[MT]
610
522
474
455
433
426
336
314
303
300
277
230
217
190
180
132
121
93
90
88
88
79
73
59
51
43
42
42
38
35
24
21
18
17
14
10
9
7
4
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Change
[%]
89.4
44.4
-25.0
-12.2
-12.6
12.5
-2.8
33.3
-11.7
239.4
24.2
57.3
18.9
10.2
43.1
3205.0
-18.4
50.4
81.7
3.5
n/a
-15.6
25.7
83.2
-47.8
15.3
80.3
-60.5
140.8
170.8
242.9
-12.5
n/a
-70.3
-86.7
-36.0
77.8
n/a
n/a
-95.7
-38.4
180.0
n/a
n/a
-100.0-100.0-100.0-100.0-100.02’794’103

2’872’948

2.8

Share in total
2021[%]
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

144

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Table 45: Organic import volumes by product category, 2020 and 2021
Rank

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Product categories

Tropical fruit, fresh or dried, nuts andSpices
Oilcakes
Beet and cane sugar
Vegetables, fresh, chilled and dried
Unroasted coffee, tea in bulk & maté
Oilseeds, other than soybeans
Fruit, fresh or dried, excl. citrus & tropicalfruit
Soybeans
Cereals, other than wheat and rice
Rice
Fruit juices
Cocoa beans
Preparations of vegetables, fruit or nuts
Wheat
Sugar, other than beet & cane
Olive oilPalm & palm kernel oils
Pet food
Food preparations, not specified
Citrus fruit
Flours and other products of the millingindustry
Bulbs, roots and live plants
Wine, vermouth, cider and vinegar
Eggs and honey
FISH
Vegetable oils other than palm & olive oils
Miscellaneous seeds and hop cones
Gums, resins and plant extracts
Soups and sauces
Milk powders and whey
Infant food and other cereals, flour, starchor milk preparations
Pasta, pastry, biscuits and bread
Starches, inulin & gluten
Fresh milk and cream, buttermilk andyoghurtWaters and soft drinks
Roasted coffee and tea
Cocoa paste and powder
OTHER NON AGRI
Other feed and feed ingredients
Essential oils
Bovine meat, fresh, chilled and frozen
Chocolate, confectionery and ice cream
Casein, other albuminoidal substances andmodified. starches
Non-edible animal products
Sugar alcohols
CheeseButterCoffee and tea extracts
Spirits and liqueurs
Ethanol

2020 imports

2021 imports

Change[%]Share in
total 2021[%]

843’237902’643

7.0

31.4

231’797
189’831
147’425
138’423137’102

208’867
162’694
137’855
144’733
144’691

-9.9
-14.3
-6.5
4.6
5.5

7.3
5.7
4.8
5.0
5.0

131’934

142’648

8.1

5.0

137’308
111’371
92’88776’052
76’02956’31985’717
38’81847’19643’461706
29’30436’734126’837
113’059
86’56484’632
76’91162’43550’22246’33244’57042’43639’00837’75835’631

-7.6
1.5
-6.8
11.3
1.2
10.9
-41.4
19.4
-5.6
-2.4
5’428.6
28.9
-3.0

4.4
3.9
3.0
2.9
2.7
1.7
2.2
1.6
1.5
1.6
1.2
1.3
0.8

22’29121’614-3.0

1.4

15’00816’992
14’940
8’064
17’336
8’344
7’258
5’745
0

18’14717’320
16’27916’187
15’98210’706
8’604
7’635
7’615

20.9
1.9
9.0
100.7
-7.8
28.3
18.5
32.9
n/a

0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2

4’886

6’878

40.8

0.2

3’159
4’499

5’226
5’174

65.4
15.0

0.2
0.3

1

3’687

302’594.9

0.1

1’478
1’876
1’971
1’729
2’222
1’561
275
300

3’313
2’807
2’632
2’147
1’725
1’705
1’062
965

124.2
49.6
33.6
24.2
-22.4
9.3
285.7
221.4

0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0

413

958

131.6

0.0

237
674
3
0
326
157
492

808
699
630
359
305
290
257

241.5
3.6
23’851.8
n/a
-6.4
85.6
-47.7

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn145

EU Organic Imports
Rank

Product categories

51
52
53

Poultry meat, fresh, chilled and frozen
Fatty acids and waxes
Beer
Sheep and goat meat, fresh, chilled andfrozenPig meat, fresh, chilled and frozen
Malt
Cut flowers and plants
Offal, animal fat & other meats, fresh,chilled and frozen
Meat preparations
Odoriferous substances

54
55
56
57
58
59
60

Total

2020 imports

2021 imports

Change[%]Share in
total 2021
[%]

0
149
0

202
142
98

n/a
-5.1
n/a

0.0
0.0
0.0

18

92

413.0

0.0

0
0
3

83
75
9

n/a
n/a
228.6

0.0
0.0
0.0

0

3

n/a

0.0

0
45

1
0

n/a
-99.8

0.0
0.0

2’794’103

2’872’948

2.8

Source: European Commission/TRACES 2022

146

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Standards and Regulations
Policy Support

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147

Regulations and Policies

Worldwide Overview of Regulations and Policies on
Agroecological Approaches Including Organic
Xhona Hysa1, Vladislav Zhmailo2 and Gábor Figeczky3
Special acknowledgement for their contribution to the research
Jim Pierce, The Pacific Community; Nicole Dehne, IFOAM North America; Janet Maro,
Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania; Mwatima Juma, Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania;
Eduardo Cerdá, National Director of Agroecology of Argentina; Nilda Cecilia Elizondo,
Grupo Académico de Agroecología, Mexico; Sundeep Kamath, IFOAM Asia, India;
Ashish Srivastava, Nature Bio Foods; India; Samuel Adimado; Niche Cocoa Sourcing
Limited, Ghana; Raed Saleh Almusaylim, Department of Organic Production, Saudi
Arabia; Emanuele Busacca; IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium; Martin
Sommer, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium

Introduction
A growing number of governments worldwide support the development ofagroecological policies by designing new initiatives and programmes that help achieve
the goals set earlier. Regarding regulations, significant changes happened only in theEuropean Union, North America and the Pacific region. This reflects the gradual shift
in government approaches worldwide. With most significant markets alreadyregulated, the focus is shifting from national organic standards towards organic
supportive strategies and action plans.

Policies fostering agroecology and organic agriculture
Argentina
The National Directorate of Agroecology of Argentina (DNAE) was created in 2020
within the National Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to consolidate
the gradual, integral and articulated development of public policies to achieve thediffusion of agroecology nationwide. In two years, 120 groups of more than 1’000
producers were created to carry out this transformation that lowers costs, strengthens
production models, emancipates producers and reduces risks. These producers havegenerated added value in their municipalities and pushed them into action. The DNAE,
assisted by an integrated advisory council of producers, scientists and social
movements, compiled a guide of recommendations and a participatory conceptual

1 Xhona Hysa, Global Policy Coordinator, IFOAM – Organics International, 53113 Bonn, Germany,x.hysa@ifoam.bio
2 Vladyslav Zhmailo, Policy & Guarantee Coordinator, IFOAM – Organics International, 53113 Bonn,
Germany, v.zhmailo@ifoam.bio
3 Gábor Figeczky, Senior Manager Global Policy & Guarantee, IFOAM – Organics International, 53113 Bonn,
Germany, g.figeczky@ifoam.bio

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Regulations and Policies
framework to accompany the promotion of agroecology at the local level. This has led
to the signing of a proposal by 100 Argentine municipalities, with the potential toconvert 38.6 million hectares to agroecology, benefiting the 5.6 million inhabitants
living there. This network represents 12 percent of the country's population and 14
percent of the national surface area.

Saudi Arabia
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has increasingly turned its attention to sustainableagriculture and environmentally friendly farming practices. In 2005, the Ministry ofEnvironment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) adopted the Organic Agriculture Law
to support the organic sector. The government established a functional institutionalframework by creating:− the Department of Organic Production as the competent authority within MEWA,− the Saudi Organic Farming Association, as a private, independent non-profit
organisation incorporating all private actors related to organic agriculture under
one umbrella, and− the National Center for Organic Agriculture as a research institute.
The Saudi Organic Regulation was adopted in 2014 with a national organic agriculture
logo serving as the legal framework for the certification of organic farms. So far, six
certification bodies have been authorised to operate in the Kingdom.
A national policy for organic agriculture and an executive action plan were passed andapproved in 2016 and 2018, respectively, to support the development of the organic
sector. Local organic production has increased by more than 130 percent between 2018and 2021, exceeding 105’000 tonnes in 2021. The organic agricultural land has increasedby more than 45 percent and reached 27’100 hectares with 400 farmers in 2021. This
remarkable growth is a result of the implementation of the Organic Agriculture Policy
Executive Action Plan, which includes measures aiming at spreading awareness oforganic agriculture and food, enhancing the supply chain and marketing, supporting
research and organic inputs and sharing responsibilities among all stakeholders.

MexicoIn 2018, Mexico made a change to favour food security and food sovereignty policies.
This transformation of food systems was undertaken inter-institutionally through apolitical strategy, with the implementation of joint actions to transform food systems.
This transformation has demonstrated its potential impact with internationallyrecognised actions such as:1) The implementation of food warning labelling (especially to control ultra-processed
foods);
2) The ban on the use of glyphosate and transgenic maize;
3) The support of more than two million farmers in the transition to agroecology;4) Increasing local production of organic fertilisers and other bio-inputs;
5) Promoting a health system that prevents poor nutrition, including school education
at all levels;
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Regulations and Policies
6) Working on the regulatory changes needed to support agroecology and organic
inputs, among others;
7) Two main programmes of the Presidency: (Producción para el Bienestar ) and Sowing
Life (Sembrando Vida), both with a budget of over 1 billion USD in 2022.

Ghana
The Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy I and II (FASDEP II) has been theoverarching policy in the Ghanaian agricultural sector. For the past two years, theNational Medium-Term Development Plan for the implementation of the FASDEP II
has been the Investing for Food and Jobs (IFJ). The IFJ is an agenda by the Governmentof Ghana to transform agriculture through a private sector-driven approach to improveself-sufficiency in food production as well as food and nutritional security. This is done
through generating jobs, value addition to agricultural products, export enhancement
and import substitution and increased incomes for all actors along commodity value
chains. The IFJ has been reviewed, and a draft sector plan for the next medium-term
has been prepared, called IFJ II.
The principles of IFJ II embrace the advancement in organic agriculture growth, where
the Public Sector Support Systems ostensibly support the guaranteed principles oforganic soil fertility management and practices as well as environmentally acceptablepest and disease control management, more importantly on fruits and vegetableproduction.
Even though the Government’s position on production in the agriculture sector does
not discriminate between organic and inorganic agriculture, the theory of change
behind the IFJ II generates keen interest and opportunities associated with the growthof organic agriculture in Ghana. Between 2021 and 2022, government officials
encouraged farmers to adopt and intensify the use of organic manure, such as poultry
manure, to enrich their soil fertility and improve the economics of production. Someactions the Government will focus on in the medium to long term include promoting
increased use of organic fertilisers by:
1) Supporting the private sector to establish organic fertiliser processing plants andimprove the quality of organic fertilisers in general;
2) Establishing an assured raw material base suitable for organic fertiliser production;3) Exploring incentives for domestic organic fertiliser producers;
4) Reviewing and enforcing the regulatory framework for the production and tradingof organic fertilisers; and
5) Promoting the adoption of organic agricultural inputs by farmers across the country.

Tanzania
The Tanzanian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation withstakeholders in the organic sector, is currently developing the National Strategy for
Ecological Organic Agriculture 2022-2030, which aims to improve the agricultural
sectors by protecting soil and water, promoting biodiversity and respecting theenvironment. The strategy will be instrumental in implementing the policy statement
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Regulations and Policiesof the 2013 National Agricultural Policy, which envisages the promotion of organic
agriculture to increase foreign earnings and household incomes from the export ofhigh-value organic products through an increased supply.
Additionally, the National Environmental Master Plan 2022 provides strategicinterventions that consider spatial variations and appropriate policy options to guideenvironmental management at all levels. Practices include agroforestry, soil
conservation, soil fertility management, promotion of sustainable agriculture (e.g.,conservation agriculture, climate-smart agriculture and organic agriculture), protectionof biodiversity, ecosystem services and livelihoods.
In 2022, the Horticulture Development Strategy 2021-2031 was also finalised andlaunched, which is meant to boost the competitiveness of the horticulture sub-sector innational, regional and international markets in a sustainable way over the next ten
years. The strategy includes a strategic intervention to create awareness and promote
the production and productivity of organic horticultural crops.

India
Since 2020, natural farming has been expanded in India with the involvement of central
and state governments. Under the centrally sponsored programme - Paramparagat
Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) (i.e. the Traditional Agriculture Development Programme)- natural farming is promoted as the «Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme»(BPKP) (i.e. the Indian Natural Agriculture Programme). The BPKP aims to promotetraditional indigenous practices that reduce externally purchased inputs. It is based
mainly on on-farm biomass recycling, with emphasis on biomass mulching, the use of
on-farm cow dung formulations, periodic soil aeration and the exclusion of all synthetic
chemical inputs. The BPKP is being upscaled as National Mission on Natural Farming(NMNF) for implementation nationwide. NMNF aims at creating institutional
capacities for documentation and dissemination of best practices while making
practising farmers partners in the promotion strategy, ensuring capacity building andcontinuous handholding and finally attracting farmers to natural farming willingly on
the merit of the system.
To date, the following states declared the adoption of the BPKP programme: Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh andUttarakhand. The federal government is planning to make funds available for all Indianstates to promote both organic and natural farming in 2023, which will likely result infurther growth of sustainable agriculture and food production in India.
Environmental programmes are also on the rise in the country, e.g. the Namami Gange
Programme aims to reduce pollution, conserve and rejuvenate the river Ganges. The
catchment area is to be free of chemical residues used in agriculture. Uttarakhand, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal have been involved in the programme withdifferent components of chemical-free agriculture.
In India, Traditional Organic Areas have been identified by the Department ofAgriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) to be converted into
certified organic production hubs through the “Large Area Certification” (LAC)
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Regulations and Policies
scheme. An area of 14’491 hectares in the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands has become the first large contiguous territory to be awarded organic
certification under the LAC scheme of the PGS-India certification programme. Similar
work is underway in the Union Territory of Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir.

Regulations
In terms of regulations, according to the latest data collected by IFOAM – Organics
International in 2022, there are 74 that have fully implemented regulations on organic
agriculture. A total of 21 countries have organic regulations that are not fully
implemented, and 15 are drafting legislation (Table 46 and Table 47). Countries
undergoing significant revisions include the European Union, New Zealand and theUSA.
Table 46: Organic regulations worldwide by region
Continent

Drafting

AfricaAsia
EuropeLatin America and the Caribbean
North America
Oceania
Total

7
6
2
15

Fully
implemented

Not fully
implemented

2
11
39
16
2
4
74

3
11
4
3

Total

21

12
28
43
21
2
4
110

Source: IFOAM – Organics International

The European Union
The scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 covers sea salts and other salts for food and feed;
however, the detailed production rules have not been laid down. The Commission's
expert group for technical advice on organic production (EGTOP) with an expert
subgroup on salt has evaluated the production techniques and concluded that salt fromthe sea, from rock salt deposits, from natural brine and salt lakes are in line with theobjectives and principles of organic production. In 2022 the Commission stated that it
would take into consideration the recommendation of the EGTOP and aim to finalise
its work on the delegated act to amend Regulation (EU) 2018/848 by adding detailed
and specific production rules for sea salts and other salts, in line with the objectives andprinciples of organic production. It is expected that it will not be mandatory to use
certified organic salt in processing.
In addition, to salt, the Commission started its work on the production rules for organic
insects. At present, insects are considered to be agricultural products within the scopeof Article 2(1) (a) of Regulation (EU) No 2018/848. Insects also fall under the definitionof livestock production set out in Article 3(27) of Regulation (EU) 2018/848; however,there are no detailed rules for the production of other organic insects than bees. It is
expected that the Commission will start public consultations on this matter in 2023.
On the 1st of January 2023, the period for transition to electronic provision of certificates
ended. Following Article 35(1), point (a), of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, the certificate
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Regulations and Policies
provided by the competent authorities or, where appropriate, control authorities orcontrol bodies to operators or groups of operators is to be issued in electronic form
through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). This will complement thealready acting rule on using TRACES to issue the electronic inspection certificate forimported organic products into the European Union.

Pacific Region
On 29 July 2022, the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community launched the firstedition of the Pacific Organic Standard (POS) Guidebook. The Guidebook describes therequirements of the Pacific organic standard for organic production and processing andprovides farmers with a comprehensive guide to growing and certifying organic
products. Designed for farmers, producers and consumers of POS-certified products
wanting to understand and be inspired by the POS standard, the guidebook does not
replace the POS official standard but must be seen as a support document.
New Zealand´s Organic Products Bill was read in the House on 27 October 2022 andwas endorsed by the majority of the parties. The next stage for the Bill will be theCommittee of the Whole House, where MPs will have another chance to debate thecontents of the Bill and the proposed changes.
Two key amendments relate to how the organic sector can be involved in scrutinising
the standard. First is the addition, in the bill, of the possibility for a relevant Minister tocreate an advisory council broadly representative of the sector. This council could
provide crucial sector advice to relevant ministers or chief executives, including on theinterpretation and ongoing maintenance of organic standards and implementation of
the regulations.
The other key amendment related to the organic standard is a change in how organic
standards can be made. The bill splits the standards-making process into two parts. The
regulations will specify the scope, standards, and high-level principles, which should
guide the technical parts of the standard, which can now be made by notice.

USA
On 29 March 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published the Origin ofLivestock (OOL) final rule for organic dairy. According to the law, dairy livestock
operators will be able to switch to organic or start a new organic farm by transitioning
non-organic livestock only once. The rule also prohibits sourcing any transitioned
animals. After the organic certification, the organic operator may only add animals thathave been organically managed from the last third of gestation.
Table 47: Regulations on organic agriculture worldwide
Country
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
AndorraAntigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia

Status of regulations onorganic agriculture

Relevant Remarks

Fully Implemented
Drafting
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

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Regulations and Policies
Country
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
BahamasBahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
BelarusBelgium
BelizeBhutanBolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Botswana
BrazilBrunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
BurundiCambodia
Cameroon
CanadaCape VerdeCentral African Republic
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Dem. Rep.
Congo, Rep.
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
CyprusCzech Republic
DenmarkDjibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
DPR Korea
East Timor
EcuadorEgypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
FinlandFranceFrench Polynesia
Gabon
GambiaGeorgia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-Bissau
GuyanaGuyanaHaiti
HondurasHong Kong
Hungary154

Status of regulations onorganic agriculture
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

Relevant Remarks
Only for export.
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Drafting
Not fully implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

PGS recognition.

Fully Implemented

PGS recognition.

Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional voluntary standards (EAOPS)

Drafting
Drafting
Fully Implemented

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

PGS recognition.

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

PGS recognition.
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Fully Implemented

Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

PGS recognition.

Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Not fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional voluntary standards (POS); PGS Recognition.

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Fully Implemented

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Regulations and Policies
Country
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
IrelandIsrael
Italy
Ivory Coast
JamaicaJapan
JordanKazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati (Micronesia)
KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstan
Laos
LatviaLebanonLesothoLiberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxemburg
Madagascar
MalawiMalaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
MexicoMicronesia
Moldova
MonacoMongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
MoroccoMozambique
MyanmarNamibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
North Macedonia
NorwayOman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
PanamaPapua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal

Status of regulations onorganic agriculture
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

Relevant Remarks

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

PGS recognition.

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Drafting
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Regional voluntary standards (EAOPS)
Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Drafting

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
PGS recognition.

Fully Implemented

Fully Implemented

Drafting
Fully Implemented

Not fully implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional voluntary standards (POS)PGS recognition.
Regional voluntary standards (POS)PGS recognition.

Fully Implemented
Drafting

Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional voluntary standards (POS); PGS recognition.
Only for export.

Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Fully Implemented
Drafting
Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional voluntary standards (POS)PGS recognition.
PGS recognition.
PGS recognition.
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

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155

Regulations and Policies
Status of regulations onorganic agriculture

Country
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Romania
RussiaRwandaSaint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
SenegalSerbiaSeychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
SomaliaSouth Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan
Suriname
SwedenSwitzerland
Syria
TaiwanTajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
TurkeyTurkmenistan
TuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
UruguayUSA
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
ZambiaZimbabwe

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

Relevant Remarks

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional voluntary standards (EAOPS)

Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Fully Implemented
Not fully implemented
Fully Implemented
Drafting

Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
Regional voluntary standards (POS)

Drafting
Fully Implemented
Drafting

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Drafting
Drafting
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)

Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented
Regional voluntary standards (EAOPS)

Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Regional voluntary standards (EAOPS)
Not fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Fully Implemented
Drafting

Regional compulsory regulation (EU Regulation)
PGS recognition.

Regional voluntary standards (POS)
Not Fully Implemented
Not fully Implemented

Source: IFOAM – Organics International

156

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnPGSParticipatory Guarantee Systems in 2022
SARA ANSELMI1 AND FLÁVIA MOURA E CASTRO2
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are locally focused quality assurance systems.
They certify producers based on the active participation of stakeholders and are built
on a foundation of trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange (IFOAM definition,2008).
IFOAM – Organics International is the only organisation collecting data about PGS ona global level. To date3, we have recorded 323 PGS initiatives in 76 countries, with atleast 1’417’522 producers involved and 1’328’496 producers certified (Table 48, Figure57). It is estimated that these producers manage 887’744 hectares of land.
Despite additional efforts implemented during the survey carried out in 2022, it was
not possible to collect or update information about the total organic area managed by
PGS-certified producers for over 50 percent of all operational PGS initiatives. This
includes initiatives based in countries reporting many PGS-certified producers, such as
Brazil and countries with numerous PGS initiatives, such as Bolivia. Therefore, the totalorganic area managed by PGS-certified producers is likely much larger than estimatedhere4.
With more than 1.3 million certified producers, India is home to the majority of
producers involved in PGS. Certified producers under the official governmental PGS
program manage 795’094 hectares of organic area, while 4’619 hectares are managed
organically by producers involved in at least two other PGS initiatives also active in the
country, operating outside the governmental program. Hence, the total number of PGScertified producers in India now amounts to at least 1’288’3515, representing a 10
percent increase compared to the previous year.
Worldwide, there are seven countries with more than 1’000 producers certified by PGS,
in addition to India: Brazil (8’864), Thailand (8’603), Peru (4’565), Tanzania (2’320),
Kyrgyzstan (1’097), Kenya (1’078) and France (1’064).
The numbers of producers certified through PGS have been increasing in the past four
years in all regions, except for Europe and Oceania, which reported a decrease of 1.2

1 Sara Anselmi, formerly IFOAM – Organics International, today Certification Analyst at FLOCERT Gmbh,
53129, Bonn, Germany
2 Flávia Moura e Castro, Senior Organic Policy & Guarantee Coordinator, IFOAM – Organics International,
53113 Bonn, Germany
3 Data collection was carried out until 30 November 2022.
4 A conservative estimate could be based on the assumption that the majority of producers benefitting from
PGS certification in Brazil, for example, manage at least 2 hectares of land. This would add about 17’250 ha tothe total organic area managed by PGS-certified producers in Brazil. For Bolivia it is more complicated tomake similar estimations due to the lack of data on the number of producers involved in at least 41 of all
operational PGS initiatives.
5 This total excludes 771 producers that were reported as being certified both under the national PGS
program and by the initiative PGS Organic Council.

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PGS
percent and 13.4 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year. Asia has seen an
increase in the number of certified producers, mostly due to India once again, eventhough the 10 percent growth shows a major deceleration compared to 2021 and 2020.

Figure 57: Development of PGS-certified producers worldwide 2010-2022
Source: IFOAM – Organics International 2022

In 2022, IFOAM - Organics International launched the new Global Map of PGS
Initiatives,1 with an improved layout and video instructions on how to submit
information. Through this collectively managed platform, PGS coordinators canregularly update their contact details, annual figures and general information,
contributing to a global overview of PGS as these initiatives continue to increase in
number and size for the benefit of thousands of organic producers and processors
building sustainable food systems all over the world.

General Developments (per region)
AfricaAt least 48 PGS initiatives (33 operational and 15 under development) are currently
documented in Africa. The region reports an increase of 7.18 percent in certified
producers and 19.5 percent in terms of involved producers compared to the previous
year. A major development is observed in the total area certified, which currently

1

For more information see the website of IFOAM – Organics International https://pgs.ifoam.bio

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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnPGS
amounts to 31’479 hectares, mostly due to Namibia: the national PGS initiative
implemented by the Namibian Organic Association (NOA) reported 26’502 hectares ofcertified organic land1.
Four countries in the region reported a significant increase in PGS-certified producers
and hectares: Benin, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania. While the number of PGScertified producers essentially doubled for Benin, increased by 50 percent in Burkina
Faso and by 30 percent in Tanzania, it was in Kenya that the most significant
development was observed: there are now 900 certified producers more than there werein 2021, for a total of 1’078. Currently, 14 local groups in Kenya can access the Kilimohailogo (East African Organic Mark) granted by the national organic agriculture
movement, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN). This development is
attributed to the implementation of various projects supporting PGS and the growth ofthe domestic organic market. The first Kenya National PGS Workshop was organised
in November 2022 as part of efforts to better structure PGS in the country under theoversight of KOAN. It was supported by Biovision Africa Trust (BVAT) and FiBL.
Mozambique also reported a significant increase in the total of producers certified(+147) and involved in PGS (+77) compared to the previous year. This is particularly
relevant since the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) is
currently developing a proposal to regulate organic agriculture in the country. The
latest draft does not consider PGS as an accepted approach to verify conformity withorganic standards. There are risks that smallholders and family farmers, including
those currently involved in PGS, will not be able to benefit from the regulation unless
an inclusive consultation process is carried out and the final text reflects the needs andexperience of the national stakeholders.

Asia
All countries that submitted updates for this region reported increased certified andinvolved producers, except Cambodia and the Philippines. In Cambodia, the reduction(from 112 certified producers in 2021 to 26 in 2022; from 249 involved producers in 2021
to 132 in 2022) is related to the fact that at least two PGS initiatives are no longer active
due to a lack of funding. In the Philippines, the reduction of 301 producers certified andof 2’027 producers involved could be related to the changes in the legal framework thattook place in 2020. After the promulgation of the Amendment to the Organic
Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 11511), which recognises PGS, many PGS
initiatives that had been operational for years started a process to revise their systems
and processes in order to receive government accreditation. At the same time, new PGS
initiatives were formed with support from the government but are not yet accredited
and therefore did not report any certified producers.
India remains at the forefront (+10 percent growth in terms of certified farmers and +4.7
percent increase in farmland, compared to 2021), followed by Thailand (which reported

It is important to highlight that this data for Namibia was not previously available and that the high figure
is related to the organic rangeland farms managed by three of the five producers currently certified there.
1

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PGS
four times more PGS-certified farmers and over 40’000 more producers involved in
PGS, compared to 2021). Asia remains the region with the highest number of producers
certified and involved in PGS and the second region (after Latin America) in terms ofoperational PGS initiatives.

Europe and North America
With 25 PGS initiatives in 2022 (-6, compared to 2021), Europe also reports a slight
reduction in the total number of certified producers and area under organic
management. Greece and Hungary are not included in the overview, as we can nolonger confirm active PGS initiatives in those countries. Belgium and Italy are the only
countries reporting a moderate increase, both in terms of producers certified andinvolved in PGS.
North America did not report any major change in 2022. The PGS initiative Certified
Naturally Grown (CSA), with members in the USA and Canada, reported a decrease of
6 percent in the total of certified and involved producers compared to 2021.

Latin and Central America
In 2022, Central and Latin America saw a significant increase in producers involved in
PGS (+21.5 percent) and certified through PGS (+14.7 percent) compared to 2021. The
main increase in certified producers was observed in Peru, with 2.5 times more certified
producers compared to the previous year. It is important to mention that the numberof producers involved in and certified through PGS in this region is certainly
underestimated, in particular, due to Bolivia. Although the country reports a decreasein these figures compared to 2021, it was not possible to collect data from the majorityof the 42 PGS initiatives accredited by the Bolivian Government1.
This is the region where the most PGS initiatives are being implemented (141
operational and at least five under development), and Bolivia is the frontrunner interms of the total number of operational PGS initiatives (45), followed by Brazil (28),
Chile (24) and Peru (16).

Oceania
The region reports 16 PGS initiatives (12 operational, four under development). The
majority of the PGS initiatives are based in the Pacific Islands. A slight decrease incertified producers (-140) and a significant increase in producers involved in PGS(+1’640) have been observed in 2022 compared to the previous year. The latter is related
to an increase in the number of producers joining the PGS initiative “Farm Support
Association / Syndicat Agricol Pastoral” in Vanuatu. The figure will likely continue toincrease due to the implementation of the Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Strategy(VSTS, 2021-2025) for the recovery of the tourism sector, which specifically indicates theneed to increase local organic production and to support PGS development to achieve

Data for Bolivia was collected through interviews and the national PGS database, which does not indicate
the number of producers involved in each accredited PGS initiative.
1

160

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnPGS
the transition to a more resilient and less dependent tourism industry. The total area
certified in 2022 for Oceania is also bigger, mainly due to certified operations in New
Caledonia, which now manage an additional 1’376’58 ha compared to what wasreported the previous year.
The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) has been engaged in
the promotion of organic agriculture and PGS in the Pacific Islands. It is important tohighlight efforts being implemented by POETCom to support their members andlicensees in adopting a gender-sensitive approach. Gender mainstreaming within theorganic movement is still at an initial stage. POETCom has been one of the few
organisations taking clear steps to address this gap, for example, through collecting
gender-disaggregated data among PGS members and certified producers. This is still
relatively uncommon among PGS initiatives worldwide, and efforts in this direction
will make it possible to better understand women's roles, needs and valuable
contributions to the organic movement.
General notes on the data
Every three years IFOAM – Organics International conducts a global PGS survey. In 2022, the survey was
conducted using the Global Map of PGS initiatives, bilateral remote communication with PGS initiatives
coordinators, online national databases, and direct communication with competent authorities and PGS
experts. For some PGS initiatives, no new data was received; therefore, data from the previous year wasused. PGS initiatives that have not submitted data for the past four years were considered to be no longer
active and thus excluded from the current statistics.
In countries where PGS are recognised under the national organic regulation, data collected and publishedby competent authorities was used. This is the case in Brazil1, Bolivia2, Chile3, Costa Rica4, and India5. Mexico6
and Peru7 also recognise PGS, and general information is available online for those initiatives that arerecognised by the competent authority, but there are many initiatives in both countries that have been
operational for years and are not included in the official registries, so additional data provided by local PGS
experts and organic stakeholders was used, in addition to the official information available online.
Definitions used
› PGS initiative: Entity or organisation that has defined/chosen/adopted a common set of standards fororganic agriculture and a common set of procedures (i.e., they have a common manual describing those
procedures) and that has a coordination body (i.e., secretary, association) that has the overview of the data
coming from the regional/subgroups, local groups or the individual farmers directly. A PGS initiative will

Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, Brasil: Cadastro Nacional de Produtores Orgânicos.
Available at http://www.agricultura.gov.br/assuntos/sustentabilidade/organicos/cadastro-nacionalprodutores-organicos
2 Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria e inocuidad alimentaria (SENASAG), Bolivia. Available athttps://paititi.senasag.gob.bo/egp/registroEcologico.html
3 Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, Chile: Certificación de Productos orgánicos. Available at
http://www.sag.cl/ambitos-de-accion/certificacion-de-productos-organicos/132/registros
4 Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado, MAG, Costa Rica: Registrados en Arao - Certificación Participativa.
Available at https://www.sfe.go.cr/SitePages/ARAO/InicioARAO.aspx
5 Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, India: Participatory Guarantee System for India. Available at
http://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in
6 Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, Mexico:
https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/692697/Sistemas_de_Certificacion_Organica_Participativa_2021.pdf
7 Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria, Peru: https://www.gob.pe/institucion/senasa/informespublicaciones/1496773-lista-de-entidades-de-certificacion-de-la-produccion-organica-registrados-ante-senasa
1

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PGS
also typically use one standard label to identify their farmers' organic products and/or a logo used byother PGS initiatives, such as a national/regional organic logo.
Explanatory note: A PGS initiative can be composed of one local group, especially at the initial stage ofdevelopment. Even though it is common for PGS initiatives to be composed of various local groups, it isalso possible that the PGS producers in a PGS initiative work together based on geographic proximity or
technical expertise without forming a local group.
› PGS status: Setting up a PGS is a long process that requires two or more years before the producers can be
fully certified. In our data collection, we distinguish between two situations:› Operational PGS: a PGS implementing a functional certification system to certify their producers and has
issued at least one certificate to one farmer.
› PGS under development: a PGS that is in the process of developing a functional certification system tocertify their producers and has not yet issued any certificates.
The number of producers within a PGS: There are two categories of producers considered for a PGS
initiative:› Producers involved: Farmers and processors that are involved in a PGS either as certified or as not yet
having received certification, including those that are in the process of conversion and that are
expecting/intending to get a PGS certificate in the near future.
› Producers certified: Farmers and processors that have been verified through a PGS and that have received
a PGS certificate or proof of certification if they are approved as part of a group within a PGS initiative.

Table 48: Participatory Guarantee Systems worldwide 2022
Country

PGS
Initiatives

Producers
certified

Producers
involved

Operational
initiatives

Initiatives
underdevelopment

PGS-certified
land [ha]Africa48

7’598

23’71933

15

33’720Benin
Burkina Faso
BurundiCameroon
Ethiopia
Ghana
GuineaIvory Coast
Kenya
Mali
Mauritius
MoroccoMozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sao Tome/ &Principe
SenegalSouth Africa
Tanzania
Togo
UgandaZimbabwe

1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

450
864
0
40
0
36
0
0
1’078
250
0
55
167
5
706
0
13

700
1’476
4’820
160
30
500
59
35
1’587
1’352
0
61
167
9
706
158
40

1
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1

0
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0

164
180

Asia

1
17
6
4
1
1
87

291
361
2’320
497
450
15
1’302’243

500
641
2’716
763
7’224
15
1’357’273

1
14
5
0
1
1
58

0
3
1
4
0
0
29

Bangladesh
BhutanCambodia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan

1
1
7
3
3
1
1

0
0
26
0
1’289’122
367
6

123
100
132
1’129
1’294’742
547
8

0
0
0
0
3
1
1

1
1
7
3
0
0
0

162

120

1’442
112
352
0
26’502
45
2
370
479
3’605
341
6
815’016

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn02
799’713
96
2

PGS
Country

Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
Philippines
South Korea
Sri Lanka
TaiwanThailand
Vietnam

EuropeBelgium
BosniaCzech
Republic
FranceGermany
Italy
Spain
TurkeyLatin
America
Argentina
BelizeBolivia
BrazilChile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
EcuadorEl Salvador
GuatemalaMexicoParaguay
Peru
UruguayNorth
America
USA

Oceania
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
FrenchPolynesia
New
Caledonia
New Zealand
Samoa
Solomon Isl.
Vanuatu
Total

PGS
Initiatives

Producers
certified

Producers
involved

Operational
initiatives

1
3
1
2
1
12
20
1
3
2
15
9
25

1’097
334
26
6
304
171
229
780
408
60
8’603
704
1’647

3’000
500
115
35
304
288
595
2’200
837
471
51’082
1’065
2’762

1
2
1
2
1
7
11
1
1
2
15
9
16

Initiatives
underdevelopment
0
1
0
0
0
5
9
0
2
0
0
0
9

PGS-certified
land [ha]

2
1
1

90
0
8

224
5
15

2
0
0

0
1
1

4
1
4
11
1

1’064
38
237
210
0

1’798
38
347
305
30

3
0
2
9
0

1
1
2
2
1

250
2’670
1’368
92
90

146

15’45729’761141

5

12’685

2
1
45
28
24
6
7
1
4
1
1
7
2
16
1
1

20
0
262
8’864
264
373
69
0
637
18
25
85
78
4’627
135

40
5
1’720
8’864
264
649
74
3’712
1’877
18
50
216
211
11’561
500

1
0
45
28
24
6
7
0
4
1
1
5
2
16
1

1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0

170

650

750

1

0

8’440

1
16

650
901

750
3’257

1
12

0
4

8’440
13’413

2
1
7
1

14
4
483
67

25
17
875
115

1
1
5
1

1
0
2
0

2’200
23
9’166
323

1

155

240

1

0

1’676

1
1
1
1
323

130
0
48
0
1’328’496

130
190
54
1’611
1’417’522

1
0
1
1
261

0
1
0
0
62

25
0
887’744

2’667
773
4
379
15
363
207
224
8’855
1’716
4’470

107
2’564
908
1’528
187
0
80
1
177
235
6’178
550

Source: PGS survey of IFOAM – Organics International, 2022

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Africa

Map 2: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Africa 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023 based on information from the private sector, certifiers, governments, and the Mediterranean
Organic Agricultural Network (MOAN) for the Mediterranean countries
For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

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AfricaDevelopments in Organic Agriculture in Africa
DAVID M. AMUDAVI1, VENANCIA WAMBUA2, ALEX MUTUNGI3, MOSES O.
AISU4 AND OLUGBENGA O. ADEOLUWA5
Introduction
Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) in Africa continued to receive much attention
from various actors, including farmers, practitioners, researchers, policymakers andother stakeholders post-COVID-19 pandemic. Various studies conducted aroundorganic and conventional systems demonstrated the potential of EOA to contribute tofood security and nutrition, land degradation restoration, poverty alleviation, climatechange mitigation and resilience, among other socioeconomic and environmental
benefits.

The Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I)
The Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I)6, supported by the African Union(AU), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish
Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), among other development partners, reached
out to many smallholder farmers across Africa. The initiative aims to mainstream
Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) into national agricultural production systems by
2025 in order to improve agricultural productivity, food security, market access andsustainable development in Africa.
This is to be realised through scaling up ecologically and organically sound strategies
and practices through institutional capacity development, scientific innovations,market system development, public policies and programs, outreach andcommunication, efficient coordination, networking and partnerships in Africa.

7.8 million farmers reached
Based on the 2022 data, about 7.8 million farmers (37 percent women, 63 percent men
and 28 percent youth) were reached with information and knowledge on EOA toenhance knowledge about and uptake of organic farming. Additionally, 1’256 value
chain actors (transporters, input suppliers, marketers and consumers) were reachedwith various types of EOA information. The information and knowledge covered
diverse areas, including crop management, soil fertility management, organic seed

Dr. David Amudavi, EOA-I Project Coordinator, Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya
Venancia Wambua, EOA-I Project Manager, Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya
3 Alex Mutungi, EOA-I Secretariat Coordinator - Biovision Africa Trust, Nairobi, Kenya
4 Moses O. Aisu, African Organic Network (AfrONet), Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
5 Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa, Network of Organic Agriculture Research in Africa (NOARA), c/o Department ofSoil Resources Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
6 The EOA Initiative (EOA-I) in Africa is a response to support and implement the African Union Council
Decision on Organic Farming passed during the Eighteenth Ordinary Session, 24-28 January 2011,
EX.CL/Dec.621 (XVIII).
1
2

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Africaproduction and management, value addition, market intelligence and organic
standards and certification. The capacity of about 10’000 farmers to adopt EOA andagroecological practices was enhanced through training and field exchange events
organised from the national to continental level by the EOA-I implementing partners
and the executing agencies.

75 knowledge products validated
Knowledge management through developing and disseminating knowledge
products is key to advancing EOA uptake. Seventy-five EOA knowledge products
were validated, packaged and disseminated, covering a range of areas such as
preparation of quality manure and vermicompost, value addition across various
enterprises, organic standards and certification, and soil fertility management.
EOA practices promoted
Beyond knowledge of organic technologies and practices, 27’891 farmers (13’188 males,
4’906 females and 9’797 youth) adopted the EOA practices promoted. The
communication pathways used to trigger uptake included knowledge databases,
farmer field days, exchange visits, training events, workshops, trade fairs, social media(especially YouTube, Twitter and Facebook) and websites. The multiplier approach oftraining teams of facilitators, who then trained larger numbers of value chain actors,
was used. This approach saw 314 master trainers train 2’629 value chain actors.
Various value chains were promoted, including herbs, honey, chia seeds, millet,
sesame, vegetables (tomatoes, onions, fonio, carrots, potatoes) and fruits (plantains,bananas, pineapples and strawberries). EOA-I realised an increase in the number offarmers meeting organic market standards, with 375 farmers being facilitated to becertified, which correlated with the establishment of 40 organic markets.

Achievements at the national level
Thirty-three multi-stakeholder forums were convened to lobby for agroecology/EOA
policy changes. Five-hundred-thirty stakeholders participated in advocacy and lobby
forums, meetings or workshops at the national level to achieve 80 percent of the annual
meetings planned for various EOA-I stakeholder groups across the nine participating
countries in Eastern Africa and West Africa.
Further achievements at the national level were in related projects such as− soil improvement and agroecology for resilient agri-food systems in Benin(ProSilience) supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation(GIZ);− agroecological transition in zones of Benin, supported by the French Development
Agency (AFD);− IIABA - Institutional Innovations for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa,
supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) in Tanzania;− subsidy for organic inputs availed following the High Council of Agriculture
chaired by the Head of State of Nigeria endorsing support to organic farmers and− implementation of the National Agricultural Extension Strategy for Uganda.
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Achievements at the regional level
At the regional level, EOA forums lobbied for the support of Regional Economic
Communities (RECS), especially the East Africa Community (EAC) and the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to steer and lobby for the developmentof regional policies in support of EOA. The EOA-I currently has two active regional
platforms in Western and Eastern Africa. The Central Africa regional platform waslaunched, and plans are underway to establish the Northern and Southern Africa
platforms.

Successful policy work at the continental level
At the continental level, various forums were held, which the EOA-I secretariat
participated in and contributed to policy lobbying and advocacy. Key among them was
the Third Steering Group Meeting of the African Seed and Biotechnology Partnership
Platform (ASBPP) held in May 2022 in Kampala, Uganda, where among others, theFarmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) road map drafted by the EOA-I was approved.
Further, three indicators for the development of FMSS were presented by the EOA-I
secretariat for inclusion into the Seed Index of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture
Development Programme (CAADP) under theme 3, titled “Ending Hunger”. This wasat the Third CAADP Biennial Review Cycle meeting held in August 2022 in Yaoundé,
Cameroon, organised by the African Union Commission (AUC). One policy indicator
capturing the status of FMSS in national seed policy instruments and institutionalarrangements was approved by the forum chaired by the African Union Commission.
The indicator evaluates the extent to which national seed policy instruments (seedpolicy, law, regulation/decree) and institutional arrangements promote an enabling
environment for FMSS development.
Further, the CAADP policy framework has now mainstreamed EOA by integrating an
EOA status report as annexed in the 3rd Biennial Review Report.
Despite the achievements mentioned above, various challenges limit the full realisationof favourable policy and legislation for EOA, and these include:
1)

2)

3)

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Limited resources to scale up the EOA-I to all 55 African countries and the fivepolitical regions as envisioned by the EOA Strategic Plan 2015-2025. So far, only
nine countries are implementing trackable EOA activities in West and Eastern
Africa.
Related to the above, the EOA sector is not institutionally supported asconventional agriculture is. Most of the support for the EOA sector comes fromdonor-funded projects and is implemented by non-governmental organisations.
Limited research, development and innovation on EOA in Africa adversely affect
the growth and development of the EOA sector. This weakness exploited byproponents of conventional agriculture further undermines the EOA sector.

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Africa4)5)Adoption levels of agroecological practices are still low even though there isincreased attention to agroecology-based food systems. Current food systems needto transition from heavily chemical-based practices, as demonstrated at the United
Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and reinforced by the African Union
Common Position on UNFSS, to sustainable and resilient systems.
Weak capacity of partners to establish and manage successful value chainsattractive to the private sector for investment.

The Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa
The Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa (KCOA) is part of the German
BMZ’s1 initiative “ONE World – No Hunger”. The motivation for the project lies in themultifunctional and sustainability-enhancing nature of EOA/agroecology. These
attributes lead to the following:− They promote soil health, increase water and CO2 storage of soils and strengthen
the resilience of agricultural systems (ecological sustainability);− they increase the availability of healthy, high-quality food in local markets,
including in rural areas; employment (food security);− they lead to organic and agroecological value chains that increase employment
opportunities for the rural population, especially for youth and women; economic
sustainability (employment);− they enable sustainability through independence from synthetic fertilisers andpesticides, less dependence on fossil energies and corresponding pricedevelopments; (economic sustainability); and− they strengthen ownership and create prospects for rural populations throughcollecting, processing and disseminating knowledge on EOA/agroecology (social
sustainability).
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) coordinates the project, whichaims to strengthen actors of the regional knowledge hubs2 and their networks inEastern, Southern, West, North and Central Africa in promoting organic agriculture
and agroecology. West Africa has Senegal, Benin, Gambia, Mali and Nigeria; Eastern
Africa has Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Madagascar. Southern Africa has
Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, and Malawi; Northern Africa has Egypt, Morocco andTunisia, while Central Africa’s hub is based in Cameroon.

Three main strategies
The assemblage of the five regional knowledge hubs is being addressed through threemain strategies:

BMZ is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium fürwirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung). More information is available on
https://www.bmz.de/en.
2 For more information see https://eoai-africa.org/knowledge-hub-giz-funded-project/
1

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Africa− Integrated Knowledge Management Systems Strategy: This involves collecting,validating and preparing indigenous and scientific knowledge on the production,
processing and marketing of organic products. The hubs generate content on
important thematic areas, including nutrition and food security, climate change,
water management, resilience and sustainability of farming systems, markets andmarket development, and technology transfer and learning. Communication tools
include knowledge databases/websites, publications, Information Education
Communication (IEC) materials, videos, ICT1 applications and social media(Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube).
− Dissemination and Capacity Building Strategy: This involves adapting existingknowledge and good practices by participating countries, strengthening thecompetencies of multipliers and disseminating knowledge to various target
groups, including farmers along the value chain based on the needs andconstraints of the groups. Regional and country training programmes (Training ofTeams of Trainers/Facilitators) are expected to enable the multipliers (innovators,
entrepreneurs, model farmers, extension officers, etc.) to access knowledge fromdigital knowledge platforms and to use various tools to disseminate thatknowledge to diverse target groups for putting into use.
− Market Systems Development and Networking Strategy: This involves working
on a network with key actors of the organic value chains across the five regions tocreate incomes, provide services, and improve farm households’ livelihoods andthose of other community members. The strategy links the KCOA project to otherinitiatives around the African continent, such as the EOA-I, for complementarity,
synergies and shared learning. The strategy aims to build the capacity andresilience of local systems, leveraging the incentives and resources of the private
sector, ensuring the beneficial inclusion of the smallholder farmers and stimulatingchange and innovation that will grow beyond the project’s life.
A business development services approach links target groups to service providers(for inputs, marketing, training, information, technology development and transfer
purposes) and makes markets work for the poor. Certification and standards
within context-adapted participatory guarantee systems (PGS) and an internal
control system are encouraged.2 A value chain approach focusing on strategic
value chains and the specific needs of the value chain actors is also adopted.

Information and communications technology ICT
A Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is a quality assurance scheme with a local focus. It certifies
producers based on active stakeholder participation and is built on a foundation of trust, social networks andknowledge exchange.
1
2

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Africa
Various partners are involved – country and regional partners1, international
partners2 and the African Union.

Multiple activities of the regional knowledge hubs
So far, the project has reached five million farmers and value chain stakeholders across
Africa, connected 500 organisations in the organic sector, created 1’800 knowledge
products in over 20 languages for 20 countries, assisted 1’700 businesses with PGS
certification, trained 470’000 farmers and their families and trained 5’000 multipliers(including 150 master trainers) in 18 countries.
The use of the Continental Digital Knowledge Platform is growing, as shown by thedata captured in Figure 58 for October 2022. The platform aims to disseminate relevant
knowledge on organic agriculture and provide a space for web-based networking withinternational and regional organisations, initiatives and networks.

Figure 58: Africa: Knowledge products per region (status as of October 2022)
Source: GIZ (2022). Updates of the Global Project “Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa” (KCOA) for the
18th Continental Steering Committee (CSC) of the AU Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) December 2022

Country and regional partners include non-governmental organisations, such as Biovision Africa Trust andPELUM Uganda for Eastern Africa, the Sustainability Institute for South Africa; ENDA ProNat, FENAB &Agrecol Afrique for West Africa; SAILD, GADD, Inades, CPE and CPCRE for Central Africa.
2 International partners included organisations such as IFOAM - Organics International, Biovision
Foundation, Access Agriculture, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and the International
Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).
1

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Africa
Some examples of initiatives by the regional knowledge hubs are worth sharing:− In the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in North Africa (KHNA)
framework, the Carbon Credits „Farms 4 Climate“, Egypt at SEKEM1, certifies
small farms that convert to organic farming practices through a national standard.
These farms’ CO2 savings and storage (about 12’000 tons CO2 in 2021) areconsidered carbon credits. In Egypt, the ”Farms 4 Climate” programme will be
widely disseminated by the KNHA (up to 3.7 million hectares, about 80’000’000
metric tons of CO2 per year). It will also be piloted with partners in Morocco andTunisia.
− In the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in West Africa (KHWA)
framework, the “Week-End Bio“ (organic weekends) in Senegal is a practice ofpromoting organic food distribution and raising awareness about organic farmingand healthy diets. So far, 142 exhibitors and 3’700 visitors have participated insuch weekend events. In 2021, 23 metric tons of organic products were sold. The
products are certified through Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and comefrom 120 farms. The KHWA will also pilot the organic weekends in Mali, Beninand Nigeria.
− In the framework of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Eastern
Africa (KHEA), the ‘’farmers' Caravan’’ consists of trained farmers and multipliers
who visit organic farms in different regions to exchange ideas, learn from eachother and initiate a national strategy for the dissemination of organic agriculture.
So far, more than 2’000 farmers and their families have been reached, 45 percent ofwhom were youth.
− Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa (KHSA): In theframework of the ‘’Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Pollinator Programme’’,
20 pollinator-multipliers, 18 PGS groups and 345 farmers have been trained inSouth Africa. This programme has trained the multipliers to set up PGSs
throughout South Africa to help build more connected local food systems, provide
organic assurance for consumers and support organic growers in sharing
knowledge. “The Pollinator program has helped me develop as a leader and gain
more confidence in talking to people about organic agriculture. PGS connects
consumers, farmers, and communities through a shared vision,” says Sophia
Grodes, PGS Pollinator.
The Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in North Africa is leading in theknowledge products uploaded on the continental digital knowledge platform, followedby the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture Eastern Africa (KHEA) (Figure 58). The
KHEA has the highest number of knowledge products validated but yet to be uploadedon the platform.

1 For more information about SEKEM see www.sekem.com

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Governance and institutional development
Memorandum of Understanding between Biovision Africa Trust and the African
Union
In 2019, the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture,
Rural Development, Water and Environment officially endorsed Biovision Africa Trustas the EOA-I Secretariat and agency to oversee the implementation and reporting the
progress of the implementation of the Africa Union Decision on Organic Agriculture(EX.CL/Dec.621 XVII). The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between
Biovision Africa Trust and the African Union officially took place in July 2022 in Addis
Ababa, graced by H.E Ambassador Josefa Sacko, the African Union Commissioner for
the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (DARBE),
and Dr David Amudavi, the Executive Director of Biovision Africa Trust. In her
remarks, Ambassador Josefa Sacko paid tribute to Biovision Africa Trust for supporting
the implementation of the EOA-I, which she said has a special niche in the productionof healthy foods for the people and for protecting the environment. Further, she called
for more advocacy on promoting bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides that should result inindustrial-scale production to provide alternatives to conventional fertilisers andpesticides. She noted the contribution of Biovision Africa Trust towards enhancing
agricultural diversity and transformation and applauded the EOA-I secretariat’s role inchampioning Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) within the African Seed andBiotechnology Partnership Platform (ASBPP).

Implementation of EOA in Africa: Current and future activities
The African Union-supported Continental Steering Committee (CSC) of the EOA-I
continued to provide strategic guidance and patronage as regards the implementationof EOA in Africa despite the rampant COVID-19 challenges. The 17th and 18th African
Union CSC meetings were held in South Africa and Kenya, respectively.
Key decisions and resolutions in 2022 were taken among them.
− the development of a continental EOA multi-stakeholder platform to be led by the
EOA-I secretariat and AfrONet,− a resource mobilisation strategy to support EOA initiatives beyond Eastern andWest Africa to cover all five regions of the continent,− the streamlining of the organisation of the Africa Organic Conference, among
others.
The Continental Steering Committee also endorsed two studies to be undertaken in2023 by Biovision Africa Trust and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation. The two separate studies will take stock of EOA initiatives on thecontinent and examine the role of youth in agroecology.
The EOA-I secretariat conducted a pilot study on the potential EOA indicators. The
three earlier mentioned indicators (see section “successful policy work” in the EOA-I
subchapter) have been adopted and included in the CAADP Biennial Review
framework. The indicators are total agricultural land under organic fertilisers, theFiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

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proportion of EOA/Agroecology producers having access to advisory services and theshare of agricultural land under EOA/Agroecology practices.
The discussion about the development of the EOA-I to cover all five political regions ofAfrica continued in 2022, and the African Union and its EOA-I Secretariat convened
stakeholders from Southern Africa to establish the region’s platform. They developed
a concept note for the relaunch of the Southern Africa EOA-I regional platform in 2023.
A similar meeting is planned between the African Union, the EOA-I Secretariat and theArab Maghreb Union’s Secretariat to discuss the roadmap for the establishment of an
EOA-I regional platform for Northern Africa to cover Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania,
Morocco and Tunisia.

Data on the status of organic agriculture
Key decisions taken by governments and other stakeholders are informed by reliabledata and analysis. However, organic agriculture data in Africa remains scanty andperhaps not precise. A survey tool developed by the EOA-I CSC in collaboration withIFOAM – Organics International to support gathering relevant data on programmes
and initiatives has not been applied. The tool was expected to be regularly used
together with other sources of data like Ministries of Agriculture and National Bureausof Statistics on board to harness relevant data on organic agriculture and identify gaps
and opportunities for further actions. An important step in this direction was thedevelopment of some relevant indicators to monitor the performance of EOA in thecontinent, which was reported on in CAADP’s biennial review reporting process.
This has been further elaborated by a complementary framework addressing key
priority area 5 of the Policy and Programme Development of the EOA Initiative,
utilising six criteria:− the extent to which a national policy is in place and supported by a budgetary
allocation;− the extent to which organic regulations have been promulgated and implemented;− the extent to which national standards and certification are in place;− the extent of government support to the organic sector;− the degree to which civil society is involved in the development of the EOA sector;
and− the performance of the domestic and export EOA market.
These criteria will be used to locate and track a country’s EOA development and assess
and report the multiple components of a country’s developmental pathway. Processes
and outcomes need to be monitored systematically to support the transition towards
sustainable food production as part of sustainable development in Africa. Monitoringand evaluation indicators shall be linked to government and African Union budgets toensure financial incentives are associated with environmentally responsible
production.
A study commissioned by the African Union, Swiss Agency for Development andCooperation and Biovision Africa Trust to take stock of EOA initiatives, programmes

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Africaand projects in Africa will also sample the five regions for Malabo-compliant1 National
Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) and Regional Agricultural Investment Plan
(RAIPs)2 about the African Union Decision on organic agriculture. The process will also
aid future EOA data collection and availability.

Achievements by the African Organic Network AfrONet
AfrONet, the umbrella of the African organic movements and organic sector
development, aims to strengthen and support national, regional, and continental
networks, overseeing the development and growth of organic agriculture in Africa. As
a member of the Continental Steering Committee of the EOA Initiative, AfrONet
positions itself to network with all key actors on the African continent.

Regional networks
In Southern Africa, AfrONet has reached out to the Southern African Network for
Organic Development (SANOD) and IFOAM’s Southern African Network (ISAN),
which have been uniting organic stakeholders in the region.
Other active regional networks relevant to AfrONet are from West Africa through West
Africa Organic Network (WafrONet), Central Africa and Eastern Africa National
Organic Agriculture Movements/Networks (NOAMs).
AfrONet initiated the process of establishing a National Organic Agriculture
Movement in Egypt through a local organisation. It is anticipated that by 2023, Organic
Egypt will be transformed into a national organic movement (NOAM) to handle
organic activities in Egypt and collaborate with the Moroccan Interprofessional
Federation for Organic Agriculture FIMABio.Together with the organic movement in
Tunisia, these NOAMs are anticipated to establish the North Africa Organic Network
platform.

AfrONet memberships in 27 countries
Currently, NOAMs from 27 countries are members of AfrONet. The new AfroNet
strategic plan 2023-2028 includes a roadmap for creating NOAMs in the remaining 28
countries by 2028. To drive the establishment of NOAMs in Africa, AfroNet hasdeveloped a guiding tool for the establishment/formation and strengthening of
NOAMs that will be operational by 2023. AfroNet has been bringing together all the

The Heads of States and Government of the African Union, who met in June 2014, in Malabo, Equatorial
Guinea adopted two Decisions and two Declarations which directly relate to “Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Programme” CAADP and Africa's agricultural transformation and food security
agenda in the 2015-2025 decade. More information about the Malabo Declaration can be found athttps://www.nepad.org/caadp/publication/synthesis-of-malabo-declaration-caadp-and-other-related-audecisions
2 For more information see document «Synthesis of lessons learned from RAIPs and NAIPs formulation andimplementation» available at https://nepad.org/sites/default/files/resourcefiles/CAADP%20Synthesis%20of%20lessons%20learned%20from%20RAIPs%20and%20NAIPs%20formulation%20and%2
0implementation.pdf
1

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networks, partners, and other stakeholders under the African Organic Conference’s
platform.
AfrONet assessed NOAMs across the continent regarding their viability to provide
technical support to strengthen their operations. This online process helped understandcritical issues and areas instrumental to the development of AfrONet’s five-year
strategic plan for 2023-2028. In addition, AfrONet has strengthened its partnership withIFOAM - Organics International and held several meetings to discuss how to support
organic farmers through NOAMs.
The West Africa Organic Network (WAfrONet), in collaboration with the region’s
EOA-I secretariat, held a side event during the 1st African Organic Research Conferencein Ibadan, Nigeria, from 6th to 8th December 2022. WAfrONet honoured Mr Ernest
Aubee (formerly Head of Agriculture at the Economic Community of West African
States Commission ECOWAS) for being a Champion of organic agriculture andagroecology in the region.
AfrONet, its partners and individual organic entrepreneurs from Tanzania, Uganda,
Kenya, and Rwanda received an online seminar on Fairtrade and organic products
between 27 June and 1 July 2022. The technical support was provided by the German
institute, Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (BBW) gGmbH. BBW has
supported AfrONet since 2018, and the training events have been instrumental inbuilding the capacity of AfrONet and its members to improve communication and theadvancement of organic agriculture in Africa.
AfrONet joined a team of actors in the East African region to support organic actors in
Kenya against the lifting of GMOs and engaged the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) on a dialogue on GMO vs organic agriculture.

5th Africa Organic Conference to be held in 2023
The 5th Africa Organic Conference planned to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, waspostponed due to unavoidable circumstances. The event will, however, be held in 2023,
after an extraordinary General Assembly of AfroNet meets to review overall planningand hosting of the every-three-year forum with further support of the African Unionand the EOA-I Continental Secretariat. The conference will bring together all organic
actors from the five political regions of Africa.

Project Innovative Institutions for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa IIABA
Under the project “Innovative Institutions for Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa”(IIABA), financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) worth 1.5 million euros(running from December 2019 to October 2023), important tools have been developed,
such as the standardisation of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) which will becascaded to all NOAMs in Africa from 2023 onwards.
The IIABA project aims to strengthen National Organic Agriculture Movements in
Tanzania, Uganda, and Morocco. Project partners include the Moroccan
Interprofessional Federation for Organic Agriculture (FIMABio), the National Organic
Agriculture Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU), the Moroccan Network of Agroecology
Initiatives (RIAM), the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), the French
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Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the French
National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE).
A digital organic market system has been established. Currently, NOGAMU in Uganda
is championing the local organic market system with the weekly organic markets in
Kampala and Entebbe's metropolitan regions. In addition, AfrONet will cascade thisorganic market system to other NOAMs across the continent with lessons learned from
Uganda.
Findings of research studies on the policy environment on agriculture by the IIABA
project areas have been disseminated to Uganda, Tanzania and Morocco project
operational countries. The IIABA project has also led to a revival of UGOCERT, anorganic certification body operating in Uganda under the supervision of NOGAMU,
which is now very vibrant in engaging different stakeholders in organic certification.

National Organic Agriculture Policy for Uganda
Other developments in Africa include special attention to the organic sub-sector bysome African governments. For example, the Government of Uganda, through the
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), distributed organic
fertilisers after establishing the National Organic Agriculture Policy (NOAP), which
was launched in the third quarter of 2021. In Uganda, many local farmers and a few
companies like Marula Proteen Company are manufacturing organic fertilisers. They
now realise more sales of organic fertilisers to farmers and exports as well, as a resultof the Russian-Ukrainian war that has led to increased costs of synthetic fertilisers. As
a result, farmers avoid expensive synthetic fertilisers and opt for organic fertilisers,
which are cheaper to purchase.

The Network of Organic Agriculture Researchers in Africa (NOARA)The Network of Organic Agriculture Researchers in Africa - NOARA (www.noara.bio)
continued working on its roles, including:− spearheading organic agriculture research, extension, training and value chainsand market development;− undertaking lobbying and advocacy on organic and ecological agriculture researchat high levels;− supporting capacity building for key players in organic and ecological agriculture
across the continent;− mobilising resources for NOARA’s endeavours in promoting organic agricultureon the continent;− providing management and administrative consultancy to like-minded
programmes and partners on organic agriculture research; and− undertaking any other functions as necessary to address NOARA’s objectives.
NOARA continued to recruit new members within Africa and outside, including
Europe and North America, with close to 400 members recruited from 29 countries,
focusing on organic agriculture and agroecology activities in Africa. The research
network published the Proceedings of the 6th West Africa Organic Conference
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Africaorganized by WAfrONet in Burkina Faso in 2021 and compiled Volume 6 of the African
Journal of Organic Agriculture and Ecology.

Organic Agriculture Research Agenda for Africa
Developing the demand-driven Organic Agriculture Research Agenda for Africa wasadvanced with a multi-stakeholder approach to improving the document’s content (tobe published in 2023). The publication should guide researchers, policymakers anddevelopment partners regarding research interventions on organic agriculture andagroecology in Africa.

1st African Organic Research Conference
The Continental Secretariat of NOARA organised the 1st African Organic Research
Conference, held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, from 6 to 8 December 2022, withover 113 participants (physical and virtual), representing various stakeholders oforganic agriculture and agroecology from about 19 countries, from Africa and outside
Africa. The event was the maiden edition of the continental conference of NOARA. The
conference participants represented researchers, farmers, journalists, policymakers andbusiness actors. The conference witnessed the presentations of a keynote address, six
lead papers, 28 scientific papers, two multi-stakeholder dialogue sessions, and one field
trip. The presentations cut across different aspects of organic and agroecologicalagriculture, from production (crop and livestock) to business aspects. The conference,with the theme “Unfavourable Climate and Food Systems in Africa: Organic andAgroecology Solutions”, came up with a call for action around the following issues:− National governments should include organic agriculture and agroecology
research in their activities through their agricultural research councils.
− The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and its regional partners
should include organic agriculture and agroecology research in their activities.
− Research should address the development of implements and equipment fororganic agriculture and agroecology production (e.g. solar irrigation facilities) toease labour constraints and other challenges facing smallholder farmers in Africa.
− Research into quality guarantee systems and agribusiness models supportingorganic trade by the private sector and governmental and non-governmentalorganisations in Africa should be stepped up.
− Development partners globally should consider supporting NOARA and otherlike-minded research bodies to raise the level of research work into organic
agriculture and agroecology research in Africa.
− Producers should be supported with technologies and innovations to conserve
indigenous seeds and to ensure sustainable conversion from conventional toorganic agriculture or agroecology, motivated by the demonstrated resilience andproductivity-enhancing features of the later systems.
Together with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, NOARA continued
to characterise smallholder-model organic farms in Africa based on sustainability
measures using participatory approaches.

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OutlookThe multiple functions and sustainable benefits of EOA, including addressing
challenges of climate change, are gaining global attention. Building on scientific andpractical evidence, multi-stakeholders in Africa, working in partnership with
development partners, are investing in innovations and opportunities for sustainable
food systems to enhance the productivity, resilience and profitability of smallholder
farming systems in Africa. Investments in research, developing ecologically sustainablesystems and working on markets for organic produce would guarantee sustainable
food systems in Africa. Therefore, the desired food systems in Africa should beecological, maintain ecosystem services and restore, build and maintain natural
resources, particularly soil, water and biodiversity. A better future for the organic sector
requires African governments, their relevant institutions, farmers, farmerorganisations, development partners and the private sector to invest resources in
research, policy and programmes to establish platforms for experience-sharing,learning and collaboration, thereby building the basis for poverty reduction andsustainable, long-term food and nutrition security.

References
African Union, Executive Council (2011). Decision on organic farming. Doc. EX.CL/631 (XVIII). Eighteenth Ordinary Session. 24–28
January 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Available at http://www.au.int/en/sites/default/files/decisions/9646
council_en_24_28_january_2011_executive_council_eighteenth_ordinary_session.pdf.
Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative, Continental Steering Committee (2015). The Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA)
Initiative. 2015–2025 Strategic Plan. EOA Continental Steering Committee, African Union Commission.
Mordor Intelligence (2021). Africa Biofertilizer Market: Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact and Forecast (2021–2026). Retrieved fromwww.mordorintelligence.com on 13 September 2021.

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Africa › Kenya

Kenya
SAMUEL NDUNGU1 AND MARTIN NJOROGE2
Recent developments
Despite a sluggish economy, Kenya's organic sector has continued to thrive in recent
years. Exports of organic products continue to dominate organic sector development.
Also, most land under conversion is intended for export production. Kenya is wellknown for its production of a variety of organic fruits, nuts, essential oils, herbs, spices,
coffee, tea, and flowers, which are all in high demand globally. The country's tropicalclimate, the location near Europe and the Middle East, plus continuously improving
infrastructure make it an ideal place for cultivating and exporting these relatively highvalue products.
Regarding the domestic market, established supermarkets and organic retail stores
have further solidified their position and increased their organic supply, while farmers’markets selling organic products have expanded beyond the capital city of Nairobi.
There has also been an increase in land used for organic farming and local consumptionof organic products. Awareness and demand for organic foods have grown,
particularly among middle- and upper-income groups. This trend can partly be
attributed to campaigns by the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) to
educate the public about organic food and increasing concern over the use of toxic
pesticides in conventional agriculture. The sector's growth has also been aided by the
implementation of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative and Knowledge Hub
for East Africa projects, led by Biovision Africa Trust (BVAT) and implemented byvarious civil society organisations.
The recent decision by the government to lift the ban on genetically modified organisms(GMOs) has given the sector some reason for concern. However, the Law Courts
temporarily halted this decision after local organisations raised injunctions opposing
the government’s move. The cultivation of GMO crops is likely to increase costs fororganic operators, as land costs are likely to increase, GMO testing might become
necessary in certain crops, and access to indigenous crop varieties will involve higher
costs for the need to implement biosafety standards. For the domestic market, however,the GMO debate is likely to stimulate awareness among consumers in favour of organic
produce, helping to boost organic demand.

Samuel Ndungu, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network KOAN, CPA Centre, Block A Room 12B, P.O. Box
2893-00100 Nairobi, www.koan.co.ke
2 Martin Njoroge, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network KOAN, CPA Centre, Block A Room 12B, P.O. Box
2893-00100 Nairobi, www.koan.co.ke
1

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Markets, trade and certification schemes
Kenya's organic sector remains heavily focused on exporting products, with around 90
percent of all organic products targeting the export market, primarily EU countries.
Thus, EU organic certification is the most popular among certified operations, while the
USDA/NOP certification for the US market is the second most popular. Other emerging
markets and certification programs include Japan's JAS and China's organic standards.
The most commonly exported organic products include fruits, especially avocados,
nuts, macadamia, herbs, spices, and essential oils. In the local market, the most popularorganic products are fruits and vegetables (99.2 percent), livestock products (0.6
percent), value-added products (0.1 percent) and cereals (0.06 percent) (see Table 49).
Table 49: Local organic product categories
Product categories

Volume [kg]% of total

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Livestock products
Value added products
Cereals

377’808
2’304
480
240

99.2%
0.6%
0.1%
0.1%

Total

380’832

100.0%

Source: KOAN annual market survey 2022

As most organic crops for exports relate to smallholder production schemes (such as
cashew and macadamia nuts, and avocados), Internal Control Systems (ICS) are widelyused in Kenya. Currently, over 50’000 contracted farmers in Kenya are ICS-certified, anumber that has been steadily increasing since 2007. Implementing the new EU
regulation (848/2018) brings a high degree of uncertainty, as exporters will only be able
to work with self-organised farmer groups that are limited in size, having a maximumof 2’000 farmers as members.
As data collection for local markets improves from year to year, the contribution of
growing domestic market segments is becoming more apparent. Here, organic
certification relates mainly to the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) as stipulated
in the Kilimohai Organic certification scheme, respectively, the East Africa Organic
Products Standards (EAOPS)1. As the cost of third-party certification from local
certification companies is prohibitively expensive for smallholder farmers, PGS
certification is a viable option for them to access the domestic market. Currently, 1’587
farmers registered under 24 PGS covering over 1’450 hectares of land, with many moreproducing organic products in groups but not formally approved yet as PGS groups(Table 51). Most PGS groups started by producing fruits and vegetables for thedomestic market. In the meantime, those with strong commercial partnerships havestarted to diversify and grow other crops that are in demand (e.g., herbs, spices, roots
and tubers).
Within Kenya, supermarkets are the primary avenue for retailing organic products,
with 16 stores having designated organic sections and 36 selling some organic products.

1

Website of Kilimohai, housed under the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network – https://kilimohaikenya.org
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Africa › Kenya
Additionally, organic products can be purchased through over ten organic farmers
markets, 18 healthy stores, nine green grocery stores, one organic restaurant, and two
online marketing platforms. These platforms offer over 54 different organic producttypes which are seasonally available.
Sourcing, which has been the primary challenge in getting organic products to market,
is continuously improving as various PGS groups, together with traders, have
improved their logistics to supply greater volumes of regionally available products ofgood quality. Some PGS groups have also started to sell part of their organic produce
in local markets and got involved in processing (e.g., drying herbs and spices). Bothhave helped to reduce logistical challenges, which remain together with supply quality,
the main challenge for further organic market development within Kenya.
Table 50: Kenya: Development of organic local market and exports
Year

Local market sales value (Kenyan Shillings1)

2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Export market value (Kenyan Shillings)

123’660.00
1’524’168.00
3’679’289.00
6’272’739.003

22’025’882.35
31’373’725.49
49’162’009.80
126’944’313.73
174’367’760.00
210’784’313.73
238’823’529.41
288’235’294.12
306’960’784.31
362’407’407.41
360’714’285.71
399’130’434.78
466’034’482.762––

Source: KOAN annual market surveys 2008-2022

Legislation and sector support
The process of developing a National Organic Agriculture Policy in Kenya began in2010 when KOAN, together with other actors, developed a working group with the
Ministry of Agriculture Policy Department. The aim was to develop a legal framework
to guide the organic sector's development. Yet, the development of this policy faced
several challenges, going hand in hand with structural changes within the Ministry ofAgriculture, implying limited government commitment to define and support soundmeasures with its own budget and staff. The implementation of the Ecological Organic
Agriculture Initiative in 2012 has improved networking and provided a platform for
more engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture and other non-state actors. Since
2019, the government has increased its commitment again by kick-starting thedevelopment of an organic agriculture strategy led by the Intersectoral Forum for

One Kenyan Shilling corresponded to approximately 0.00747865 euros in 2022.
Approximately 3.5 million euros.
3 This corresponded to about 47'000 euros.
1
2

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Africa › Kenya
Agroecology and Agribusiness (ISFAA), which is chaired by the Ministry ofAgriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MOALF) and includes participation from nonstate actors and relevant government departments. Currently, the process is continuingwith a work plan implemented in the third quarter of 2022. The ministry is still seeking
support from participating organisations due to budgetary constraints to finance theprocess.
At the county government level, significant strides have been made in promoting
organic agriculture. In November 2022, Murang’a County Government signed the
Murang’a Agroecology Bill 2022 into law, which includes provisions such as setting
aside at least 10 percent of the county's agriculture budget to support organic
agriculture and establishing an Organic Agriculture Board to advise on thedevelopment of organic agriculture matters. Murang’a County was one of the first torecognise the importance of organic agriculture. It had already started a subsidy
program for organic fertilisers in 2015, leading to a significant increase in horticulturaland fruit production. Other counties, including Kiambu and Busia, are also in theprocess of developing agroecology policies as a means to promote and support organic
agriculture through tangible measures.
Most support to the organic sector in Kenya is channelled through the Kenya Organic
Agriculture Network (KOAN) and local NGOs supporting individual organic farmergroups. KOAN was founded as a membership organisation in 2005. Its membership
includes farmer groups, associations, community-based organisations, NGOs, traders,
exporters, organic input suppliers, service providers, organic consumer lobby groups
and parastatals. KOAN is governed by an elected board from its membership and has
a secretariat to implement its activities. Its mission is to lead, coordinate and foster
public exposure to the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Sector while revealing
its importance in generating relevant economic, environmental and social benefits.
KOAN’s services include capacity development, providing advisory, creating linkages
and market support, lobbying and advocating for pro-organic policies, consumerawareness and education and guiding in organic standards and certification. For
instance, in partnership with local NGOs and as the National Coordinating Body for
PGS, KOAN is engaged in capacity-building activities among PGS groups and along
different value chains. Thereby, a significant share of these activities are supported byinternational project funding, especially from Switzerland and Sweden. These haveallowed KOAN to support the organic sector beyond the possibilities that membershipfees would allow.
Currently, in partnership with FiBL Switzerland, two complementary projects are
running that aim to significantly strengthen the organic sector in Kenya with a strong
market-oriented focus: “Accelerating the Organic Market Development in Kenya”1 andProject Accelerating the Organic Market Development in Kenya –https://www.fibl.org/en/themes/projectdatabase/projectitem/project/2168

1

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Africa › Kenya“Organic Influencer Marketing – Improving Market Access for Farmers andStrengthening Demand for Organic Products through Social Media in Kenya”.1
Organic extension services are implemented by varying actors. However, publicorganic extension is very limited. As the responsibility for agriculture extension
services was transferred to county governments, only those counties engage in suchactivities where there is an interest in promoting organic agriculture, especially forexport. Thus, most training and extension services are provided by non-state actors.2
Organic research is minimal and relates to special project funding, as the government
currently provides no specific support. Yet, as part of FiBL’s SysCom Program3, theKenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), in partnership with
the Institute of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) based in Kenya, has been
conducting long-term trials comparing organic and conventional systems with somestudy results already published and more expected in the future. Universities, such as
Egerton University, have also contributed to participatory trials focused on validatingorganic farming technologies and indigenous knowledge, mainly through the
Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I).4.In addition, a significant amount ofrelevant research on organic agriculture has been collected and collated throughvarious partners. Databases have been developed to make this information available,
including the saferinputs.koan.co.ke database, which promotes integrated pest
management and helps farmers identify potential risks from synthetic chemical active
ingredients while providing safer alternatives. The CABI crop protection compendium
and bioprotection portals also provide similar services, recommending off-the-shelforganic solutions for common pests and diseases.

Outlook
The excellent production conditions for a wide range of organic products coupled withthe proximity to the European and Middle East markets, the steadily improving
infrastructure and the growing interest from the side of domestic consumers are all
factors that further stimulate the organic sector in Kenya.
Similar to other countries in the South, the export-oriented organic sector will bechallenged by the new EU regulation (848/2018), implying important changes inconceptualising contract farming with smaller and self-organised ICS farmer groups.
This may lead to a reduction of the export volume in some cases while favouring theimplementation of own plantations, but which will delay the delivery of produce. Yet,as logistics within the country will be further improving and importers are keen to

Project Organic Influencer Marketing – Improving Market Access for Farmers and Strengthening Demand
for Organic Products through Social Media in Kenya –https://www.fibl.org/en/themes/projectdatabase/projectitem/project/2019
2 Not state actors include such as the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network KOAN, Biovision Africa Trust,
PELUM Kenya, SACDEP Kenya, Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF), YARD, Community Sustainable
Agriculture and Healthy Environment Program CSHEP, Africa Centre for Energy Policy ACEP, Baraka
Agriculture College and Manor House Agriculture College.
3 Farming Systems Comparison in the Tropics https://systems-comparison.fibl.org/
4 Website of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative https://eoai-africa.org/
1

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Africa › Kenya
lower shipment distances and the carbon footprint, Kenya is likely to increase its
competitiveness for organic production compared to competing countries in the region
and South America – especially with foreign investors making the needed funds andknowhow available for such development.
For the further development of the domestic market, sound value chain development
will remain the focus of attention to balance demand and supply as both are likely to
expand in terms of volume and number of products. Thus, the need for mechanisms tofacilitate a functional exchange of different organic sector stakeholders will grow, with
KOAN in the pole position to respond to this demand. With the increased consumerawareness and the growing demand for organic produce, different markets need to be
the focus: supermarket retail, online shopping platforms, and organic farmers markets.
The ever-increasing demand for organic produce from consumers is likely also tostimulate imports of organic products, which is currently still very low, withapproximately 1 percent. This is likely also to create new trading opportunities withneighbouring countries, e.g., Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, who work with the same
PGS certification system, respectively, the “Kilimohai Organic” label.
Given the high share of smallholders involved in organic production in Kenya,strengthening both ICS and PGS-certified farmer groups will remain a key priority forboth export and domestic organic market development. This calls for further public andprivate support to enhance organisational and technical capacities among farmergroups and their lead farmers. Yet, such support must be well conceptualised andimplemented for effective empowerment, i.e., in the form of networking events thatprovide space for mutual learning and interactions and new promising partnerships.
As an umbrella organisation in the organic sector, KOAN will play a key role while
making sure that public actors are getting more engaged and committed in thisdevelopment pathway. Organic sector statistics will be made available to nurture suchinteractions and sound decision-making at different levels.

Weblinks› Kenya Ecological Organic Agriculture Sector Strategy (2018-2023) – https://www.koan.co.ke/eoa-sectorstrategic-plan/› Organic Directory – www.koan.co.ke› KOAN institutional profile – https://www.koan.co.ke/koan-profile/› KOAN website «Replacing Harmful Agricultural Practices in Kenyan Market with Less Toxic
Alternatives” – www.saferinputs.koan.co.ke› Kilimohai Organic – Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) – https://kilimohaikenya.org› CABI Biocontrol and biopesticide products – BioProtection Portal – https://bioprotectionportal.com› CABI Digital Library – https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/

Acknowledgement
This article was elaborated in the framework of the project ‘Accelerating the Organic Market Development in
Kenya’, which is being implemented by KOAN together with FiBL Switzerland; the project is jointly fundedby the Leopold Bachmann Foundation and Biovision Foundation, both based in Switzerland. The PGS
development in Kenya has been supported by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) throughthe Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOAI) and the Sustainable Supply for Organic Fruits andVegetables Project.

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Table 51: Registered PGS groups in Kenya
Members

CountyLand size(hectares)

Main ProductLanga women organic self
help group

16

Nakuru12.1

Fresh Vegetables
and fruits

KAMICHA -KOBONDO
MALANDO25
349

KisumuNakuru21.4
706.2

MAISHA BORA ORGANIC

15

Muranga

9.3

Group

RUMA ORGANICFARMERS ASSOCIATIONMUKIKA30

Homabay

60.7

32

Tharaka Nithi

26.3

Cassava
Honey
Chamomile,honey,
vegetables
Peanut Butter,grain amaranth
ChickenGACABARI

18

Embu

6.1

ChickenYETANA W.G

27

Bungoma

13.4

Ngong Organic Farmers
Association46

Kajiado

36.4

Maria Clara98

Nakuru

59.1

Dairy

Kanyodero Women Group46

Migori20.2

INNOGOF18

Nairobi

8.9

Baraka PGS groups

97

Baringo

72.8

ISEMBE FAT

40

Kakamega

32.4

ORON CBO

32

Baringo20.2

Peanut butter
Fresh Vegetables
and fruits, herbs,
value added
products
Honey
Indigenous
vegetables
Honey

Mbanga pgs

191

Ololo Pgs GROUP

26

Kajiado

42.1

SOFA GROUP

30

Machakos

36.4

Thogoto Organic group16

Kiambu4.9

Fresh Vegetables

3000 Nooya

25

Kajiado

8.1

Muranga Organic Farmers
Cooperative society

190

Muranga

79.3

Machakos Organic Farmers
Cooperative society

185

Machakos

80.9

Kabare Organic farmers

20

Kirinyaga

8.1

Kikuyu Organic Farmers
Market15

Kiambu8.1

Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Vegetables,
Fruits, Tubers
and Dried Herbs
Fruits,Vegetables, dried
herbs and spices
Fresh Vegetables,
Roots and tubers
Fresh Vegetables,
dried herbs andspicesTotals

1’587

76.9

Banana andbutternut
Fresh Vegetables
and fruits

Fresh
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables,
poultry andhoney
Fruits(Mango,pawpaw
and passion)

StatusRegistered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered and Approved
Registered and approved
Registered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered and Approved
Registered and approved
Registered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered and Approved
Registered and Approved
Registered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered and Approved
Registered and Approved
Registered and Approved
Registered and Approved
Registered and Approved
Registered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered and Approved
Registered – Still underdevelopment (NotApproved)
Registered and approved
Registered and approved

Registered and approved
Registered and approved
Registered and approved

1’450.4

Source: KOAN annual PGS survey 2022

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Organic Agriculture in Africa: Key Facts and Figures
JAN TRÁVNÍČEK1, BERNHARD SCHLATTER2 AND HELGA WILLER3
In 2021, the organic sector’s development in Africa was characterised by continued
growth in all key indicators.

Nearly 2.7 million hectares of farmland were organic in Africa in 2021 – Uganda
had the largest area
In Africa, nearly 2.7 million hectares were managed organically in 2021. Almost 3.5%of the world’s organic farmland was in Africa. With more than 505’000 hectares,
Uganda had the largest farmland area under organic management, followed by
Ethiopia (over 332’000 hectares), Tanzania (almost 287´000 hectares) and Tunisia,
formerly the country with the largest organic farmland area in Africa (over 279´000
hectares). More than half of Africa’s organic farmland was in these four countries.

African organic farmland increased by more than 392'903 hectares
Organic land increased by more than 392'903 hectares in Africa in 2021, representing an
increase of 17.3 per cent. In the decade 2012 to 2021, organic farmland grew by 133 percent and thus at a faster rate as global organic farmland.

Sao Tome and Prince is the country with the highest organic area share in Africa
Organic farmland in Africa constituted 0.2 percent of the total agricultural land of thecontinent and was thus below the global organic area share of 1.6 percent in 2021.
The country with the highest organic area share was Sao Tomé and Principe, with animpressive share of 21.1 percent, thus making it on the world list of 20 countries withan organic area share of more than 10 percent of total farmland (and one of the six
countries with a higher area share of 20 percent). Sao Tomé and Principe was followedby Sierra Leone and Réunion, which both had an organic farmland share of at least 4
percent.

Key crops grown are coffee, textile crops, and cocoa
Almost two thirds of the organic farmland in Africa is for permanent crops (1’747’781
hectares). Among the key crops was coffee (313’325 hectares), mainly from Ethiopia,
cocoa (287’655 hectares) mainly from Sierra Leone and olives (264’445 hectares) mainly
from Tunisia.
Arable land accounted for approximately 30 percent of total organic land in Africa in
2021. Among the key crops were textile crops (303’936 hectares) mainly from Tanzania,
oilseeds (219’851 hectares) mainly from Togo, and root crops (65’939 hectares).

Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
2

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Africa › Statistics
Organic producers, processors and importers: Data situation not satisfactory
There were more than 1'123'000 organic producers in Africa, with the largest numbers
in Uganda (more than 400’000). Almost one-third of the world’s organic producers werein Africa. Compared to 2020, over 155'000 (16 percent up) organic producers werecounted, mainly due to the fact the updates were received for Uganda as well as for all
countries where Ecocert Southern Africa is active. However, not all certifiers – who are
the main source for data from Africa - provide data on the number of individual
producers; hence it may be assumed that the number of producers is higher than thenumber shown in this report. A total of 1’011 exporters and 1’739 processers werecounted. Again, reporting is not consistent over the years, and the data is not complete.

Retail sales: Data almost non-existent
Organic retail sales for Africa do not exist. Kenya is the only country that provides dataoccasionally. This does, however, not mean that there is no domestic market for organic
products in Africa. Many countries have developed local markets.

Organic exports – strong growth
While data on the domestic market are almost not non-existent, data on organic export
volumes in metric tons to the European Union, which is the major export market for
Africa, has been available since 2018. Export data to the US has been available even for
longer (since 2014) but are less significant (7 percent of EU/US organic export in 2021)
and do not cover all export products.
Data show that in 2021 almost 460’000 metric tons of products were exported fromAfrica to the EU and US, constituting 10 percent of all organic exports to thesecountries/trade blocks. In the 4-year period 2018 to 2020, African exports increased byalmost 60 percent, thus considerably faster than global organic exports to the EU and
US, which grew by only 5 percent in the same period.

Togo is the largest exporter
The largest African exporter was Togo (more than 72’000 metric tons of products, halfof it soybeans), followed by Tunisia (68’000 metric tons, mainly olive oil) and Egypt(52’000 metric tons, mainly potatoes and onions).

Soybeans are the most important export productWith more than 93’000 metric tons and more than 20 percent of the African organic
exports, soybeans and soybean products was the most important product group,
followed by oils (63’000 metric tons, mainly olive oil) and bananas (44’000 metric tons).

Conclusion
Especially the export data show that organic agriculture in Africa is on strong growthpath. The data also show a major need for better data, as facts displayed in the export
data do not always reflect what is found in the area data. A major problem is the lackof organic data for organic operators, in particular for organic farmers working in ICS.
For more information about organic in Africa see figures and data tables on thefollowing pages.
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Organic Agriculture in Africa: Graphs

Figure 59: Africa: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 60: Africa: The countries with the highest organic share of total agriculturalland 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

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Africa › Statistics

Figure 61: Africa: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021
Source: FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL-surveys 2001-2023

Figure 62: Africa: Use of organic agricultural land 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

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Africa › Statistics

Figure 63: Africa: Commodities exported to the EU and US (export volume in MT)
Source: TRACES/European Commission, GATS/ USDA, compiled by FiBL. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

Figure 64: Africa: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export volume in MT)
Source: TRACES/European Commission/GATS USDA, compiled by FiBL. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

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191

Africa › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in Africa: Tables
Table 52: Africa: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural land andnumber of organic producers 2021
Country
Algeria
Benin
Burkina Faso
BurundiCameroon
Comoros
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the
Congo
Egypt
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Liberia
Madagascar
MalawiMali
Mauritius
MayotteMoroccoMozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Réunion (France)
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
SenegalSierra Leone
South Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
UgandaZambiaZimbabwe
Total

Area [ha]Share of total
agri. land [%]Producers [no.]772
48'89879'285
549
1'594
937
78'78389'486

0.0%
1.2%
0.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.7%
0.4%
0.3%

64
9'046
27'021
668
632
637
2'990
94'718116'000
3'539
332'519
38'260
128'018
2'791
95'083324
17'840
13
114
11'45241'048384
58'028
2'100
4'696
9'291
3'262
193'954
97'359960
286'627
130'858
279'389505'308
3'376
1'085

3.0%
0.3%
0.9%
0.3%
0.5%
0.1%
0.2%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.6%
0.0%
0.1%
0.0010%
0.1%
4.4%
0.3%
21.1%
0.0%
4.9%
0.1%
0.0%
0.7%
3.4%
2.9%
3.5%
0.0%
0.0%

970
3
218'175
3'433
44'56561'974
3
11'608
1
9
423
1'358
15
2'308
427
8'930
4'201
18'372
5'507
1'307
1
148'607
19'7097'101
404'246
10'872
10'3792'663'983

0.2%

1'123'255

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338*Total number includes data for countries with less than three operators.

Table 53: Africa: Land use in organic agriculture 2021
Land use

Crop group

Agricultural land and crops, no details
Arable land crops

192

Area [ha]Cereals
Dry pulses
Fallow land
Fallow land, crop rotation
Flowers and ornamental plants

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

42'47316'510
3'563
14'885447
15Africa › Statistics
Land use

Permanent crops total
Permanent grassland

Area [ha]38'88198
49'425219'851
10'75765'9394976
7'540
303'936
79'160811'988
9'537
864
7'204
287'655
4'069
313'325
10
3'345
124'11416
5'129
64'342
3
259'006
15'85524'280173'869
374'118
52'197

Total

2'663'980

Arable land crops total
Other agricultural land
Permanent crops

Crop group
Fresh vegetables and melons
Industrial crops
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Oilseeds
Plants harvested green
Root crops
Seeds and seedlings
Strawberries
Sugarcane
Textile crops
Arable crops, other

Berries
Citrus fruit
Cocoa
Coconut
CoffeeFruit
Fruit of temperate climate zones
Fruit, tropical and subtropicalFruit/nuts/berries
GrapesMedicinal and aromatic plants, permanent
Nurseries
Nuts
Oleaginous fruits
Tea/mate, etc.
Permanent crops, other

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Table 54: Africa: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country
Country
Algeria
Benin
Burkina Faso
BurundiCameroon
Comoros
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Egypt
EthiopiaEswatini
Ghana
Kenya
Liberia
Madagascar
MalawiMali
Mauritius

Arable land crops

18'94010'641
361
66
347
181
1'665
96'48421'072
3
10'137
10'901
8'777
213
14'2407

Permanent crops
772
15'39168'644
188
1'528
590
78'60287'821
19'003291'499
3'463
28'123117'117
2'791
85'846111
3'601
6FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Permanent
grassland

459
73

312

193

Africa › Statistics
Country

Arable land crops

Permanent crops

97
1'969
35'797343
55'183
1'208
106

MayotteMoroccoMozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Réunion (France)
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
SenegalSierra Leone
South Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
UgandaZambiaZimbabwe243'284
113'188
5'793
141'486
3'375
784

14
9'484
5'031
37
241
688
4'590
9'291
2'691
193'954
24'170960
43'328
12'382271'702363'8211
301

Grand Total

811'988

1'747'781

571
14'771

Permanent
grassland1

196

51'15552'197

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Table 55: Africa: All organic areas 2021
Country

Agriculture[ha]

Algeria
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
BurundiCameroon
Chad
Comoros
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the
Congo
Egypt
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
LesothoLiberia
Madagascar
MalawiMali
Mauritius
MayotteMoroccoMozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Réunion (France)
Rwanda194

Forest[ha]

Wildcollection[ha]

Other nonagri. land
[ha]

Total
[ha]

772
48'897772
48'897
6'380
167'045549
6'194
808'806937
78'783

6'380
87'76079'285
549
1'594

4'600
808'806937
78'78389'486116'000
3'539
332'519
38'260
128'018
2'791
95'082324
17'840
13
114
11'45241'048384
58'028
2'100
4'696

7'163
142'232355'530
1'551'891
218

3'235
14'795335'306
1'842'285
2'313'989
74

2

24

89'486116'000
3'539
339'682
180'493483'548
1'551'891
2'791
98'535324
32'635
13
114
346'759
1'883'333
2'314'397
58'0282'176
4'696

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Africa › Statistics
Country

Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
SomaliaSouth Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
UgandaZambiaZimbabwe
Total

Agriculture[ha]

Forest
[ha]

9'291
3'262

Wild
collection[ha]

Other nonagri. land[ha]

15'258
1'223

193'954
97'359960
286'627
130'858
279'389505'307
3'376
1'085
2'663'980

137

1'364'697
991'562
98'0442'762

141'36666
2'500'000
308'850
41'79512'756'436

25

Total
[ha]
9'291
18'520
1'223
193'954
1'364'697
1'089'058
99'004289'389
130'858
320'755
505'373
2'503'376
309'935
15'462'235

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338

Table 56: Africa: Use of wild collection areas 2021
Land use

Area [ha]Bee pastures
Coffee, wild
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild
Nuts, wild collection
Fruit, wild collection
Oil plants, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Rose hips, wild collection
Marula, wild collection
Wild collection, no details

2'501'638
6'442
103'775812'291
2'002'082
33'6772'501'929
2'412'936
10'0002'356'527

Total

12'756'436

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 57: Africa: Organic exports to the EU and US by country
Country

Export to EU and USA [MT]Algeria
AngolaBenin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
BurundiCameroon
Chad
Comoros
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Ethiopia
Ghana

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

2'919
9
7'708
0.3
17'558
73
288
610
42
35'481
12'60818
52'07317'03630'398195

Africa › Statistics
Country

Export to EU and USA [MT]GuineaGuinea-Bissau
Kenya
LesothoMadagascar
MalawiMali
Mauritius
MoroccoMozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
SomaliaSouth Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
UgandaZambiaZimbabwe

44
426
9'749
793
6'947
3'566
4'736
296
21'246
5'311
14
700
906
730
4'888
2'891
24
16'23659
28'450
4'997
4'788
72'73168'07922'866
93
314

Total

458'702

Source: TRACES/European Commission/GATS USDA, compiled by FiBL. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

Table 58: Africa: Organic exports to the EU and US by product group group
Product group

Export to EU and USA [MT]Aquaculture products
Bee products
Berries
Beverages
Cereals
Citrus fruit
Cocoa
Cocoa, chocolate and sugar confectionery
Cocoa, chocolate and sugar confectionery, no details
Coconut
CoffeeDry pulses and protein crops for the production of grain
Feedstuffs
Fish and fish products
Flowers and ornamental plants
Food additives
Fresh vegetables and melons
Fruit
Fruit of temperate climate zones
Fruit, berries and nuts, prepared and preserved
Fruit, tropical and subtropical

196

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1'615
280
627
1'111
126
16'48533'23332
129
3'425
18'784
151
90
217
9
950
19'60183
63
24'46077'737

Africa › Statistics
Product group

Export to EU and USA [MT]Grain mill products
GrapesHot beverages (Coffee, tea and cacao etc.)
InputsMedicinal and aromatic plants
Medicinal and aromatic plants, permanentMushrooms, prepared and preserved
Non-food products
Noodles, couscous, etc.
Nuts
Oilseeds
OlivesOther food products and product groups
Permanent crops, otherPrepared food, no details
Processed and prepared fruits and vegetables
Root crops
SeaweedSeeds and seedlings
Spices and aromatics
Strawberries
Sugar
Sugarcane
Tea/mate, etc.
Vegetable and animal oils and fats
Vegetables, prepared and preserved
Yeast and other single cell micro-organisms

882
3'433
1'244
2
2'708
1'324
0
8'671
15
5'820
109'969
8'191
17
5'582
97
4'924
15'474
1
2'685
1'230
197
9'408
1
59
72'289
5'272
1

Total

458'702

Source: TRACES/European Commission/GATS USDA, compiled by FiBL. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

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AsiaMap 3: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Asia 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023 based on information from the private sector, certifiers, governments, and the Mediterranean
Organic Agricultural Network (MOAN) for the Mediterranean countries
For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

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Developments in the Organic Sector in Asia in 2022
COMPILED BY IFOAM ORGANICS ASIA1
The year 2022 continued the increasing developments in the organic sector throughout
the Asian region. It was evident from the contributing countries that organic activities
are resuming after a few years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the Implementation Planof the “14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of thePeople's Republic of China and the Outline of Long-term Goals for 2035”. The Plan
proposes to improve the green agricultural standard system and strengthen thecertification management of green food, organic products, and geographical indicationof agricultural products. The 15th Biofach China held in 2021 noted a 50 percent
increase in the number of participating companies from the previous year.
The recognition of Participatory Guarantee Systems continued in India, Indonesia,
Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines and Vietnam, addressing the need of the domestic markets.
In India, more than one million hectares of agricultural land have been brought under
PGS2 certification, with an estimated crop production of 0.8 million metric tons. In
Kyrgyzstan, a regulation on the certification system was developed, including
certification under PGS. In the Philippines, the 2020 Republic Act 11511 approved theaccreditation of the first Participatory Guarantee System organic certification bodyfrom Tublay, Benguet.
Japan saw the launch of the “Organic Village” project by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to stimulate the growth of the organic share to 25 percent
by 2050. In addition, local organic groups and NGOs initiated discussions on usingorganic food ingredients in school meals.
Similarly, IFOAM Organics Asia also successfully hosted the “1st International
Conference on School Meals and Public Procurement” in cooperation with the Global
Alliance of Organic Districts and the new Taipei City Government.
Vietnam saw an increase in the number of local governments implementing organic
agriculture from 46 in 2018 to 57 in 2021. It is estimated that in 62 provinces, organic
agriculture was practiced.

Bangladesh
There has been an increasing demand for organic products, mainly spices, vegetables,
dried fish, and chicken eggs. Some young entrepreneurs have started producing andmarketing dried fish following organic practices. “Purity” organic dried fish is now
widely marketed in Bangladesh with the technical cooperation of the Bangladesh

12

For list of authors see end of article.
PGS = Participatory Guarantee System. For more information see PGS chapter in this book.

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Asia
Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI). Nutrition-enriched organic eggs are marketed byRahmania Organic Agro, which are tested and certified by the Bangladesh Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR).
Organics Nutrition Limited, an IFOAM member, initiated an interesting organic
functional food research and business. The product, “Karkuma,” the first functional
food product certified by USDA Organic, is now marketed domestically and in theprocess of exporting abroad. Another notable development in the organic sector is theformation of a private certification body, “Organic Certification Bangladesh” (OCB),
now under the approval stage from the Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB). It will
help secure the organic integrity of the products for the domestic market.
Urban organic agriculture has also been steadily increasing, with many urban dwellers
taking up rooftop gardening with the technical support and advocacy by associations
like ”Green Bangladesh.” Local government agencies such as Dhaka City Corporations(North and South) give tax waiver incentives for such practitioners. In addition, digitalsolutions for organic food traceability and supply chain management, such as
SourceTrace, Permeeda and app-based platforms on recycling waste management andorganic fertiliser, seem promising interventions and initiatives in the organic sector.

China
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the Implementation Plan of the“14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's
Republic of China and the Outline of Long-term Goals for 2035”. The plan proposes toimprove the green agricultural standard system and strengthen the certification
management of green food, organic products and geographical indication ofagricultural products.
By the end of 2022, 105 certifiers were officially registered, and 75 certifiers issued
organic certificates in 2021. To improve the organic product certification system andstandardise the use and management of organic product certificates and marks, CNCA1
has revised the Certificate Numbering Rules and Certification Mark Coding Rules in
the annexe to the Organic Product Certification Implementation Rules (CNCA
Announcement No. 21, 2019) issued on November 6, 2019. The revised rules were
issued and implemented on July 6, 2022, with a transition period until December 31,
2023, and full implementation from January 1, 2024.
In order to promote the certification of organic products, the State Administration forMarket Regulation (SAMR) launched a national publicity week from September 19 to
23, 2022, with the theme “Organic product certification: Help the industry to enjoy thebeauty of ecology”. In July 2022, the Certification Supervision Department of SAMR
organised the collection of “Good Practice Cases of Organic Product Certification” andreceived a total of 127 cases. Thirty cases were selected and officially announced on theplatform.

1

Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA); see http://www.cn-organic.org.cn

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Asia
The 15th Biofach China was held in Shanghai in May 2021, with 213 companies
participating from six countries and regions worldwide, a 50 percent increase over theprevious year. An online real-time broadcast called “Mr Organic” attracted visitors
virtually to the exhibition in an innovative way.

India
The Government of India promotes natural farming systems through the “National
Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)”, with an initial allocation of 158 billion Indianrupees1 for four years starting 2022-23. NMNF proposes to develop 15’000 clusters of
50 hectares each in villages involving more than 1.5 million farmers.
During 2022, India saw a more extensive acceptance of Participatory Guarantee
Systems (PGS) in organic sector development. More than one million hectares ofagricultural land are under PGS certification, with an estimated crop production of 0.8
million tons. This is in addition to the third-party certified organic sector and certified
wild collection.2 2023 has been announced as the International Year of Millets. Support
will be provided for post-harvest value addition, enhancing domestic consumption andbranding millet products nationally and internationally.3
The Indian organic market is further expected to grow at a CAGR of about 20.5 percent
in the forecast period of 2021 and 2026.4

Indonesia
Since 2021, Indonesia Organic Alliance, an IFOAM member, has been promoting
Participatory Guarantee Systems, locally called “PAMOR”. This initiative reached four
provinces and 43 groups of farmers. In 2022, 13 PAMOR units with more than 574
farmers were involved, covering more than 96 hectares of organic land.
The promotion of organic agriculture has been developed through local regulations.
Since 2021, there have been seven local government acts on organic agriculture, andthis trend is currently being replicated in other local government units.

Iran
The domestic market for organic products in Iran is still relatively small. With
increasing awareness and knowledge among consumers of organic products being
healthy, chemical-free and without artificial substances, they are also recognised associally and economically fair to the producers, especially smallholder farmers.

158 billion Indian rupees corresponded approximately to 1.8 billion euros or 1.9 billion US dollars in 2022.
National Center for Organic and Natural Farming: Participatory Organic Guarantee System for India. Moreinformation is available at https://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in.
3 Government of India, Budget 2022-2023. Available athttps://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/budget_speech.pdf
4 The times of India, August 16, 2022: Organic farming: The future of India’s agro-economy. Available athttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com › blogs › organic farming: future of India’s agro-ecology
1
2

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The European Union is one of the leading importers of Iranian organic products.
Despite no changes in organic agricultural lands in recent years, there has been an
increase in exports of organic products, such as sumac1, rose flower, liquorice, ferula
gummosa2 and barberry3.
Nowadays, there are many organic shops not only in the capital of Teheran but also
throughout the 15 provinces in the country. Organic shops and dozens of online shops
operate under the supervision of the Iran Organic Association (IOA), which provides
support for market development and organic stakeholders. Since 2011, IOA has
conducted an annual international congress and various workshops, and it promotes
organic business through international and national networking.
An updated version of the “Requirement of production, processing, inspection &certification, labelling and marketing of organic food (INSO - 11000)” was published by
the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) in 2021, in cooperation
with universities and private companies.
Several institutions, including the Environmental Sciences Research Institute of Shahid
Beheshti University in Tehran, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and the Islamic
Azad University, Karaj Branch, carry out research programs on organic agriculture
production, processing and marketing.

Iraq4
The Ministry of Agriculture in Iraq adopted an approach of using organic alternatives
to fertilisers and pesticides and established a project in each province. The project wasdeveloped in the Najaf Agriculture Directorate by treating plant waste throughcomposting with the addition of some biological stimulants.
In 2022, more than 20 percent of Iraqi farmers grew organic products. The number ofcompanies marketing organic products increased from 22 to 76 between 2003 and 2022.

1 Sumac is any of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera in the cashew
family (Anacardiaceae). Sumac grows in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, including
East Asia, Africa, and North America. Sumac is used as a spice, as a dye, and in medicine. Source: Wikipedia
at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumac.
2 Ferula gummosa is a perennial herb of Ferula in the family Apiaceae. It is native to Iran and Turkmenistan.
Its gum resin is called galbanum. For more information see “Ferula gummosa” on Wikipedia at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferula_gummosa
3 Berberis, commonly known as barberry, is a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1–5
meters tall, found throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world (apart from Australia). Species
diversity is greatest in South America and Asia; Europe, Africa and North America have native species aswell. The best-known Berberis species is the European barberry, Berberis vulgaris, which is common in
Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and has been widely introduced in North America.
It produces large crops of edible berries, rich in vitamin C, but with a sharp acid flavour. The country inwhich they are used the most is Iran, For more information see “Berberis” on Wikipedia at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berberis.
4 Reference: Chatzistathis, T., V. Kavvadias, T. Sotriopoulos and I. E. Papadakis. 2021. Organic fertilizationand tree orchards. Agriculture, 11, 692.

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Asia
The total organically cultivated area is 21’000 hectares, and this is expected to be
increasing because of the high prices of chemical fertilizers.

Japan
There was a revision of the Japanese Agriculture Standards Law – organic algae andliquor were included in the JAS law in December 2021 and May 2022..1,2
In January 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) started the“Organic Village” project.3 The Organic Village approach to local communities issignificant to promote organic farming associated with the local governments, organic
farmers and organic food consumption industries such as hotels, B&Bs, school meal
providers and tourism companies. The Ministry provided an 837-million-yen4 subsidy
for the fiscal year of 2022 to build the organic village model in 100 cities and towns by2025. The project aims to stimulate the present organic farmland share of 0.3 to 25
percent by 2050.5
The Ministry of the Environment revised the law on promoting green procurement in
February 2022. One of the priorities is using organic food ingredients in government
restaurants.6
The Measures for the Achievement of Decarbonization and Resilience with Innovation(MeaDRI) was enforced on July 1, 2022.7 The law establishes the basic principles for theestablishment of a food system in harmony with the environment and an accreditation
system for business activities to reduce environmental impact and promote thesustainable development of the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food industries, thedevelopment of a healthy economy with a low environmental impact, etc. In line withthe enforcement of the MeaDRI Law, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology (MEXT) has requested financial support for organic school lunch
programs under the national budget of 2023.8 The Natural School Lunch Action started

MAFF, “Organic algae is added to JAS”, 7 December 2021, available athttps://www.maff.go.jp/j/jas/jas_kikaku/attach/pdf/yuuki-236.pdf (in Japanese).
2 MAFF, “Organic liquors are added to JAS”, 25 May 2022, available athttps://www.maff.go.jp/j/jas/r4_jashou_kaisei.html (in Japanese)
3 MAFF, “Towards the creation of “Organic Village”, 1 January 2022,
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/seisan/kankyo/yuuki/attach/pdf/yosan_yuuki-10.pdf (in Japanese)
4 837 million yes corresponded to approximately 5.9 million euros or 6.3 million US dollars.
5 MAFF, “Sustainable Food Systems Strategy, MeaDRI”, 12 May 2021,
https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/env/env_policy/meadri.html
6 ENV, “Green Procurement Law”, February 2022; available at https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hozen/green/glaw/net.html (in Japanese)
7 MAFF, “MeaDRI Law”, came into force on 1 July 2022.;
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/kanbo/kankyo/seisaku/midori/houritsu.html (in Japanese)
8 MEXT, “Key points of the budget request for the fiscal year 2023”, 7 September 2022;
https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20220829-mxt_kouhou02-000024712_1.pdf (in Japanese)
1

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in 2019 in Ama City (Aichi Prefecture) and has grown to include 40 groups1 from
Hokkaido to Kyushu in providing organic school lunches.
In August 2021, the Allied PGS Meeting was held, and members from PGS initiatives
attended the meeting.2 The discussion centred on establishing the Organic Villages andexchanging ideas to spread organic farming in the local communities.

Kyrgyzstan
The first Law on Organic Agricultural Production was developed and adopted in2017 but did not meet the requirements of international organic standards. Afterseveral discussions by the state and the public, it was amended, and a new version wasdeveloped based on the Codex Alimentarius and IFOAM Standards. It was approvedon November 22, 2022, by the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic at the first reading.
The Law encompasses the following:− As a roadmap for developing and promoting organic agriculture until 2027, thestate program “Organic Products” was developed. It provides state mechanisms to
support organic production and the development of by-laws and legal documents
to create a favourable environment for supporting the sector. The program is being
coordinated in the ministries to adopt a government decree.
− Regulations on the certification system were developed to describe all certification
steps under third-party certification and the PGS. PGS is described and accepted as
an alternative system for assessing the quality of organic production for thedomestic market.
− Within the Customs Union (Eurasian Economic Union) framework, technicalregulations for organic production are being developed for all Union member
states. The Federation of Bio-KG, as part of the working team from Kyrgyzstan,takes an active part in developing this document.

Maldives
There are promising examples of private sector businesses working in organic farming,such as the Seagull Maldives. Maafahi agriculture island has high-end farms that arepart of the operations for high-end luxury resort hotels in the Maldives, such as Al
Fresco Organic Farm Restaurant on Vaakaru Maldives Resort (Vaakaru Maldives,2022).
The key to the fledgling organic farming economy is related to investment andcommunication. The Maldives citizens are harnessing the power of social media.

1 Representative prefectures supplying the organic school lunches are Hokkaido (Obihoro City), Chiba(Kisarazu & Isumi Cities), Tokyo (Musashino City), Saitama (Ogawa Town), Aichi (Nagoya, Ama, Inuyama,Inazawa Cities), Hyogo (Toyooka City), Ehime (Imabari City), Miyazaki (Aya Town) and Ooita (Usuki City).
2 Atsushi Kato et al., “Organic Shizukuishi PGS Initiatives Activities in Japan” pp.106-109, Proceedings of the
4th Organic Asia Congress, November 26th – 29th, 2021. Members came from Shizukuishi Town (Iwate
Prefecture), Aizu City (Fukushima Prefecture), Ichikawa City (Chiba Prefecture), Niigata City (Niigata
Prefecture), Nagano City (Nagano Prefecture), Togo Town (Aichi Prefecture), Shirakawa Town (Gifu
Prefecture), Syobara City (Hiroshima Prefecture).
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International support, private and public investment, and policy change are critical to
growing the organic farming industry in the Maldives.

Mongolia
Following the passage of the Organic Food Law in Mongolia in 2016, the Ministry ofFood, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI) has continued to support the National
Parliament to develop regulations on “Support and Incentives for Organic Food
Producers” which is expected to be discussed in Parliament in 2023.
The number of PGS and producers continues to rise slowly. As of November 2022, 19
PGS groups have been certified, and 658 products have been certified under the Organic
Food Law. In addition, private sector actors have developed non-food products, suchas cashmere and horse-hair sustainability standards. There are now nascent third-party
certifiers for Mongolian organic certification. International support for organic
agriculture development with training and PGS registration coaching has been
provided through the NGO Adventists Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), by
the Government of Germany and through FAO by the Swiss Development Cooperation(SDC). The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and FAO
support training on IFOAM Standards for third-party certifiers and legal revisions,
respectively.

Pakistan
Amidst Pakistan's severe climate change scenario, there is a dire need to shift towards
sustainable organic agriculture to help combat climatic threats, boost national
agriculture, and bring it up to international levels.1
Many areas of Pakistan, including northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Eastern
Balcohstain, Azad Kashmir, Sindh, and Gilgit Baltistan, are suitable for organic foodfarming. The Government of Pakistan is helping the local smallholder farmers byproviding better quality organic seeds, biofertilisers, and bio-pesticides to encouragethem to improve their crop production and profitability by adopting good, sustainablesoil and production practices.2
The Ministry of National Food Security & Research is working with other organisations
to promote organic agriculture.3 In one of the initiatives of the Centre for Agricultureand Bioscience International (CABI), an organic agriculture project focuses ondeveloping an organic seed production system of five crops, including wheat, cotton(in association with the Organic Cotton Association), onion, tomato, and chilli in the
Barkhan and Lasbella districts of Balochistan. CABI is carrying out a research project incollaboration with the Laudes Foundation to build a policy ecosystem for the organic

Pakistan Economic Survey 2021-22, Agriculture; available at https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey_2022.html
Pakistan Today, 12 June 2002: Natural Mode of Life: Trend of organic food on rise in KP. Available athttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/06/12/natural-mode-of-life-trend-of-organic-food-on-rise-in-kp/
3 Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Government of Pakistan, available at
http://www.mnfsr.gov.pk/
1
2

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production landscape in Balochistan, which will expand to the rest of Pakistan.1
Moreover, efforts are being carried out to a countrywide working group that willobserve the implementation of the organic agriculture policy by supplying high-quality
organic seeds and essential organic inputs.2
The Organic Cell at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council/National Agricultural
Research Centre is working on developing organic standards and researching the
production of wheat and other crops under organic conditions.3

Philippines
In December 2021, Republic Act 11511 (Act Amending the Organic Agriculture Act of2010) aimed to strengthen the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines. One of
the Act’s biggest highlights is the recognition of the Participatory Guarantee System(PGS), which allows various PGS groups in the country to label their products asorganic. In May 2022, the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of
Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) and the National Organic Agriculture
Program, granted accreditation of the First Participatory Guarantee System Organic
Certification Body to the core group in the Municipality of Tublay, Benguet,
Philippines.
Organic Trading Posts (OTPs) are places where organic products are showcased andsold in different localities and connect producers to consumers. As of 2022, there were
85 established OTPs throughout the Philippines. The National Organic Agriculture
Program monitors them.4
In Negros Island, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental highlighted their
Executive Legislative Agenda Goals for 202 to 2025, emphasising agriculturalcompetitiveness improvement and food security through promoting organic
agriculture practices. Also, the Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival, celebrating its
15th anniversary, was held as an in-person event after two years.
In 2023, Bacolod City planned to build an almost two-hectare wholesale poultry andproduce market to include in-conversion and PGS-certified farmers’ products andthird-party certified organic products. In addition, a model organic food garden in
public high schools will be started in the city, serving its teachers and students
organically grown meals. In addition, FamilyFarms Inc., a social enterprise in theprovince, producing organic rice “of the highest quality at a fair price to support
improved livelihoods for farmers”, conducted training events to increase theproduction volume of organic rice farmers.

Dr. Saif Ali, Project Officer, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, Rawalpindi
CABI News, 8 October 2021: CABI works in partnership to promote organic agriculture in Pakistan.
Available at https://www.cabi.org/news-article/cabi-works-in-partnership-to-promote-organic-agriculture-inpakistan
3 Dr Sikander Khan Tanveer, Principal Scientific Officer/ Program Leader, Wheat National Agricultural
Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan
4 Republic of the Philippines, 26 May 2022: A Strengthens Organic Trading Post Utilization. Available athttps://noap.da.gov.ph/2022/05/26/da-strengthens-organic-trading-post-utilization/
1
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Saudi Arabia
During the past years, Saudi Arabia has prioritised sustainable agriculture andenvironment-friendly farming practices. In 2005, organic agriculture was adopted by
the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture to support the organic sector. The
government established a functional institutional framework with the Department ofOrganic Production as the competent authority within the Ministry of Environment,
Water and Agriculture; the Saudi Organic Farming Association as a private andindependent non-profit organisation incorporating all private stakeholders related toorganic agriculture under one umbrella; and the National Center of Organic
Agriculture as a research institution. The Saudi Organic Regulation with a nationalorganic logo was approved in 2014 and serves as the legal framework for certifying
organic farms. Six certification bodies have been licensed to operate in the Kingdom.
A national policy of organic agriculture and an executive action plan were approved in2016 and 2018, respectively, to support the development of the organic sector. The localorganic production exceeded 105 thousand tons in 2021 compared to 45.6 thousand tons
in 2018, an increase of 130.2 percent. Organic agricultural land has increased by morethan 45.5 percent and reached 27.1 thousand hectares with 400 farmers in 2021. The
remarkable growth of the organic farming sector is a result of the application of the
Executive Action Plan of Organic Agriculture Policy, aiming to enhance thedevelopment of the organic sector by spreading awareness of organic farming and food,boosting supply chains and marketing, supporting research and organic inputs andsharing responsibilities among all stakeholders.
The number of organic food stores reached 265 in 2021, recording a 39.4 percent growthcompared to 2018. From 2018 to 2020, the Saudi market value for domestic andimported organic products recorded a growth rate of 45.6 percent and reached 1.76
million Saudi riyal.1
In November 2022, Biofach Saudi Arabia became the eighth member of the international
Biofach family. It is the first international organic hub for the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) region, organised in collaboration with the Nurnberg Messe Group.
Moreover, the government endorsed an annual organic event on 11 November named“Organic Food Day” and proved its support of the organic sector in Saudi Arabia.

South Korea
2021 saw a decrease of 7 percent in the number of environmentally-friendly2 farms
amounting to a total decrease of 5.3 percent in the overall number of farms nationwide.
Farms under organic production have been steadily increasing for the past five years,
while farms certified for non-pesticide production have decreased. The number oflivestock farms under environmentally-friendly production increased by 6.6 percent to6’800 farms and organic livestock increased by 19.2 percent to 124 farms.

1
2

1.763 million Saudi rial corresponded to approximately 440 million euros or 470 million US dollars.
Environmentally-friendly consists of both organic and non-pesticide production and certification.

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2022 also saw the return of in-person organic events such as the “Organic Day (2 June)1”
events and the 2022 IFOAM-Goesan International Organic Expo under the theme“Organics for a Healthy World” was attended by a record-breaking number of 752’355
persons. Eighteen conferences were organised by the local organic groups and attended
by almost two thousand participants from 36 countries and areas. The conferences
focused on analysing current organic policies, trends, and prospects of the organic
sector from farm to table.
Local groups continued the movement calling for reforming the environmentallyfriendly certification system due to the incidences of cancellations of non-pesticide
certification despite the non-use of pesticides. The groups are advocating a “processoriented” system and not a system based on pesticide test results.
Campaigns are also being undertaken to preserve funding for important policies insupport of public consumption of environmentally-friendly food prioritised by theformer government, such as support for the pregnant women’s organic food box
scheme, support for fruit as snacks in schools, etc. The current government cut funding
for these schemes. These campaigns by the local groups aim to preserve agriculture andecology and protect future generations' health and well-being.

TurkeyIn Turkey, organic agriculture started with the European demand in the 1984-85 season
for organic raisins and dried figs, traditional export products. Organic agriculture
developed rapidly for dried fruit, nuts, and cotton during the next decade. As of 2021,
the product range has reached 263 based on raw materials. In addition, the number of
products available in the domestic and export markets steadily increases with theprocessed food and non-food products obtained from these raw materials.
In recent years, with the support policies and the efforts of non-governmentalorganisations, the interest in organic products in the domestic market has been
increasing. Today, there are 19 organic markets, primarily in metropolitan cities. They
are established and monitored by municipalities, non-governmental organisations andthe Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The main organic products for the export market are seedless raisins, dried figs, dried
apricots, hazelnuts, wheat, and wheat-based products. Traditionally, the European
Union member states are the main destination. However, Turkish organic goods havebeen exported to more than 40 countries in recent years, with increasing shares in newmarkets such as the USA, Gulf countries, China, Japan and other European countries.
Seventy-five percent of Turkey's organic product exports are from the western Aegean
Region. The Aegean Region is also the leading region in organic cotton, cotton-based
products, and processed food products.

1“Organic” has the same phonetic sound as “June 2”

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Vietnam
After three years of implementing the Decree on Organic Agriculture, the number ofprovinces and cities practising organic agriculture has increased significantly from 46
out of 63 provinces in 2018 to 57 in 2021. This figure is estimated to be 62 out of 63
provinces by the end of 2022, showing the extent of organic agriculture in Vietnam.
After the government promulgated the National Organic Agriculture Development
Program in 2020, many provinces issued local organic development programs. Thirteen
provinces have issued programs to implement the National Organic Agriculture
Program, ten have issued their own organic development program, and 38 haveintegrated programs with other local agricultural development programs.
In 2022, 31 Vietnamese Certification Bodies (CB) were licensed to certify according to
TCVN:11041 (Vietnamese Organic Standards), and some Vietnamese CBs have been
licensed to certify JAS and EU standards.
The demand for organic products continues to increase for domestic and export
markets, prompting a significant increase in organic manufacturers in 2022. Up to 40
companies importing organic products and 17’174 organic producers were recorded in
mid-2022.1

IFOAM Organics Asia in 2022
IFOAM Organics Asia continued promoting organic school meals and public
procurement. It organised the “1st International Conference on School Meals and Public
Procurement” under the aegis of the ALGOA Center for Public Procurement (ACPP)
headed by the New Taipei City Government. Co-organised by the Global Alliance ofOrganic Districts (GAOD), the conference under the theme “Leave No Child Behind”
brought together more than 400 participants from 37 countries and areas around theworld.
IFOAM Organics Asia implemented the co-organised work and programs of the 2022
IFOAM-Goesan International Organic Expo, a 17-day organic event culminating in
752’355 visitors. The event’s highlight was the 50th IFOAM Anniversary
Commemorative Conference and ISOFAR Scientific Conference. The “OrganicsForAll
Declaration” was adopted at the end of the conferences, which brought more than ahundred participants from 36 countries and areas around the world. The International
Organic Expo ended with adopting the “Organic 3.0 Local Governments Declaration”
read by organic mayors and governors from South Korea, Italy, Portugal, Japan, and
the Philippines.
IFOAM Organics Asia also celebrated its 10th Anniversary in conjunction with its 5th
Organic Asia Congress under the theme “Transcending Borders and Generations”.
Organic pioneers, former and current board members and other invited VIPs from

Source: Report of Agrotrade, Workshop “Review 3 years of implementing organic decree 109/ND-CP andNational Organic program”. Agrotrade is the Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market
Development.

1

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Asian central and local governments joined the three-day event, which members of the
Asian Organic Youth Forum coordinated.
In addition, IFOAM Organics Asia representatives participated and represented
IFOAM – Organics International in the FAO 36th Regional Conference for Asia and thePacific in March 2022 and the 8th Comisión Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica,
CIAO-IICA online event in September 2022. IFOAM Organics Asia also co-organised
the virtual side-event, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022, in October,
together with Access Agriculture, an international non-governmental organisation
based in Brussels.

Contributors
Bangladesh› Dr Md. Khurshid Alam, Principal Scientific
Officer, Bangladesh Agricultural ResearchInstitute (BARI), Bangladesh› Dr Shaikh Tanveer Hossain, Director, Policy
and Strategy, IFOAM Organics Asia
China
› Qiao, Yuhui, Feng Xu, China Agricultural
University, China› Li Feng, IFOAM Asia China Office Director
India› Dr Yadav A.K., Senior Advisor at the Ministryof Agriculture and Farmers Welfare› Dr Thomas Jacob, Former Director, Spices
Board of India & Advisor, PDS Organic Spices› Mr Jacob Jose, Market Executive, PDS Organic
SpicesIndonesia› Dr Wahyudi David, Food Science andTechnology, Universitas Bakrie, Indonesia
Iran› Dr. M. Reza Ardakani, Director of IFOAM
Iran› Farnaz Ghodrati Namin, PhD Candidate inAgrotechnology, Azad University of Karaj
BranchIraq› Dr Jwad Enad Mahdi, Director of National
Center for Organic Farming / Iraq / Najaf
Japan› Dr Ryoichi Komiya, Vice President, Organic
Shizukuishi Japan› Yoko Taniguchi, PhD, Associate Professor,
Setsunan University› Miki Soejima, Representative of Natural
School Lunch Action Japan› Miyoshi Satoko, IFOAM - Organics
International World Board
Maldives› Mohamed Hoodh Ibrahim, Board Director of
the Maldives Island Conservation Project
Mongolia› Dr Kevin Gallagher, Researcher/Trainer,
Future of Agriculture (Asia) Virtual Think
Tank› Dr Tungalag Lkhundevjamts, Executive
Director SFCS LLC, Mongolia,› Director Tungalag Davaa, Ministry of Food,
Agriculture and Light Industry, Mongolia
Pakistan› Dr Noshin Ilyas, Associate Professor,
Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences,
PMAS Arid Agriculture University
Rawalpindi Pakistan› Dr Zuhair Hasnain, Assistant Professor,
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Cropand Food sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture
University Rawalpindi Pakistan
Philippines› Edgardo Uychiat, President, Negros Island
Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development(NISARD)› Glenn Tabiola, Department of Agriculture
CARAGA, Philippines
Saudi Arabia› Dr Abdullah Dekhel Albahi Alkhthami,
General Director, Department of Organic
Production, Ministry of Environment Water
and Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
South Korea› Choi Ding Geun, Executive Director, Korea
Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture
Association,› Jennifer Chang, Executive Director, Asian
Local Governments for Organic Agriculture
Turkey› Ms Ozge Cicekli. General Secretary,
Association of Ecological Agriculture
Organization (ETO), Turkey› Dr Uygun Aksoy, President, ETO, Turkey
Vietnam› Dang Thi Bich Huong – Deputy Chief Officeof Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association(VOAA)FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

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Organic Agriculture in Asia: Key Facts and Figures
JAN TRÁVNÍČEK1, BERNHARD SCHLATTER2, AND HELGA WILLER3
More than 6.5 million hectares of farmland were organic in Asia in 2021 – China
had the largest area
In Asia, more than 6.5 million hectares were managed organically in 2021. Nine percentof the world's organic farmland was in Asia.
With more than 2’753’000 hectares, China had the largest farmland area under organic
management, followed by India (over 2’657’000 hectares), the Philippines (over 216’000
hectares) and Thailand (almost 168’000 hectares). Almost 90 percent of Asia's organic
farmland was in these four countries.

Timor-Leste is the country with the highest organic area share in Asia
Organic farmland in Asia constituted 0.4 percent of the total agricultural land of thecontinent and was thus below the global organic area share of 1.6 percent in 2021.
The country with the highest organic area share was Timor-Leste (8.5 percent), followedby South Korea (2.5 percent) and Sri Lanka (2.4 percent).

Asian organic farmland increased by more than 356'000 hectares
Organic land increased by more than 356’000 hectares in Asia from 2020 to 2021,
representing an increase of 5.8 percent. In the decade 2012 to 2021, organic farmland
grew by 102 percent, a rate similar to that of global organic farmland.

Key crops grown: cereals, oilseeds and textile crops
More than half of the organic farmland in Asia is for arable crops (3’390’547 hectares).
Among the key crops are cereals (1’653’261 hectares) and oilseeds (723’168 hectares),mainly in China, and textile crops (602’700 hectares), mainly in India.
Permanent crops accounted for approximately 14 percent of total organic land in Asia
in 2021. Among the key crops were coconuts (250’263 hectares), mainly in thePhilippines, and tea and mate (178’160 hectares) and nuts (65’939 hectares), mainly in
China.

Organic producers, processors and importers: India leads with almost 1.6 million
producers.
There were more than 1’782’000 organic producers in Asia. Most of the farmers were in
India, which is the country with the largest number of farmers worldwide (almost
1’599’010). Almost half of the world's organic producers were in Asia. Compared to2020, 29’075 fewer organic producers were counted (-1.6 percent), mainly due to the

Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
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decrease of producers reported from Thailand (-23’062). A total of 3’582 exporters and
15’754 processers were reported.

Retail sales: Insufficient information on the organic food market in Asia
Organic retail sales numbers for Asia are not sufficient. Only 10 out of 47 countries withorganic farmland provided organic retail sales figures. Of these countries, only China,
South Korea and Saudi Arabia provided an update for 2021. Total organic retail sales
reported in 2021 reached more than 13.7 billion euros. This does not, however, meanthat there is no domestic market for organic products in Asia. Many countries havedeveloped local markets.

Organic exports
While data on the domestic market are not sufficient, data on organic export volumes(metric tons) to the European Union, which is the major export market for Asia, hasbeen available since 2018. Export data to the US has been available even for longer (since2014) but are less significant (13.1 percent of all exports to the EU and US in 2021) anddo not cover all exported products.
Data show that in 2021 over 674’000 metric tons of products were exported from Asia
to the EU and US, constituting 14.4 percent of all organic imports to thesecountries/trade blocks.

India is the largest exporter
The largest Asian exporter to the US was India (more than 249’000 metric tons of
products, mainly oil cakes, rice, and sugar, followed by China (almost 153’000 MT,
mainly oil cakes, spices, and nuts) and Pakistan (45’625 MT, mainly rice).

Oilcake is the most important export productComprising more than 201’332 metric tons and almost 30 percent of Asian organic
exports, oilcake and oils were the most important product group (mostly oilcake:179’611 metric tons), followed by rice (97’514 MT) and sugar (55’131 MT).
For more information about organic in Asia see figures and data tables on the following
pages.

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Organic Agriculture in Asia: Graphs

Figure 65: Asia: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Figure 66: Asia: The countries with the highest organic share of total farmland 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

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Figure 67: Asia: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021
Source: FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL-surveys 2001-2023

Figure 68: Asia: Use of organic agricultural land 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments.

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Figure 69: Asia: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export volume in MT)
Source: GATS/USDA 2022 and TRACES/European Commission 2022

Figure 70: Asia: Key commodity groups exported to the EU and US (export volume inMT)
Source: GATS/USDA and TRACES/European Commission 2022

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Organic Agriculture in Asia: Tables
Table 59: Asia: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural land andnumber of organic producers 2021
Country/Territory

Area [ha]Share of total
agri. land [%]Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
BhutanCambodia
China
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
IsraelJapan
JordanKazakhstan
KuwaitKyrgyzstan
Lao People's
Lebanon
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
TaiwanTajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Viet Nam

98
583
38'080504
5'608
21'1122'753'700
4'278
2'657'889
83'362
7'053
63
5'778
11'992
1'446
113'24732
30'259
7'993
1'671
1'276
241
10'1432'448
7
69'850
5'517
216'334
40'66327'11015
66'623
11'76522'292167'985
32'311
5'419
4'925
74'540

0.0%
0.0%
0.8%
0.0%
1.1%
0.4%
0.5%
0.2%
1.5%
0.1%
0.0%
0.0%
0.9%
0.3%
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
0.2%
1.2%
1.7%
2.5%
0.0%
2.2%
2.4%
1.5%
0.5%
0.8%
8.5%
1.4%
0.0%
0.6%

Total

6'504'211

0.4%

Producers [no.]

27
446
1'998
4'135
14'847729
1'599'010
17'836
346
345
3'678
23
281
1
1'144
1'519
124
30
314
68
1'048
1
934
1'632
13'06925'362
400
1'940
4'436
166
73'611
3
152
26
12'453
1'782'134

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.
*Total number includes data for countries with less than three operators.

Table 60: Asia: Land use in organic agriculture 2021
Land use
Agricultural land and crops, no details
Arable land crops

Crop group

Area [ha]Cereals
Dry pulses
Fresh vegetables and melons

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1'653'261
30'23059'066217

Asia › Statistics
Land use

Crop group
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Mushrooms and truffles
Oilseeds
Plants harvested green
Root crops
Strawberries
Sugarcane
Textile crops
Arable crops, other
Fallow land, crop rotation

Arable land crops total
Other agricultural land
Permanent crops

Area [ha]108'101
13'346723'168
123'259
18'61634
6'289
602'700
21'38731'0893'390'547
32'848305
13'393380
250'263
73'79913'254112'935
41'411
3'018
14'861

Berries
Citrus fruit
Cocoa
Coconut
CoffeeFruit
Fruit of temperate climate zones
Fruit, tropical and subtropicalFruit/nuts/berries
GrapesMedicinal and aromatic plants,
permanent
Nuts
Olives
Tea/mate, etc.
Permanent crops, other

27'400131'955
9'394
178'160
57'671
928'199
8'468

Permanent crops total
Permanent grassland
Total

6'504'210

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 61: Asia: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country
Country/Territory
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
BhutanCambodia
China
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
IsraelJapan
JordanKazakhstan
KuwaitKyrgyzstan

218

Agriculturalland andcrops, nodetails [ha]Arable land
crops
[ha]

Permanent
crops
[ha]

Permanent
grassland
[ha]

Other
agriculturalland [ha]98583
37'454
5'608
498
2'573
2'028'676
5'517
44

854

626
504
20'447
2'339'700
629'213
290
996
53
3'235
8'204
43
108'072
1129'836168
414'000
1'705
77'554
6'004
10
2'221
1'848
549
35
11
423

7

1'756
4'809

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322
184
331
10

Asia › Statistics
Country/Territory
Lao People's Democratic
Republic
Lebanon
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
TaiwanTajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Viet Nam
Total

Agriculturalland andcrops, nodetails [ha]Arable land
crops
[ha]

Permanent
crops
[ha]

18

2'931

5'044

247
161
242
676
400
2
53'545
508
1'036
2'301
7'403
15
1'824
7'136
22'287138'090

1'124

1'115
695
651
4
13'540303
37'933347
2'386

Permanent
grassland
[ha]

300

0
8'772
1'379

17

2'765
5'009
214'981429
19'707

5'347

70
4'686
6'887

64'451
2'244
4
5'194
32'311
1
239
58'7882'144'148

3'390'547

928'199

Other
agriculturalland [ha]

14

1'142

23'559

460

8'405

8'468

32'848Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 62: Asia: All organic areas 2021
Country/Territory

Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
BhutanCambodia
China
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
IsraelJapan
JordanKazakhstan
KuwaitKyrgyzstan
Lao
Lebanon
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal

Agriculture
[ha]
98
583
38'080504
5'608
21'1122'753'700
4'278
2'657'889
83'362
7'051
63
5'778
11'992
1'446
113'24732
30'259
7'993
1'671
1'276
242
10'1432'448

Aquaculture
[ha]

573
5'781

Wild
collection[ha]

Other nonagri. land
[ha]

3'852
2'126
2'223
8
2'004'000

795

1'681'296
231
4
3

258

20
24'394

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1

Total
[ha]
98
4'435
40'779
6'285
7'831
21'1204'757'700
4'278
4'339'185
84'387
7'056
63
5'781
11'992
1'446
113'24732
30'259
7'993
1'929
1'276
242
10'16326'842219

Asia › Statistics
Country/Territory

Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
TaiwanTajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Viet Nam
Total

Agriculture[ha]

Aquaculture
[ha]

Wild
collection
[ha]
2'200

7
69'850
5'517
216'334
40'66327'11015
66'623
11'76522'292167'985
32'311
5'419
4'925
74'54040'623

3'943

6'504'210

48'2503'815'281

Other nonagri. land
[ha]

Total
[ha]
2'207
69'850
5'517
216'334
40'66327'11015
66'623
11'76522'292259'186
32'311
5'421
4'925
119'1050458

90'7422

1

10'367'742

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 63: Asia: Use of wild collection areas 2021
Land use

Area [ha]Berries, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Nuts, wild collection
Oil plants, wild collection
Rose hips, wild collection
Berries, wild collection
Wild collection, no details

3
61
258
2'200
4
3
3'812'756

Total

3'815'281

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 64: Asia: Organic retail sales in 2021
Country/Territory

Retail sales[Million €]Per capita[€/person]

Azerbaijan
Bhutan
China
India
Japan
Mongolia
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Thailand

2.6
0.03
11'319.4
185.9
1'418.7
0.6
486.0
306.2
15.8
11.9

0.3
0.04
7.8
0.2
11.2
0.2
9.5
9.1
2.7
0.2

Total

13’747.2

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector and governments. Please note that not all
countries provided updated data. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

220

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Asia › Statistics
Table 65: Asia: Organic exports to the EU and US by country
Country/
Territory
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Cambodia
China
Georgia
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)IsraelJapan
JordanKazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Lao
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Myanmar

Exports to EU
and USA [MT]
0.3
132
1'228
235
7'880
152'529730
91
249'153
17'627
1'641
24'6455'140
147
35'110645
11'692
100
42
455
95

Country/
Territory
Nepal
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syrian Arab Republic
TaiwanThailand
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Viet Nam
Yemen
Total

Exports to EU
and USA [MT]240
45'625861
26'136331
277
877
44'723
6
118
28'058
724
319
1'257
15'832
8
674'712Source: GATS/USDA and TRACES/European
Commission 2022

Table 66: Asia: Organic exports to the EU and US by product group
Product group

Oilcakes/ oils and fats
Grain mill productsOilseeds
Sugar
Prepared food, no details
Fruit, berries and nuts,
prepared and preserved
Medicinal and aromaticplantsProcessed and preparedfruits and vegetables
Root crops
CoffeeDry pulses
Nuts
Coconut
Tea/mate, etc.
Bee products
Seeds and seedlings
Non-food products
Fresh vegetables andmelonsFruit, (sub)tropical
Cereals

Exports toEU/and USA[MT]
201'332
111'428
70'78455'13133'73925'23924'07321'50615'69313'22513'143
11'265
8'302
6'831
6'604
5'593
5'376
5'153
4'962
4'481

Product group

Hot beverages (Coffee, tea
and cacao etc.)
Medicinal and aromaticplants, permanent
Aquaculture products
Vegetables, prepared andpreserved
Spices and aromatics
Textile crops
Noodles, couscous, etc.
Food and non-foodproducts
Protein concentrates
Feedstuffs
Beverages
Other food products andproduct groups
Yeast and other single cell
micro-organisms
GrapesWild collection, other
Berries
Grand Total

Exports toEU/and USA
[MT]
4'010
3'333
2'627
2'541
2'455
2'141
1'909
1'641
1'621
1'577
1'249
1'003
888
825
821
595
674'712Source: GATS/USDA and TRACES/European Commission 2022, Total includes smaller volumes not shown in table.

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221

Europe

Map 4: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Europe 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023 based on information from the private sector, certifiers, governments, and the Mediterranean
Organic Agricultural Network (MOAN) for the Mediterranean countries
For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338

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Europe224

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Source FiBL survey 2023

Infographic 6: Organic Agriculture in Europe 2021

Infographic Organic Agriculture in Europe

EuropeOrganic in Europe: Recent Developments
EMANUELE BUSACCA1, MARIA GERNERT2, BRAM MOESKOPS3, AMELIESTEU4 AND HELGA WILLER5
The consolidated data for 2021 show continued retail sales growth in most countries;
however, other than in 2021, it was single-digit.
Retail sales grew to 46.7 billion euros in the European Union (EU) and to 54.5 billion in
Europe (increasing by 3.6 and 3.8 percent, respectively), whereas organic farmland
grew faster (+5.2 percent), reaching 17.8 million hectares in Europe and 15.6 million in
the EU (see page 235). For EU organic agriculture to reach the 25 percent goal by 2030,
as set out by the European Commission, stronger annual growth will be needed thanin 2021.

Figure 71: European Union: Growth of organic farmland and retail sales 2000–2021
compared
Source: FiBL-AMI surveys2006-2023

Emanuele Busacca, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium, www.organicseurope.bio
Maria Gernert, TP Organics Coordinator, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium,www.organicseurope.bio
3 Dr. Bram Moeskops, Research and Innovation Manager, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium,www.organicseurope.bio
4 Amelie Steu, Policy Assistant, IFOAM Organics Europe, Brussels, Belgium, www.organicseurope.bio
5 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
2

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Europe
The year 2022, with its multiple crises, was another special year for the organic sector.
Many countries for which data were available at the time of writing reported a decrease
in retail sales (consolidated data for Europe and the EU will be available only in early2023). Should this trend continue, it is bound to impact organic farmland development
It is expected that 2023 will be another challenging year for the organic industry andthe EU. To reach the EU Farm to Fork target of 25 per cent organic farmland in Europe
by 2030, appropriate and timely support measures are needed, including a suitable
regulatory framework, adequate support under the common agricultural policy (CAP),
action plans, and support for research and knowledge building.

New EU regulation enters into application
In June 2018, the new EU regulation 2018/8481 on the production and labelling oforganic products was published. The new EU organic regulation was initially set toapply from 1 January 2021. However, for many reasons, including the COVID-19
pandemic, its application was postponed by one year to 1 January 20222. The text that
was adopted in 2018 represents the “Basic Act”. The development of secondary
legislation started in June 2018 and is still ongoing. This means that many text details
are being developed and adopted in the form of delegated or implementing regulations.
At the moment of writing, the whole set of regulations is composed of the basic
regulation (EU) 2018/848 integrated by 17 delegated regulations and seven
implementing regulations, and more will follow (see also chapter on regulations in thisvolume on page 148.).

Main changes on the production side
The scope has been enlarged and includes products closely linked to agriculture, suchas beeswax, sea salt, wool, etc.
− The concept of soil-bound cultivation is strengthened with few exceptions.
− Concerning plant reproductive material (e.g. seed), the use of heterogeneousmaterial and varieties adapted to organic farming is encouraged.
− Rules for poultry have been integrated with additional requirements, such as on
pop-holes and limits to the multi-level systems. Rules for parent poultry andpullets, as well as for rabbits and deer, have been added.
− Where changes require structural interventions, transitional rules are provided.
− In aquaculture, the possibility of using non-organic juveniles is very limited.

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic
production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007;
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/848/oj
2 Regulation (EU) 2020/1693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 November 2020 amending
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products as regards its date ofapplication and certain other dates referred to in that Regulation (Text with EEA relevance);
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/1693/oj
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Main changes on the food processing side
− The use of natural flavourings is restricted to a few categories, and rules fororganic flavourings are established.
− The use of ion exchange and adsorption resin techniques is only allowed for baby
food and wine products. Engineered nanomaterials are also banned.
− The flexibility regarding the origin of the ingredients for the indication of origin
passes from two to five per cent.
− After a transitional period, there will be a list of cleaning and disinfection products
allowed to be used in food processing and storage.

Main changes in control and certification− Low-risk operators will be exempt from the mandatory annual physical inspection
visit, which can be performed every 24 months. Such exemption applies only tooperators in the EU.
− In any case, verification of compliance is required every 12 months.
− As for the certificate, there are mandatory models to be considered for both EU
and non-EU operators.
− New approaches to dealing with suspected non-compliances and residues are
established for operators and control actors.
− New group certification rules are established and detailed, with some significant
changes for operators in the Global South.
− The group certification system may also be applied to small farmers in the EU andworldwide. According to the previous regulation, group certification was only
possible for countries in the Global South.

Main changes in international trade and imports
Most of the current equivalency agreements with third countries have to berenegotiated under trade agreements within five years. Trade agreements with theUnited Kingdom, Chile and Switzerland are already in place. Therefore, there is noneed to renegotiate. Negotiation talks are being opened with the third countries that
already have an organic equivalency agreement with the EU (Argentina, Australia,
Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Tunisia and theUnited States) and, in addition, with Mexico and Colombia. The control bodies
recognised for equivalency need to be recognised for compliance within three years. In
practice, the new EU organic regulation requirements will apply to third countries witha one- to one-and-a-half-year delay compared to the EU. Also, new rules applying at
the EU borders for imported products apply.

New CAP regulations enter into force as of 1 January 2023
In June 2018, the European Commission launched its proposal for the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2020. The new CAP regulations were adopted by theEuropean Parliament in plenary only on 23 November 2021, followed by the approvalof the delegated and implemented acts. Most Member States submitted their draft
national CAP Strategic Plans (SPs) by 31 December 2021, to which the European
Commission replied with the so-called Observation Letters. The approval process for
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Europethese CAP SPs ended in early December 2022. The new CAP 2023-2027 Regulations and
SPs entered into force from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2027. The new CAP gives
more flexibility to Member States in implementing the policy objectives.

The new CAP
Organic farming can make a decisive contribution towards a sustainable food andfarming sector while satisfying citizens’ preferences. However, large-scale conversion
to organic farming is only possible if the CAP’s ambition is raised, allowing more
farmers to make the necessary additional efforts and investments. With the rightincentives in both pillars1, many more farmers could contribute even more to theenvironment, climate, and rural communities beyond 2020.
Nonetheless, the CAP’s new green architecture appears too weak to address theenvironmental issues societies face. Indeed, it consists of so-called ‘eco-schemes’, which
account for 25 per cent of the first pillar’s budget. These eco-schemes are mandatory for
the Member States but voluntary for farmers and, therefore, less binding than theformer greening measures. Eco-schemes can offer a good opportunity to compensate
farmers whose farming practices benefit biodiversity and the environment. However,the definition of the eco-schemes has been left in the hands of Member States and, inseveral countries, are not ambitious enough to favour these kinds of farming practises,
including organic farming. The rest of the CAP’s new green architecture consists of nine
good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAECs), and 35 per cent of the second
pillar’s budget is dedicated to agri-environmental and climate measures (AECMs). The
organic movement defended ringfencing of at least 70 per cent of the entire CAP budget
across both pillars to ensure a level playing field and to avoid a race to the bottom forthe climate and environment.
Besides, the new CAP includes improvements in social issues. Indeed, the organic
movement welcomes the new social conditionality (mandatory as of 2025) that ensuresenhanced farmers’ and farm workers’ rights.2

European Green Deal and the CAP
Finally, with the European Green Deal (European Commission 2019c) and the
publication of the EU Farm to Fork (European Commission 2020a) and Biodiversity
Strategies (European Commission 2020b) in May 2020, the European Commission has
put forward clear objectives for transitioning to sustainable food systems by 2030. But
since the CAP plays a critical role in providing the means to reach these objectives, it is

The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union consists of two pillars:› First pillar of the CAP: I — Common organisation of the markets (CMO) in agricultural products› Second pillar of the CAP: rural development policy.
More information is available at https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/section/196/the-commonagricultural-policy-cap2 The new social conditionality is based on current four EU legislative frameworks (Directive 2019/1152 on
Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions, Directive 2009/104/EC on Minimum Safety and HealthRequirements for use of work equipment by workers, Directive 89/391/EEC on Improvement of Safety andhealth of workers, Regulation 492/2011 on Freedom of movement for workers within the EU).
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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEuropeessential that its implementation at the national level through the National Strategic
Plans explicitly and fully contributes to the Green Deal’s implementation and related
strategies, which include the Farm to Fork strategy, the Biodiversity strategy and thetarget to reach 25 per cent of organic land in Europe by 2030 (see subsequent chapter).
During the CAP negotiations, Member States actively opposed a clear legal link
between the CAP and the Green Deal. In the end, the Commission Implementing
Regulation (EU) 2021/22891 specifies that Member States “shall provide an explanationof the national contribution to achieving the Union's targets for 2030” set out in the
Farm to Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy. with a view of allowing theEuropean Commission to assess the consistency and contribution of the proposed CAPStrategic Plan as well as the Union’s environmental and climate legislation andcommitments.

State of play of CAP National Strategic Plans
A briefing by IFOAM Organics Europe (2022) on the state of play of CAP National
Strategic Plans showed that the level of ambition to develop and support organic
farming is not high enough in many Member States and that unless major changes in
the measures and budget occurred during the possible annual revision of the CAP SPs,
the latter would not allow reaching the overall target of 25 per cent organic land by 2030
in Europe. A detailed analysis of the CAP SPs 2023–2027 and how they support organic
agriculture will be published in spring 2023 as part of OrganicTargets4EU’s project“Transformation scenarios for boosting organic farming and organic aquaculture
towards the Farm-to-Fork targets,”2 which IFOAM Organics Europe is leading.

Research
Organic farming research is funded under European and national research
programmes and national organic action plans. Since the mid-1990s, an increasing
number of organic research projects focussing on organic food and farming have been
funded by the EU framework programmes for research and innovation.

Transnational collaboration
In autumn 2021, five new projects started with funding from the CORE Organic
Cofund, which joins forces with the EU Member States to fund transnational research
projects. The projects were selected in the third CORE Organic call for research
proposal: “Organic farming systems for improved mixed plant and animal

1 The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2289 of 21 December 2021 laying down rules for theapplication of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the presentationof the content of the CAP Strategic Plans and on the electronic system for the secure exchange of information,
C/2021/9601, is available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32021R2289
2 The project website is available here: https://www.organictargets.eu/

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Europeproduction”.1 The funding network, renamed CORE Organic Pleiades Network2 in
2022, consists of 33 partners from 24 countries/regions
Collaboration with the European Technology Platform TP Organics3 and other relevant
sector players has helped to ensure that the voice of transnational organisations
representing farmers, industry and civil society has been taken into account.

Access to research results via Organic Eprints and Organic Farm Knowledge
The open-access repository Organic Eprints4, a shared knowledge reservoir for
disseminating research outcomes, has existed since 2002. The outcomes of CORE
Organic and many other projects are archived on Organic Eprints, which has almost
30’000 entries. Organic Eprints is also the underlying database of the Organic Farm
Knowledge platform (www.organic-farmknowledge.org), which provides material fororganic practitioners.5 Many new tools were added in 2022, and new languages were
implemented.

Science Day and Organic Innovation Days 2022
TP Organics’ Science Day, focussing on “Digital technology for local and small-scale
processing” at the BIOFACH VIVANESS 2022 Summer Edition on 29 July, brought
together researchers, policymakers as well as interested food producing, processing
and retail companies, certifiers and auditors to show how innovative the organic sector
is, including when it comes to digital technologies. A review of this event is available
on the TP Organics website6.
On 11 and 12 October, the Organic Innovation Days 2022, TP Organics’ annual public
event and the only EU event on research and innovation for organic agriculture, took
place in Belgium. The event centred around “organic living labs and lighthouse farms”.
A full review of this event is available on the TP Organics website.7

Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe8 is the EU’s current main funding programme for research and

The call text is available here: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-2021-call/
Information about the Pleiades project can be found at https://projects.au.dk/coreorganicpleiades/about
3TP Organics website: https://tporganics.eu
4 Organic Eprints: www.orgprints.org
5 In December 2018, the Horizon 2020-funded project OK-Net Ecofeed launched the extended knowledge
platform Organic Farm Knowledge www.organic-farmknowledge.net, initially set up in the framework ofanother EU-funded project, OK-Net Arable. The platform aims to promote information exchange and sharepractical solutions among farmers across Europe. Organic Farm Knowledge is constantly working to evolve,
keeping the tools and materials up to date, increasing its reach and making its content available in thenational languages and through different channels. In 2022, the platform was translated into several new
languages, such as Greek and Czech. Around a hundred new entries were added, as well as videos and e–
learning courses. In 2022 Organic Farm Knowledge closely collaborated with Horizon Europe projects suchas Biofruitnet and OrganicTargets4EU, and all of the projects’ research findings are uploaded to the website.
6 Review of Science Day 2022 on the TP Organics Website https://tporganics.eu/science-day-2022-review/
7 Review of the 2022 organic innovation days: https://tporganics.eu/organic-innovation-days/
8 Horizon Europe website: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/fundingopportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEuropeinnovation, with a budget of 95.5 billion euros for 2021 – 2027. Cluster 6 of Horizon
Europe, “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”,1 witha total budget of 8.952 billion euros, aims at reducing environmental degradation,
halting and reversing the decline of biodiversity on land, inland waters and sea; andbetter managing natural resources through transformative changes to the economy andsociety in urban and rural areas.
Three organic-specific projects are funded under the first Work Programme (2021–2022).23 Starting with the work programme 2023-2024, Horizon Europe, which includes
seven organic-specific calls4, based on the European action plan for organic food andfarming5 which foresees an allocation of at least 30 per cent of the budget for researchand innovation actions in the fields of agriculture, forestry and rural areas to topics
specific to or relevant for the organic sector.
New Horizon Europe instruments are the EU Missions. The mission “A Soil Deal for
Europe” aims to establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition towards
healthy soils by 2030. TP Organics (2022a) has published a position paper outlining thesoil-related organic research needs as well as a new study on organic living labs andlighthouse farms in Europe (TP Organics 2022b), demonstrating how innovative theorganic sector is in improving organic practices and inspiring the transformation of thewider agri-food system.
TP Organics moreover contributed to drafting the proposals for the new European
Research and Innovation (R&I) Partnership on Agroecology living labs and research
infrastructures6 and the European Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems.7 Both are

Cluster 6 of Horizon Europe, “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-andopen-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-6-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_en
2 Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022 https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2021-2022/wp-9-food-bioeconomy-natural-resourcesagriculture-and-environment_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf
3 The following projects are funded under the first work programme: InnOBreed – Innovative Organic Fruit
Breeding and uses, LIVESEEDING, follow-up projects of the Horizon 2020 project LIVESEED andOrganicTargets4EU.
Furthermore, two projects are funded under the call “Innovative solutions to prevent adulteration of foodbearing quality labels: focus on organic food and geographical indications”
In addition, several other projects, such as Climate Farm Demo, are relevant for the organic sector.
4 The organic-specific calls are: Selective breeding programme for organic aquaculture - Improving yields inorganic cropping systems - Increasing the availability and use of non-contentious inputs in organic farming Sustainable organic food innovation labs - Pilot network of climate-positive organic farms - Developing an
EU advisory network on organic agriculture - Organic farming thematic networks to compile and shareknowledge ready for practice.
5 Organic Action Plan for the European Union: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organicfarming/organic-action-plan_en
6 European research and innovation (R&I) partnership on agroecology living labs and research
infrastructures: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/agriculture-forestry-and-ruralareas/ecological-approaches-and-organic-farming/partnership-agroecology_en
7 European Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems: https://scar-europe.org/index.php/food-mainactions/food-systems-partnership
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Europeexpected to start in late 2023/early 2024 and will be co-funded by the European
Commission and the Member States. The Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas
for these partnerships, to the development of which TP Organics contributed, arecurrently being finalised.

European Organic Congress: On the road to achieving the EU Green Deal
On June 16-17, 2022, the European Organic Congress, organised by IFOAM Organics
Europe and INTERBIO Nouvelle Aquitaine, took place in Bordeaux, France, under thetheme “A more organic future: On the road to achieving the EU Green Deal”. Among
the Congress speakers were high-level representatives of policy-making bodies,
researchers, experts, farmers, entrepreneurs, processors, and retailers from all over
Europe to share their diverse expertise and practical insights about the recent updatesof the sector.
The Congress showcased topics such as “How EU policies can enable the ambitious andachievable targets” and “Realising the Farm to Fork & Biodiversity strategies’ targets”.

Organic movement expressed its solidarity with Ukrainian farmers
Ahead of the start of the European Organic Congress 2022, the Ukrainian organic
movement expressed solidarity with Ukrainian farmers1 and noted that the sector
should already be prepared for cooperation during the post-war period to maintain anddevelop organic production in the country.
Representatives of the Ukrainian organic movement stated that Ukraine’s recovery
should not be a return to the pre-war status but a full-fledged redevelopment andintegration into the European community based on sustainable development principles
and taking into account the European Green Deal (see also the article on organic
agriculture in Ukraine on page 265).

First Organic Organics Europe Youth Event a big success
The first Organics Europe Youth Event as a platform for the European Organic Youthmeet was held from 31 August-1 September at the Research Institute of Organic
Agriculture FiBL in Frick, Switzerland. Youth from diverse backgrounds – fromfarmers, retailers and processors to activists and politicians – were encouraged to
discuss and learn about the potential and challenges of organic production and its role
as a sustainable food system. The event fostered cross-fertilisation between different
disciplines and generated innovative ideas for the future of organic production.
Participants had the chance to grow their professional networks. The next edition will
be announced in the IFOAM Organics Europe newsletter (subscription:www.organicseurope.bio/newsletter).

The full press release from IFOAM Organics Europe “European organic movement stands in solidarity with
Ukrainian organic farmers at European Organic Congress” can be found athttps://www.organicseurope.bio/news/european-organic-movement-stands-in-solidarity-with-ukrainianorganic-farmers-at-european-organic-congress/

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References and further reading
European Commission (2020): A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system. European
Commission, Brussels. Available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:ea0f9f73-9ab2-11ea-9d2d01aa75ed71a1.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF
European Commission (2021): Communication from the commission to the European Parliament, the council, the European Economic
and Social Committee and the committee of the regions on an action plan for the development of organic production. European
Commission, Brussels. Available at EUR-Lex - 52021DC0141R(01) - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
European Parliament and the Council (2018): Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 onorganic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, pp.
1–92. Available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/848/oj
IFOAM Organics Europe (2021): Assessing organic farming support measures in current draft national CAP Strategic Plans for the
Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027. IFOAM Organics EU, Brussels. Available athttps://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/11/IFOAMEU_policy_CAP_externalbriefing_17112021.pdf?dd
IFOAM Organics Europe (2022): Evaluation of support for organic farming in draft CAP. IFOAM EU, Brussels. Available athttps://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/03/IFOAMEU_CAP_SP_feedback_20220303_final.pdf?dd
TP Organics (2022): Leveraging the potential of organic in the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’:Priority topics for Missions Work
Programme 2023-2024. TP Organics, Brussels. Available at https://tporganics.eu/wpcontent/uploads/2022/02/TPO_RnI_HorizonEU_SoilMission_Position_202202.pdf
TP Organics (2022): Organic Living Labs and Lighthouse Farm ins Europe. TP Organics Brussels. Available at https://tporganics.eu/wpcontent/uploads/2022/10/TPO_Study_Organic_Living_Labs_2022.pdf
Willer, Helga and Rasmussen, Ilse A. (2019) International Online Archive Organic Eprints – Current Status. Research Institute ofOrganic Agriculture FiBL, Frick. https://orgprints.org/37003/

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Europe › Statistics

Europe and the European Union: Key indicators 2021
Indicator

EuropeEuropean Union1

Top 3 countries in Europe

Organic farmland

17.8 million hectares (ha)15.6 million ha

Organic shareof total farmland
Increase inorganic farmland
2020-2021
Relative increasein organic
farmlandLand use

3.6 %

9.6 %

0.75 million ha

0.77 million ha

4.4%

5.2%

France (2.8 million ha); Spain(2.6 million ha); Italy (2.2
million ha)
Liechtenstein (40.2%); Austria(26.5%); Estonia (23.0%)
France (+0.23 million ha); Spain(0.20 million ha); Romania(+0.11 million ha)
North Macedonia (+109%);
Bosnia&Herzegovina (+47.5%),
Iceland (+36.7%)

Arable crops: 8.4 million ha
Permanent crops: 2.0 M ha
Permanent grassland: 6.9
million ha
Cereals: 2.9 million ha
Green fodder: 2.6 million ha
Oilseeds: 0.9 million ha

Arable crops: 7.0 million ha
Permanent crops 1.8 million ha
Permanent grassland: 6.5
million ha
Green fodder: 2.5 million ha
Cereals: 2.4 million ha
Dry pulses: 0.5 million ha

Top permanent
crop groups

Olives: 0.6 million ha
Grapes: 0.4 million ha
Nuts: 0.4 million ha

Olives: 0.6 million ha
Grapes: 0.4 million ha
Nuts: 0.4 million ha

Wild collectionarea

10.6 million ha

7.4 million ha

Producers442’274378’226

Processors

87’67682’500

Importers

7’590

6’378

Retail sales

54.5 billion euros

46.7 billion euros

Growth of retailsales 2020-2021
Organic share of
the total market
Per capita
consumption

3.8%

3.6%

No data

4.7%

65.7

104.3 euros

Top arable cropgroupsEU Organic
imports

2.87 million metric tons (MT)2

Exports to EU

Bananas (0.72 million MT)
Oilcake and sugar (0.21 million
MT each)Largest arable areas:
France (1.5 million ha); Italy(1.0 million ha); Germany (0.8
million ha)
Largest permanent crop areas:
Spain (0.8 million ha; Italy (0.5
million ha); France (0.2 million
ha)Finland (6.9million ha); Russia(0.8 million ha); North
Macedonia (0.6 million ha)
Italy (75’874); France (58’413);
Spain (52’861)
Italy (23’802); Germany(19’572); France (19’311)
Germany (2’016); France (662;2019); Italy (579)
Germany (15.9 billion euros);
France (12.7 billion euros);
Italy (3.9 billion euros)
Estonia (21.0 %); Luxembourg(15.3 %); Austria (5.8 %)Denmark (13.0 %); Austria(11.6%); Luxembourg (11.0 %)Switzerland (424 euros);
Denmark (384 euros);
Luxembourg (313 euros)
Netherlands (0.95 million MT);Germany (0.52 million MT);
Belgium (0.28 million MT)
Ecuador (0.35 million MT);
Dom. Rep. (0.27 million MT);
India (0.21 million MT);

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023. For detailed data sources, see annex

Please note that the 2021 data for the European cover the 27 countries that were members of the European
Union in 2021. The data exclude the United Kingdom and a direct year-to-year comparison of EU level data
shown in previous editions of this yearbook is therefore not possible.
2 Please note that the 2021 EU organic import data include imports from the UK, which were not included in
the 2020 data.
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Organic Farming and Market Development in Europe
and the European UnionHELGA WILLER1. BERNHARD SCHLATTER2, JAN TRÁVNÍČEK3, AND DIANASCHAACK4
In 2021, the organic sector’s development in Europe was characterised by continued
growth in all key indicators. However, the organic market did not grow as fast as in
2020, when it increased double-digit due to the pandemic, whereas the organic area
increased at a similar pace as in 2020. Both the organic farmland and market will needto grow at a faster rate to reach the 25 percent organic area share goal by 2030, as set
out for the European Union by the European Commission (2020) in its Farm to Forkstrategy.
Please note that the European Union (EU) data are not comparable to what wascommunicated in this yearbook’s previous editions. All EU data (including historical data)in this volume refer to the EU 27, that is, the 27 countries that were member states of the
EU in 2021.
Furthermore, since 2021, the statistical office of the European Union Eurostat, the main
data source for many European countries (not only the EU) does not provide the inconversion data per crop anymore. For this edition, we, therefore, continued to use theprevious conversion data in to show the total organic area by crop, as we did not want tocommunicate a drop in the crop areas when in fact there wasn’t one.

1 Key facts and figures: Production and market highlights
Organic farmland
Almost 18 million hectares of farmland were organic in Europe in 2021 – France
had the largest area
In Europe, 17.8 million hectares were managed organically in 2021 (EU: 15.6 million
hectares). With almost 2.8 million hectares, France became the new number one in termsof farmland under organic management, followed by Spain (2.6 million hectares), Italy(2.2 million hectares) and Germany (1.8 million hectares). More than half of theEuropean organic farmland is in these four countries.

European organic farmland increased by almost 0.8 million hectares
Organic land increased by 0.75 million hectares in Europe (with a major increase infarmland in France, but decreases in Turkey and Ukraine) and by almost 0.77 million

Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
4 Diana Schaack, Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH, Bonn, Germany, www.ami-informiert.de
1
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Europe › Statistics
hectares in the European Union (EU), representing an increase of 4.4 percent in Europe
and 5.2 percent in the EU. Growth was similar to that in the previous year. To achieve
the EU’s goal of 25 percent organic farmland by 2030, a higher annual growth rate isneeded.

Liechtenstein is the country with the highest organic area share in the world
Organic farmland in Europe constitutes 3.6 percent of the total agricultural land and 9.6
percent in the European Union. In Europe (and globally), Liechtenstein has the highest
organic share of all farmland (40.2 percent), followed by Austria, the country in the EUwith the highest organic share of agricultural land (26.5 percent). Furthermore, EU
countries that are already quite close to the goal include Estonia (23.0 percent) and
Sweden (20.2 percent).

In Europe, almost half of the organic farmland is used for arable crops, strong
growth of oilseeds
Both in Europe and the European Union, arable land is the most important land use
type (almost 50 percent of the organic farmland), followed by permanent grassland(almost 40 percent) and permanent crops (a bit more than 10 percent). In Europe, thekey arable crop group was cereals (2.95 million hectares) and for permanent crops
olives (0.6 million hectares). The strongest growth in 2020-2021 was noted for oilseeds(+11.4 percent), whereas the highest area share (more than 10 percent) was reached byolives and grapes.

Organic operators
More than 440’000 organic producers in Europe
There were more than 440’000 organic producers in Europe (almost 380’000 in theEuropean Union), with the largest numbers in Italy 75’874). The number of producers
increased by 5.8 percent in Europe and by 8.2 percent in the European Union.
There were 87’676 organic processors in Europe (+3.1 percent compared to 2020) and
82’500 in the European Union (+5.2 percent). The country with the largest number ofprocessors was Italy (23’802).
As in previous years, the number of importers grew faster than the number ofprocessors: More than 7’500 (+11.1 percent) were counted in Europe and more than
6’300 in the European Union (+9.2 percent). Germany had the highest number ofimporters (2’016).

Retail sales
Retail sales passed the 50 billion euro mark – Market growth slowed down
Organic retail sales in Europe were valued at 54.5 billion euros (46.7 billion euros in theEU). The EU represents the second-largest single market for organic products in theworld after the United States. With 15.9 billion euros in retail sales, Germany was thebiggest market in Europe and the second-largest in the world.
The European and EU organic markets recorded a modest growth rate of not even 4
percent in 2021, thus considerably lower than the 15 percent increase in 2020, which
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was characterised by the Corona Pandemic. Also in 2021, some markets showeddouble-digit growth; the highest growth was observed in Estonia (+21 percent). From
2012–2021, Europe’s and the European Union’s organic market values more thandoubled.

The highest organic market shares and per capita consumption are in Europe
Globally, EU countries account for the highest organic food sales shares as percentagesof their respective food markets. Denmark had the highest organic market shareglobally (13.0 percent). Austria reached 11.6 percent, and Switzerland reached 10.9.
European consumers spent 65.7 euros on organic food per person in 2021 (EU 104.3
euros). Per capita, consumer spending on organic food has doubled in the decade. Swiss
and Danish consumers spent the most on organic food (425 and 384 euros, respectively).

Organic imports stagnating – Ecuador was the largest supplier; tropical fruit is themost important commodity group
Data on organic imports to the European Union in 2021 show that 2.87 million metrictons of organic products were imported. Compared to 2020, this is an increase of three
percent.1
The largest supplier was Ecuador (0.35 million MT) and the key product group was
tropical fruits (0.8 million MT), which increased. Decreases were noted for cereals andoilseed imports. The largest EU importer was the Netherlands, which acts as a reexporter for other European countries.

It should be noted that in 2020, organic imports from the UK, which exported 0.1 million MT into the EU in
2021, were not included. The 2021 data is therefore not strictly comparable with the 2020 data.
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Europe › Statistics
2. Organic agricultural land: Area, organic share the of total, growth
2.1 Organic agricultural land
− In 2021, 17.8 million hectares were farmed organically in Europe and 15.6 million
hectares in the European Union (Table 63).
− The countries with the largest organic farmland areas were France (16 percent ofEurope's organic farmland), followed by Spain, Italy and Germany. More than halfof Europe's organic farmland (and almost 60 percent of the European Union'sorganic farmland) was in these countries (Figure 72).
− More than one-fifth of the world's organic farmland was in Europe (23 percent).

2.2 Organic shares of total agricultural land
− In Europe, 3.6 percent of the agricultural land was organic in 2021, and in theEuropean Union (EU), 9.6 percent (Figure 74).
− In 15 countries (European Union: 13), 10 percent or more of agricultural land wasmanaged organically (Figure 74).
− The countries with the highest organic area shares were Liechtenstein (40.2
percent), Austria (26.5 percent), Estonia (23.0 percent) and Sweden (20.2 percent).
Liechtenstein is the country with the highest organic farmland share in the world.

2.3 Growth of organic agricultural land
− In 2021, the organic agricultural land in Europe increased by almost 0.75 million
hectares (EU: 0.77 million hectares) or 4.4 percent (EU: 5.2 percent).
− The countries that contributed the most to the growth were France, Spain andRomania, adding more than 500'000 hectares (Figure 77).
− The highest relative increases were in North Macedonia (+109% percent), andBosnia and Herzegovina (+47.5 percent). As mentioned above, some countries
showed a decrease in organic land, most notably Bulgaria (-25.8 percent) (Figure
75).
Table 67: Europe: Organic agricultural land in Europe and the European Union 2021

European
Union
EuropeChange2020-2021[millionha]

Change2012-2021[%]

Change2012-2021[millionha]

Organic area
[million ha]

Organic
share[%]

Change2020-2021
[%]

15.6

9.6%

5.2%

+0.77

77.1%

6.8

17.8

3.6%

4.4%

+0.75

69.2%

7.3

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources. For country details, see Table 73

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2.4 Conversion status of organic farmland
Most countries provided data on their fully converted and under-conversion areas, butsuch details are not available for all countries, such as Austria, Germany, Portugal and
Switzerland (Table 74). As mentioned above, data on in-conversion area is no longer
available for crop details in most countries, because Eurostat has changed its datacollection system.
− In Europe, of the 17.8 million hectares of organic agricultural land, at least 11.7
million hectares were fully converted1 (10.6 million out of 15.6 million hectares inthe European Union).
− At least 2.2 million hectares were under conversion (2.1 million in the European
Union). The conversion area suggests that, in the future, an increase in the supplyof organic products can be expected. However, the conversion area in theEuropean Union has decreased in terms of hectares even though total organic
farmland increased.
− By country, the largest in-conversion areas are in Western and Southern European
countries. Please note that not all countries provided updated data (Table 74).

Figure 72: Europe and European Union: Distribution of organic farmland by country2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat
For detailed data sources, see annex

1

Excluding Austria, Germany, Portugal, the Russian Federation and Switzerland
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Europe › Statistics

Figure 73: Europe: Organic agricultural land by country 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat national data sources.
For detailed data sources, see annex.

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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Statistics

Figure 74: Europe: Organic shares of total agricultural land 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat. For detailed data sources, see annex of thisbook.
EU Candidates = Candidates and Potential Candidate countries of the European Union; EFTA = European Free Trade
Association; EU = European Union; EU-13 = countries, which became members of the European Union in or after May
2004; EU-14 = countries, which were member countries of the European Union before May 2004 (excluding the UK).

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Europe › Statistics

Figure 75: Europe and the European Union: Development of organic agricultural land
2000-2021
Source: FiBL-AMI Surveys 2006-2021 based on national data sources and Eurostat. The data for the European Union
covers all countries that were members of the European Union in 2021

Figure 76: Europe: Growth rates for organic agricultural land in Europe and theEuropean Union 2000-2021
Source: FiBL-AMI Surveys 2002-2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat

242

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Statistics

Figure 77: Europe: The ten countries with the highest growth in organic agriculturalland in hectares and relative growth in 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat
For detailed data sources, see annex.

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Europe › Statistics
3 Land use and crops grown in organic agriculture
3.1 Land use
For all countries in Europe, land use and crop details are available. In this respect,
Europe differs substantially from other parts of the world, where often such data is notavailable. The area for all land use types1 has grown steadily since 2004.2 It should be
noted, though, that for several European countries, 2021 updates on land use and crops
were not or only partly available. Furthermore, in-conversion areas for crops are notavailable anymore, which means that for those countries, where we receive the datafrom Eurostat estimates had to be made on the current organic areas by crop (fully
converted and in-conversion), using the in-conversion data from the previous years.
Table 68: Europe and the European Union: Land use 2021
Crop group

Europe[Million hectares](Share of total)

European Union[Million hectares](Share of total)

Change2020-2021
Europe/EU [%]Change2012-2021
Europe/EU [%]

8.5 (3.8%)

7.1 (7.1%)+3.9%+4.4%+71.6%/+78.9%

Arable land
Permanent
grassland
Permanent crops

6.9 (4.0%)

6.5 (12.7%)+2.7%/+2.6%+41.1%/+50.1%

2.0 (11.5%)

1.8 (14.7%)+4.8%+/7.2%

83.5%/83.0%

Total

17.8 (3.6%)

15.6 (9.6%)+4.4%/+5.2%

60.0%/66.5%

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat.
Note: Total includes other agricultural land and correction values for double-cropped areas.

Organic agricultural land by land use− Table 68, Figure 78 and Figure 81 show that arable land constitutes a large part oforganic farmland, with almost 8.5 million hectares in Europe and 7.1 million
hectares in the European Union (47 and 45 percent of the organic farmland,
respectively). The arable land share is higher in Europe, as the Russian Federationand Ukraine have large areas for producing cereals, oilseeds and dry pulses. The
arable land grew faster in the past years than the organic grassland did.
− Permanent grassland accounted for 6.9 million hectares in Europe and 6.5 million
hectares in the European Union. By country, the largest permanent
grassland/grazing area was in Spain with almost 1.3 million hectares, followed byGermany and France (Figure 81).
− Permanent crops constituted 11.5 percent of the total permanent cropland inEurope and 14.7 percent in the European Union, with 2.0 and 1.8 million hectares,
respectively.

The main land use types are:Arable land crops (mainly cereals, fresh vegetables, green fodder and dry pulses and oilseeds)
Permanent grassland (pastures and meadows), andPermanent crops (fruit trees and berries, olive groves and vineyards).
2 In 2004, FiBL started its data collection on organic crop and land use data.
1

›
›
›

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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Statistics
Share of total agricultural land•••Compared to total agriculture (based on FAO and Eurostat land use data and notstrictly comparable), organic arable land constituted 3.8 percent of the total arable
land in Europe and 7.1 percent of that in the EU.
Whereas the organic share of total permanent grassland areas was as high as 12.7
percent in the European Union, it was considerably lower in Europe as a whole(4.0 percent).
Permanent crops had the highest organic area shares: 11.5 percent in Europe and14.7 percent in the EU.

Increase by land use type•••The largest increase in 2021-2021 was in permanent crops (a 5.7 percent increasein Europe and a 6.1 percent increase in the EU), mainly because additionalorganic permanent crop area was reported for Spain.
Permanent grassland increased by 2.7 percent in Europe and 2.6 percent in the
EU (Table 68, Figure 79, Figure 80.).
The arable farmland grew by 3.9 percent in Europe and 4.4 percent in the EU.
From 2012 to 2021, arable land grew in Europe by 71.6 percent and in the EU by
78.9 percent, thus showing a greater increase than the permanent crops or
permanent grassland (Table 68, Figure 79, Figure 80). These numbers show theintensification of organic agriculture as the relevance of grassland is decreasing,whereas arable land is gaining importance.

Figure 78: Europe and European Union: Distribution of land use in organic agriculture2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources

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Europe › Statistics

Figure 79: Europe: Growth in organic agricultural land by land use type 2004-2021
Source: FiBL-AMI Surveys 2006-2022 based on national data sources and Eurostat

Figure 80: European Union: Growth in organic agricultural land by land use type 20042021
Source: FiBL-AMI Surveys 2006-2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat

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Figure 81: Europe: Land use in organic agriculture - top 10 countries 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources

3.2 Crops grown in organic agriculture
In 2021, all key arable and permanent crop groups showed growth in the European
Union (Table 69).

Arable crops− A large proportion of the organic arable land is used to produce cereals and green
fodder, which account for almost two-thirds of the organic arable land.
− Regarding the organic share, dry pulses are the most successful crop; in theEuropean Union, they account for almost one-quarter of the total dry pulses area.
In organic farming, they are important for crop rotation and animal feeding. In
contrast, they are disappearing in conventional farming, as protein crops foranimal feed are imported, and synthetic fertilisers are used.
− Oilseeds showed by far the highest increase in land area. Both from 2020 to 2021
and the 2012-2021 period, the largest growth was noted for oilseeds, which morethan trebled in Europe and increased by 400 percent in Europe, with the RussianFederation (soybeans, sunflowers and rapeseed) and Ukraine (soybeans andsunflowers) being the largest producers. Oilseeds are the basis for important

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Europe › Statistics
feedstuffs. For more information about crop groups by country, see the crop
chapters in this book (page 84) and our online database at statistics.fibl.org.

Permanent crops− A large part of the permanent cropland is used to grow olives, grapes, and nuts.
Olives cover almost one-third of the permanent crop area, and grapes almost onequarter.
− Both reached an organic share of more than ten percent of their respective totals.
− In 2021, the area for all key permanent crops except nuts decreased (Table 69).1
The organic shares for most permanent crops were higher than those for the arable
crops. However, it should be noted that the Eurostat data, with which the organic data
are compared, do not include all berries or nut types grown in organic agriculture.
Thus, a direct comparison is not possible in all cases. For more information about cropgroups by country, see the crop chapters in this book (page 84) and our online databaseat statistics.fibl.org.
Table 69: Europe and the European Union: Key crops/crop group 2021,
Crop group

Arable crops

EuropeEU

2’947’005

Oilseeds
Root crops

921’718
57’8892’407’885
495’554202’261
2’461’71
9452’349
56’018

Berries
Citrus fruit
Fruit, temperate
Fruit, (sub)tropical
GrapesNuts
Olives41’28154’904
156’654
38’565435’216437’525618’525

36’157
54’113135’970
21’982422’736378’595
557’726

Cereals

Permanent crops

Area (ha)Dry pulses
Fresh vegetables
Green fodder569’895
230’155
2’624’762

Organic share(%)

Change 2020-2021(%)

Change 2012-2021(%)

EuropeEU

EuropeEurope

EU

2.2%

4.6%

-2.8%

-1.5%

54.3%

60.1%

9.8%
5.1%
11.5%

23.7%
10.1%
11.7%

1.2%
-3.1%
-2.4%

3.7%
-5.7%
-2.6%

125.8%
134.3%
34.3%

119.2%
159.6%
52.2%

2.4%
0.7%

4.1%
1.8%

11.4%
3.7%

9.1%
7.6%

378.7%
26.2%

201.4%
90.2%

13.3%
7.9%
5.7%
16.0%
11.2%
15.9%
10.2%

24.1%
10.4%
11.2%
13.1%
13.3%
27.5%
10.9%

-9.3%
-7.8%
-9.5%
-10.9%
-0.9%
16.2%
-1.1%

-4.2%
-7.9%
-3.6%
5.3%
-0.8%
16.1%
-0.5%

46.1%
116.7%
23.2%
134.6%
80.1%
153.7%
35.5%

39.1%
119.5%
24.2%
281.2%
84.0%
148.5%
32.8%

EU

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat. Totals for arable and permanent crops inother tables include further crop groups
Note: For crop details by country, please check the crop chapter in this book from page 84 and statistics.fibl.org

3.3 Further organic areas
In addition to the agricultural land, there are further organic areas. Large parts of these
are wild collection areas constituting 10.6 million hectares (European Union: 7.4 million
hectares). The largest wild collection area in Europe (and in the world) was in Finlandwith 6.9 million hectares (mainly berries). For country details on wild collection areas,
see Table 76.

1 This may be partly attributed to the fact that Eurostat does not provide the total organic area for the crops
anymore, only for fully converted. It should be noted though that FiBL made an estimate for the total organicarea per crop.

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4 Producers, processors, importers and exporters
While data on organic producers are available for almost all countries, this is not thecase for processors and importers and even less for exporters. Although data
availability is improving, it is still not possible to draw a clear picture of the lattergroups over the years. Hence, in Table 70, the development is not shown for the numberof exporters.
Table 70: Europe and European Union: Organic operators 2021
EuropeEuropean Union
No.

Growth 1
year

Growth 10
years

No.

Growth 1
year

Growth 10
years

Producers442’274

5.8%

38.0%

378’226

8.2%

51.8%

Processors

87’676

3.1%

91.1%

82’500

5.2%

93.4%

Importers

7’590

11.1%

132.8%

6’378

9.2%

111.2%

Exporters

3’118

N/A%

N/A

2’404

N/A

N/A

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat. For a breakdown by country, see. annex.

Organic producers− In 2021, there were more than 440'000 organic producers in Europe and almost
380'000 in the European Union (Table 70 and Table 77). The country with thelargest number of producers was Italy (more than 70’000 (Figure 84).
− Growth in the European Union (+8.2 percent) was stronger than in Europe as awhole (5.8 percent). Over the decade 2012-2021, the number of producers in
Europe increased by 38 percent (EU: 52 percent). A bit more than ten percent of theworld's organic farmers are in Europe (Figure 82).

Organic processors and importers− There were more than 87'000 organic processors in Europe (+2.9 percent compared
to 2019) and more than 82'000 in the European Union (+4.9 percent).
− The country with the largest number of processors was Italy.
− The importers continued to be the fastest growing group: More than 7’500
importers (+11.1 percent growth) were counted in Europe and more than 6’300 in
the European Union (+9.2percent).
− Germany was the country with the most importers (2’016) (Table 70, Table 77,
Figure 83).

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Europe › Statistics

Figure 82: Europe and the European Union: Development of the number of organic
producers 2000-2021
Source: FiBL-AMI surveys 2002-2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat

Figure 83: Europe: Distribution of organic producers and processors by country 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on national data sources and Eurostat

250

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Statistics

Figure 84: Europe: Number of organic producers by country 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources and Eurostat. For detailed data sources, see annex.

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Europe › Statistics
5 Organic imports and exports
The European Union, which is the second-biggest organic market, provided data on its
organic imports, showing, for the fourth time, the key import products and key
importing countries (based on volume in metric tons MT). Furthermore, the UnitedStates has both export and import data (volume and value). Some European countries
provide export and import values. As the data is not complete (apart from the EU
organic imports), it is difficult to conclude on total values and growth rates for Europe
as a whole.
For this chapter we have compiled organic import volumes (metric tons) into the EU
and US as well as import and export values (in million euros). Available data isdisplayed in Table 79.

Figure 85: EU organic imports: Top 10 EU importers of organic products
Source Trace/European Commissions− Import volumes: In 2021, the EU imported a total of 2.87 million MT of organic
agri-food products.
− By importing country: The biggest importers (based on import volume in metrictons) were the Netherlands (0.95 million MT), followed by Germany and Belgium.
For the Dutch imports, it should be noted that a large part of the goods is resold toother EU countries. For a full list, see Table 80.
− Increase in 2021: Compared to 2020, EU organic imports increased by 2.8 percent(Figure 54). It should be noted though that in 2020, EU organic imports from theUK, which constituted 0.1 million MT in 2021, were not yet included; thus the 2020
and 2021 data are not strictly comparable.
252

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Statistics− EU organic import volume by product: Bananas were the most important productwith 0.72 million MT (one-quarter of all EU organic imports), followed by oil cakesand sugar with 0.2 million MT each.
− European export volumes: According to the combined US and EU data, a volume
of at least 0.68 million metric tons was exported to the United States from
European countries, with 0.24 million MT coming from Ukraine.
− European export and import value: Not much data is available on this. Italy
showed the largest export value (2.9 billion euros), and France had the highest
import value (2.8 billion euros). No such data was available from Germany, thebiggest market in Europe.
− EU import volume by exporting country: Ecuador was the biggest supplier oforganic agri-food products to the EU, with 0.35 million MT; this corresponds to12.0 percent of the total organic import volume. The largest increase in volume
was noted for India (an increase of more than 30’000 MT). The UK, for which
export data to the EU had not been available previously, supplied more than
100’000 MT of products.
For more information, see the contribution about EU organic imports on page 137.

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Europe › Statistics
6 Organic retail sales
In 2021, the organic market in Europe grew to 54.5 billion euros (European Union:
46.7 billion euros), but at a considerably slower rate than in the previous years, andother than in the past the market grew slower than the organic farmland.
Unfortunately, not all countries provide data on their domestic markets regularly(Table 78), and it may be assumed that the market is larger than indicated by the figures
in Table 71 and Table 78.
Table 71: Europe and the European Union: Organic retail sales 2021: Key data
Retail sales[Million €]Per capita
consumption [€]Growth
2020-2021 [%]Growth
2012-2021 [%]Europe54’539.0

65.7

3.8%

140.2%

European Union

46’665.0

104.3

3.6%

148.8%

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources. For country details, see annex.
Please note that the EU number is not comparable to what was communicated in previous years as only the countries
that were a member of the EU in 2021 were included.

6.1 Size of the organic market
Germany continued to be the largest market in Europe (almost 16 billion euros) (Figure87), and, after the United States, it is the second biggest organic market in the world.
France holds second place in Europe with 12.7 billion euros Figure 87).

Figure 86: Europe: Distribution of retail sales by country and by single market
worldwide 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources

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Comparing organic markets by single markets, the United States had the lead. Thirtynine percent of global organic retail sales were in the United States (48.6 billion euros),followed by the European Union (46.7 billion euros; 38, Figure 86).
Comparing retail sales by continent, Europe had 44 percent (54.5 billion euros), whereas
North America constituted 43 percent (53.9 billion euros). Thus the picture has changed
compared to 2020, when North America had the lead; a change, which must partly be
attributed to the fluctuating euro – US dollar exchange rate.

Figure 87: Europe: Retail sales by country 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources. Please note that 2021 data were not available for all
countries. For detailed data sources, see annex.

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Europe › Statistics
6.2 Growth of the organic market
The organic market grew in Europe and the EU by approximately 3.8 and 3.6 percent,respectively, the lowest growth rate in more than a decade (see section 6.7 of thissubchapter). From 2012 to 2021, the organic market more than doubled in size (Figure
88).
Most countries for which new data were available showed growth: most of these grew
single digits (Figure 89). An exception were Estonia and Luxembourg which grew by
21 and 15 percent, respectively (Figure 89, Table 78).

6.3 Per capita consumption of organic foodLike in the previous years, the highest per capita consumption of organic food was in
Switzerland (425 euros) and Denmark (384 euros). Switzerland is the number one in theworld in terms of per capita consumption. Nine countries had a per capita consumptionof more than 100 euros in 2021 (Figure 90, Table 78).
The continual growth in consumer interest is well documented by the development of
per capita consumption, with a specific notable increase in 2020 but slower growth in
2021 (Figure 91). The per capita consumption in Europe rose to 65.7 euros and to 104.3
euros in the European Union.
In Central Eastern European countries, consumer spending is still low (Table 78). There
are indications that markets are currently developing fast, especially in the Baltic
countries.1
However, retail sales data are scarce for some countries and not regularly updated.
Whereas the availability and accessibility of the area and operator data is good, theCzech Republic and Estonia are the only countries with a permanent collection system
for retail sales data.

6.4 Organic market shares
The organic share of retail sales shows the importance of the organic market in a given
country. As in the past, the highest market shares were reached in Denmark (13 percent,highest organic market share in the world), Austria (11.6 percent) and Switzerland (10.9
percent) (Figure 92, Table 78). Market shares of individual products and product groups
can be far higher; these data are provided in Table 72.
In the past, in many countries, the total food market was not growing, and food prices
were decreasing, which made organic shares of the total market grow even faster. The
pandemic interrupted that development and caused the general food markets to growrapidly. Furthermore, the war in Ukraine, the high energy costs and the increased costof living have spurred inflation in many countries and conventional food has become
significantly more expensive again. This development has also had an effect on theorganic market shares.

1

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

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Figure 88: Growth of organic retail sales in Europe and the European Union, 20002021
Source: FiBL-AMI surveys 2004-2022, and OrganicDataNetwork Surveys 2013-2015

Figure 89: Europe: The countries with the highest organic market growth 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI surveys 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex.
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Europe › Statistics

Figure 90: Europe: The countries with the highest per capita consumption 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources. For detailed data sources, see annex.

Figure 91: Europe: Growth of the per capita consumption 2010-2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources. Calculation based on Eurostat population data. For
detailed data sources, see annex.

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Figure 92: Europe: The countries with the highest shares of the total retail sales 2020
and 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources. For detailed data sources, see annex.

6.5 Comparison of organic products and product groups with the total market
While the organic share of the total market is an important indicator, it is also important
to look at the organic market shares that individual products can have. In many
countries, organic eggs are one of the success stories within the total retail market, andthey reach impressive proportions of the entire egg market. Table 72 shows that, in
Denmark and France, eggs reach organic market shares of more than 30 percent (invalue). On the other hand, they are the first organic product with a saturated market
resulting in oversupply as observed in Germany.
Organic fruit and vegetables continue to be highly popular purchases among European
organic consumers. Organic vegetables have the highest market shares after eggs,
representing 10 percent or more of the sales value of all vegetables sold. Individual
products can reach even higher market shares. For example, fresh carrots have a market
share of more than 30 percent in Germany and of almost 60 percent in Denmark. In
Sweden and Switzerland, organic dairy products are reaching organic market shares of
10 percent or higher. On the other hand, products like organic beverages (except wine)
and meat (especially poultry) have low market shares in many countries. These
products are often highly processed and very cheap on the conventional market.
Another factor is that many organic consumers tend to eat little or no meat.

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259

30.2

- Cheese- Milk

1.6

4.1

4.1

1.6

0.4

44.6

11.3

25.0

13.6
(beef)

4.0

2.0

7.0

9.1

15.7

2.6

7.4

5.8

3.2

8.2

8.8

10.4

17.1

6.1

7.5

5.9
(meat)

10.1

13.7

25.7

7.7
(bread)Italy (2019)
6.1

8.1

1.0

2.8

3.6

2.9

7.7

6.6

4.7

19.8

4.0

3.0

4.8

0.9

Netherlands
4.0

3.3

4..5

1.4

17.0
3.3

Spain (2017)
1.1

1.2

1.7

0.6

2.9

Sweden
14.1

1.9

2.9

22.2

0.9

25.9

26.8

8.4

11.4

21.6
6.2
(incl.
fish)

19.4

23.8

29.2

4.5
26.3
(breadonly)

Switzerland

8.2

5.1

1.1

3.5

1.6

0.5

3.0

4.8

1.1

8.8

0.3

59.6

260

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Sources: FiBL-AMI survey 2023, based on data from Austria: RollAMA based on GfK, Belgium: Biowallonie; Czech Republic: UZEI; Denmark: Organic Denmark based on Kauzas Houshold panels,
provided by Danish Agriculture & Food Council (please note that the data source has changed and a direct year-to-year comparison is not possible), Finland: Pro Luomu; France: Agence Bio, forsome products supermarket sale; Germany: Agricultural Market Information Company AMI based on GfK; Italy: supermarkets and discounters only, data provided by Marche Polytechnic University;
Netherlands: Bionext; Norway: Sweden: Ekologiska Lantbrukarna, Ekomatcentrum and Organic Sweden; Switzerland: Bio Suisse based on Nielsen; UK: Soil Association. Note: Due to classifications
and nomenclatures differing from country to country, it is not possible to supply data for all product groups, even if data for individual products may be available. Not all countries have data on themarket shares of organic products.

26.3.3

11.1- Butter- Yoghurt

14.1

12.1

Milk and dairy products

6.2(meat)

Meat and meat products

6.9

14.2

Fruit

Vegetables and fruit

7.6

5.0

37.2
3.1

8.8

20.0

5.3

5.5

26.9

20.5

47.4

24.0

FinlandFresh vegetables

21.8

Denmark(2021)
18.7(juice)France(2019)Fish and fish products

Eggs

0.9

23.9

Austria

Bread & bakery
products

5.1(bread)Belgium

0.5

Czech
Republic(2020)

Beverages

Baby food

Germany

Table 72: Organic shares for retail sales values (euros) for selected products 2021

Europe › Statistics

UK (2020)

Europe › Statistics
6.6 Marketing channels in organic agriculture
Some countries are in a position to break down their retail sales data by marketing
channel. Wherever possible, the figure for catering sales was deducted from the figure
for the total organic market (Table 78).

Figure 93: Europe: Marketing channels for organic products in selected countries 2021
Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources.
For detailed data sources, see annex.

Figure 93 shows that the importance of the various retail marketing channels (excluding
food service/catering) differs from country to country. In the past, countries with strong
involvement by general retailers showed steady organic market growth (e.g., Austria,
Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom). France and Italy are good
examples of countries with strong market growth, where specialised retailers play asignificant role, even though their importance is decreasing, as shown in Figure 94.
In all countries displayed in Figure 94, strongest growth in the 2017-2021 period wasnoted for the general retailers. In Germany for instance, supermarkets have become thedriving force in the market, whereas specialised retailers face more and morecompetition. While in 2014, 33 percent of all organic products were sold in organic foodshops, this number decreased to 22.6 percent in 2021. Supermarket chains have foundedpartnerships with organic associations and sell products with their brands.

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Europe › Statistics

Figure 94: Europe: Growth of marketing channels for organic products 2017-2021 inselected countries
Sources: Austria: AMA Marketing, Denmark: Danish Agriculture & Food Council, France: Agence Bio, Germany:
Arbeitskreis Biomarkt/AMI, Italy: Nomisma, Switzerland: Bio Suisse.

6.7 The European organic market: Effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine
Effects of the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted most people’s purchasing
behaviour and has given the organic market an unprecedented upturn in many
countries. People have been staying home to eat, and out-of-home meals have been
reduced to a minimum. On the other hand, in general, food sales in supermarkets haveincreased rapidly. Organic food sales have accelerated even faster. When consumers
have the choice, which they don’t have in canteens and restaurants, they more often
buy organic products; for example, in 2020, the growth of the organic market inGermany was twice as strong as the general food market. Health, environment andclimate change have become big issues among the population – even more so during
the pandemic.
Many shops have become innovative in selling food, adapting to consumer preferences
for not leaving home or going too far for shopping. Online sale options, like
subscription boxes for organic food, have grown tremendously along with other formsof contactless shopping, such as “Click and Collect.”

Post pandemic developments
The pandemic continued to boost organic markets in many European countries in 2021,
but not to the same extent as in the first Corona year of 2020, when the market grew by
15 percent. The level reached in 2020 was maintained (3.8 percent growth in Europe).
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In addition, normal life returned in many countries in the second half of the year. People
cooked less at home and travelled more.
− Estonia achieved the biggest growth in 2021 with a 21 percent increase as the rangeof products offered in stores was significantly expanded. Luxembourg alsoachieved double-digit growth of 15 percent.
− Many countries, such as Belgium, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, achieved growth rates of around 4 to 6 percent.
− Some countries showed stable to slightly negative developments: Denmark,France, Finland, Italy and the Netherlands.
− In Sweden, the market shrank for the second year in a row, this time by 5 percent.

The war in Ukraine and its impact on the organic market
After two successful years, organic market growth in Europe turned around in 2022with the start of the war in Ukraine. The cost of living has skyrocketed in many
countries, with inflation reaching unprecedented levels of 10 percent and more in thesecond half of the year. Thus, people are keeping their money together and saving
where it is easiest: food. People are buying smaller, more targeted quantities andthrowing less away. People’s awareness of organic, environmental and health issues
remains. However, due to decreasing incomes and increasing prices for many
consumer goods, such as energy, some population groups have reduced their spending
on organic products.
Nevertheless, buying organic remains a relevant topic; however, people are trying to
get organic products cheaper. In Germany, for example, this is reflected in thecontinued double-digit growth rates for organic products in discounters, despite thefact that the biggest price increases were recorded there. Increasing prices for bothproducers and consumers is a big issue and impacts market structures. Many
processing companies are struggling, and others have even gone bankrupt. Therefore,
2023 will be a challenging year for the organic sector. To reach the EU Farm to Forktarget of 25 percent organic farmland in Europe by 2030, appropriate and timely
support measures are needed.

Acknowledgements
Part of this work was done under the OrganicTargets4EU project, which is funded by the European Union(Grant no. 101060368) and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)(Grant no. 22.00155). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do notnecessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Research Executive Agency (REA) or Swiss State
Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Neither the European Union nor any othergranting authority can be held responsible for them.
Furthermore, the data collection builds on that of the OrganicDataNetwork (“Data network for better
European organic market information”) project, which was funded by the European Union (EU) under its
seventh framework programme for research, demonstration, and technological development (Grant
agreement no 289376).
The authors would like to thank all of those who have provided data and information for this report.

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Europe › Statistics
References and further reading
European Commission (2021): E1 imports of organic agri-food products. Key developments in 2021. EU Agricultural Market Briefs, No
19, September 2022
Eurostat (2022): Data tables organic agriculture. The Eurostat website eurostat.ec.europa.eu Eurostat, Luxembourg. Available at
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database
Meredith, S. and Willer, H. (Eds.) (2016): Organic in Europe 2016. IFOAM EU, Brussels
Willer, H. and Schaack, D. (2014) Final report on the compilation of key organic market data. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture(FiBL), Frick, Switzerland.

Note on data collection and countries covered
Like in the rest of the world, data collection in Europe is carried out using multiple information sources.
However, we would like to point out that Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office, is constantly
expanding its data collection effort in the field of organic agriculture, and most of the data on organic areas,
livestock, and operators was taken from Eurostat.
This article focusses on organic farming and market statistics in Europe and includes:› the 27 Member States of the European Union, which consist of the EU-13 countries that became membersof the European Union in or after May 2004, and the EU-14 countries, who were member countries of theEuropean Union before the accession of ten candidate countries on May 1, 2004. The United Kingdom,which left the European Union in 2020, is not included in the 2020 European Union level data.
› The EU Candidate and Potential Candidate countries (CPC): Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North
Macedonia; Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey),› the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein,
Switzerland,› Other European countries: Andorra, Belarus, Moldova, Russian Federation, San Marino, Ukraine and theUnited Kingdom.

264

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Organic in UkraineTARAS VYSOTSKYI1, ANDRII REMIZOV2 AND NATALIE PROKOPCHUK3
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, theUkrainian organic sector, as the entire agri-food industry, has suffered from Russian
aggression. In this article, the current situation of the organic sector in Ukraine is
described as well as the effects of the Russian invasion.

Area and operators
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine collected operational monitoringdata as of 31 December 2021 from control bodies that certified organic production/
circulation in Ukraine according to the European Union’s organic regulation and theUnited States National Organic Program (NOP): agricultural area (organic and inconversion), 422’299 hectares (1 percent of total farmland) were under organic
management. Of these, 370’110 hectares were fully converted. There were 528
operators; of these 418 were agricultural producers.
Most organic operators in Ukraine are certified according to the EU organic regulation;others are also certified according to the United States’ National Organic Program NOP,
the Canadian Organic Regime COR, the Swiss Bio Suisse, Naturland and Bioland from
Germany, and KRAV (Sweden).

ExportOrganic export has a major share in the Ukrainian organic market. According to theOrganic Market Study of Ukraine4, in 2021 the total Ukrainian organic export volume
was about 261’000 metric tons, which corresponds to 222 million US dollars5, 82 percentof which were exported to the EU. In 2021, organic export from Ukraine to Europe
reached 189’2390 metric tons, and Ukraine ranked 5th by volume of organic agri-foodproducts imported to the EU.6

1 Taras Vysotskyi, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine,

https://minagro.gov.ua/en/tag/organichne-virobnictvo
2 Andrii Remizov, Director, State Institution “Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office”,
https://business.diia.gov.ua/en/eepo
3 Natalie Prokopchuk, Organic Component Coordinator, Swiss-Ukrainian Program “Higher Value-Added
Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), www.qftp.org
4 The Organic Market Study Ukraine 2021 was conducted by the control body Organic Standard (Ukraine) in
partnership with OrganicInfo.ua (Ukraine) with the support of Switzerland within the framework of the
Swiss-Ukrainian Programs “Higher Value-Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine”(QFTP) and “Organic Trade for Development’’ (OT4D).
5 In 2021, 1.1827 US dollars corresponded to 1 euro, according to the European Central Bank.
6 European Commission/TRACES (2022): EU Organic Imports.
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-09/agri-market-brief-19-organic-imports_en.pdf

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Europe › Ukraine
The largest importing countries of Ukrainian organic products (by volume) in 2021
were the Netherlands, the USA, Lithuania, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, theUK, Italy and Denmark. Ukraine also exported to some Asian countries and the United
Arab Emirates. Ukraine has 18 free trade agreements with 46 countries.1
The top 10 organic products exported from Ukraine in 2021 were corn, soybean, wheat(including spelt), sunflower cake, rapeseed, sunflower oil, frozen blueberries,
sunflower seeds, millet, frozen elderberries. More organic products with a higher
added value appeared in Ukraine’s export portfolio over the last years, such as organicoil (sunflower and others), various frozen, dried and fresh berries and fruits, tomato
paste, sugar and others.
Despite the full-scale war, according to the analysis of Organic Standard based on
TRACES, during 2022 Ukraine exported 225’814 metric tons of organic products to the
EU and Switzerland, a 13 percent increase compared to 2021 (200’239 metric tons). The
volume of organic exports increased for railway and road vehicles, but decreased forvessels.
The state institution “Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office” plays a leadingrole in organic export facilitation and capacity development for Ukrainian organic
exporters.

Domestic market
According to the Organic Market Study of Ukraine 2021, domestic sales of Ukrainianorganic products reached 9’780 metric tons (about 33 million US dollars) in 2021, whichshows an 11 percent increase in volume and 27 percent increase in value compared tothe previous year (8’778 metric tons or 26 million US dollars in 2020).
Organic products on the Ukrainian domestic market include dairy products,
vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms; cereals, groats, flour, and seeds; juices, drinks,
puree, canned products; eggs; meat products; oils in assortment; herbs and spices,sugar; bakery products; dumplings, honey, tea, etc. The largest sales channels fororganic products are supermarkets in the big cities of Ukraine.

Stakeholders
There are active organic stakeholders in Ukraine: Organic Initiative (stakeholder
platform), Organic Standard (certification body), Organic Ukraine (NGO), Organic
Federation of Ukraine, Information centre “Green Dossier”, Organic Business School,
Ecoterra NGO, Ukrainian Berries Association and others.

International support
Ukraine has been receiving international support for organic market development
through the technical assistance projects financed by Switzerland (SECO), Germany(BMEL), the EU and USA (USAID).

1 https://ukraine.ua/invest-trade/trade-with-ukraine/

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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Ukraine
PolicyThe Law of Ukraine on organic1 has been applied since 2 August 2019. All
corresponding bylaws were approved.
On 3 March 2021, the Ukrainian government approved the National Economic Strategy
with two organic indicators:− The organic area should increase to up to three percent of the total agriculturalland, and− organic exports should increase up to one billion US dollars by 2030.
Ukraine set “organic agriculture development” as an indicator to show Ukraine’s
progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following the path of European integration, Ukraine celebrated and launched 23
September as the Organic Day in Ukraine2, the same day as in the EU. Ukraine is on theEuropean Organic Map.3
Organic remains one of the priorities for the development of the agri-food sector at thestate level aiming at full implementation of the Ukrainian organic legislation and its
adaptation with the new EU organic regulation.

The organic sector during the war
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, theUkrainian organic sector, as the entire agri-food industry, has been suffering from theRussian aggression. According to a survey4 conducted by the Organic Initiative and the
NGO Organic Ukraine, the most significant negative impact on the production
processes include the overall safety situation (74 percent), access to financial resources(72 percent), destroyed infrastructure (65 percent), lack of fuel and lubricants (79percent).
Many organic operators have experienced direct losses because of occupation anddirect hits, seaports blockade, destruction of infrastructure facilities and supply chains,
and a significant increase in prices of inputs, fuel and logistics. The main problems ofthe domestic organic market are the disrupted supply chains, migration of many

1››

Ukrainian organic legislation at the Ukrainian Parliament’s website:
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2496-19?lang=en#Text
Scheme of Ukrainian organic legislation (EN): https://organicinfo.ua/wpcontent/uploads/2022/05/Scheme_Organic-Law-UA_31_05_2022_EN.pdf› Ukrainian organic legislation overview (list of by-laws): https://organicinfo.ua/UA_Bylaws_list_UA_EN.pdf
2 Website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine: Ukraine and EU together celebrate theOrganic Day; available at https://minagro.gov.ua/en/news/ukraine-and-eu-together-celebrate-organic-day
3

Website of IFOAM Organics Europe :European Organic Day; available athttps://www.organicseurope.bio/get-involved/european-organic-day/
4 OrganicInfo website: Situation in the Ukrainian organic sector after 5 months of Russia’s full-fledged
invasion; available at https://organicinfo.ua/en/news/statement-july2022/
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Europe › Ukraine
organic consumers to other regions and abroad, decreased purchasing power and,
therefore, reduced demand for organic.
Massive hits on energy infrastructure facilities caused power cuts and emergency
blackouts in the majority of regions in Ukraine. Lack of light, water, heating, internet
and mobile connection have become a part of the new life and work conditions for
Ukrainians.
Most of the Oblast state administrations in Ukraine, used to support organic producers
in their regions. However, due to martial law in the country, regional support fororganic producers was suspended. The organic digital communication campaign,
which was launched by the Organic Initiative, targeting consumers in 2021, waspostponed, as well as the introduction of organic products into public procurement forschools and kindergartens in Ukraine due to the full-scale war.
Despite the difficult situation, the Ukrainian organic sector and policymakers continue
to work hard for recovery and further organic market development. It is very importantto support them.1

More information
More about organic in Ukraine: www.organicinfo.ua

Grant Program “Support of organic sector in Ukraine «of the Organic Initiative:
https://organicinitiative.org.ua/en/special-project/organic-sector-support/
1

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FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Tables
Table 73: Europe: Organic agricultural land by country 2021
Please note that not for all countries 2021 data were available.
Country
Albania
AndorraAustria
BelarusBelgium
Bosnia &Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
Total Europe
Total EU

Organic agr.
land [ha]Organic share[%]

Change2020-2021 [%]Change2012-2021 [%]Change2020-2021 [ha]1’094
2679’119
6’725
101’828
2’495

0.1%
0.0%
26.5%
0.1%
7.4%
0.1%

23.4%
5.5%
-0.1%
-1.6%
2.8%
47.5%

95.3%

207
0
-753
-113
2’753
803

86’310180
121’924
7’738
558’124299’998
226’605251
327’736
2’776’554
1’802’231
534’629
293’597
6’440
86’8682’186’159
1’990
291’150
1’423
261’782
6’893
66
28’368
4’404
76’375
7’794
45’112509’286308’289578’718655’457
23’527
222’896
52’0782’635’442
606’669
181’444327’583422’299489’200
14’868’780
15’639’063

1.7%
2.0%
8.1%
5.7%
15.8%
11.4%
23.0%
8.4%
14.4%
9.6%
10.8%
10.1%
5.9%
0.4%
1.9%
16.7%
0.5%
14.8%
40.2%
8.9%
5.2%
0.6%
1.3%
1.7%
4.2%
0.6%
4.6%
3.5%
7.8%
4.3%
0.3%
0.7%
11.7%
10.8%
10.8%
20.2%
17.4%
0.9%
1.0%
2.8%
9.2%
9.6%

-25.8%
12.3%
30.8%
3.4%
0.0%
2.6%
0.0%
4.0%
8.9%
5.9%
-2.6%
36.7%
16.3%
4.3%
24.1%
0.0%
-4.5%
11.2%
12.7%
-2.1%
2.7%
-8.7%
6.7%
109.1%
-0.2%
-3.5%
23.4%
6.5%
21.8%

8.1%
-0.6%
2.3%
-14.4%
-8.6%
3.3%
5.3%
5.2%

20.9%
70.5%
627.8%
120.5%-30.8%
282.2%
97.2%
19.1%
71.3%
57.2%
-0.8%
65.7%
168.8%
74.2%
15.6%
124.8%-21.8%
64.5%
87.3%
1692.8%
48.8%
31.0%
67.2%
66.9%
77.2%
28.4%
43.5%
59.0%
-38.8%-18.4%-23.1%
54.0%
100.8%
348.2%
271.1%
33.7%
48.4%
65.4%
27.0%
49.0%
-37.4%
54.8%-17.1%
68.3%
66.5%-29’943
13’314
1’820
18’59205’809
012’624227’877
99’991-7’833
1’731
12’202
90’795386
0-67
26’311
775
-1
744
-419
4’768
4’067
-69
-11’251
109’831
40’2694’210

197’551-3’8744’098-55’056-39’926
15’700748’149771’358

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources. For data sources, see annex

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269

Europe › Tables
Table 74: Europe: Conversion status of organic agricultural land 2021
Please note that not for all countries and for all indicators 2021 data were available.
CountyOrganic area [ha]Albania
AndorraAustria
BelarusBelgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
IrelandIsle of Man
Italy
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
San Marino
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
EuropeEuropean Union

1’094
2679’119
6’725
101’830
2’495
86’310180
121’924
7’738
558’124299’998
226’605251
327’737
2’776’554
1’802’231
534’629
293’597
6’440
86’868

Area fully converted[ha]Area under conversion
[ha]
912
2

183

2’443
85’527
2’082
70’424180
89’7705’420
522’619243’674
209’472251
290’192
2’192’182

4’282
13’547413
15’88737’643584’617451’079262’906
4’502
70’36083’55430’691
1’938
16’507

2’186’159
1’990
291’150
1’423
261’782
6’893
66
28’368
4’404
76’375
7’794
45’112509’286308’289578’718655’457

1’784’480
1’987
264’860
1’423
208’266
5’670
44
22’242
4’160
71’281
5’912
42’017400’855
257’121344’541
94’489401’6793
26’291

23’528
222’896
52’0782’635’442
606’669
181’444327’583422’299489’200
17’844’856
15’639’066

13’225181’740
45’788
1’956’836
570’207

10’30341’153
6’292
218’732
36’462219’445
370’110448’600
11’819’294
10’585’313

108’138
52’18940’6002’346’930
2’110’132

32’1542’318
35’50456’32817’13253’516
1’223
21
6’124
244
5’093
1’882
3’095
108’442
51’168234’177
7’404

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources. For data sources, see annex.

270

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Tables
Table 75: Europe: Land use in organic agriculture by country 2021
Please note that not for all countries 2021 data were available.
Country
Albania
AndorraAustria
BelarusBelgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
IrelandIsle of Man
Italy
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
Total Europe
Total EU

Arable land [ha]Permanent
grassland [ha]759
275’403
1’298
35’922
1’532
61’249392’168

50’203
2’916
91’436248’473
124’3781
266’668
1’445’221
735’727
172’441
105’562543
8’103

42’332
186
442’399
47’94993’896250

1’016’287
1’593
155’204228
142’3442’858
41
23’223307
29’1652’955
36’337375’930
57’381291’628585’148
10’20075’5896’893
502’074471’460
42’951165’058
345’375
159’000
8’127’064
6’750’556

61’64430’154879’244880’000
294’012180’961
2’356
66’488583’781132’635
1’144
82’1433’130

3’952
41’541
8’501
85’741
196’502
155’038
2’489
3’517
145’209
41’903
1’273’392
138’398
128’550
12’545
1’375
304’500
6’760’026
6’290’847

Permanent crops
[ha]
128
2
12’30166
1’507
159
24’849Total [ha]16’077
2’816
5’696
3’576
2’522
625
193’731
25’132
68’17614’9071
75495’296
11
3’311
7
4’753
130
26
4’305
564
901
772
343
47’61565’65722’221
5’600
2’095
3’280
662’425686
3’107
205’036
3’855
2’000
1’906’341
1’680’385

887
2
679’872
6’838
99’073
1’692
116’252180
108’6105’918
539’532299’998
220’796251
315’1122’548’677
1’702’240
534’629301’430
4’709
74’666
2’095’364
1’604
291’150
1’490
235’471
6’118
67
27’624
4’823
71’607
3’727
45’181509’286319’540468’887615’067
19’317
222’896
52’0782’437’891
610’544
177’347382’639462’225473’500
17’096’807
14’867’704

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources. For data sources, see annex. The total
includes other agricultural areas for which no land use details were available.

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Europe › Tables
Table 76: Europe: Organic agricultural land and wild collection areas by country 2021
Please note that not for all countries 2021 data were available.
Country
Albania
AndorraAustria
BelarusBelgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
IrelandIsle of Man
Italy
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
EuropeEuropean Union

Agricultural land [ha]Wild collection [ha]Total [ha]1’094
2679’119
6’725
101’830
2’495
86’310180
121’924
7’738
558’124299’998
226’605251
327’737
2’776’554
1’802’231
534’629
293’597
6’440
86’868475’136476’2302
679’119
6’725
101’830
198’163
86’310180
121’924
7’738
558’124299’998672’117251
7’256’430
2’776’554
1’802’231
534’629
293’597
460’822
86’8682’186’159
1’990
291’150
1’423
261’782
6’893
66
28’368
4’404
76’375
7’794
45’112509’286308’289578’718655’457
23’528
222’896
52’0782’635’442
606’669
181’444327’583422’299489’200
17’844’856
15’639’066

195’668445’5126’928’693

454’382373’488

1’351

556’600

801’704

24’334328’596
10’585’464
7’374’205

2’186’159
375’478291’150
1’423
261’782
6’893
66
29’7194’404
76’375564’394
45’112509’286308’289578’718
1’457’162
23’528
222’896
52’0782’635’442
606’669
181’444351’917750’895489’200
28’430’320
23’013’271

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources. For data sources, see annex.

272

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Tables
Table 77: Europe: Organic producers, processors, and importers by country 2021

Please note that not for all countries 2021 data were available.
Country
Albania
AndorraAustria
BelarusBelgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
KosovoLatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
MonacoMontenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
EuropeEuropean Union

Producers

Processors

130

62
3
1’691
20
1’585
51
249
378
70
930
1’162
195
1
414
19’311
19’572
1’653
489
20

23’961
19
2’590
90
5’942
6’024
1’292
4’797
4’186
2’043
1
5’007
58’41336’30729’8695’12930Importers

Exporters
26

58
304
22
12
28
359
101
47
56
662
2’016
45
61
8

4
11
153
20
2
0
163
104
24
37

40
0
3

1’914

215

156

58

75’874
56
4’171
47
2’529
123
25
151

23’802
19
65

579

1’036

5

0

1
8
54
3

0
0
40

422
1’985
887
1’778
18’59813’263
11’562
66
458
716
3’685
52’861
5’360
7’670
48’244
418
3’581

121
107
16
21
2
25
995
17
471
668
1’296
209
19
152
119
139
5’921
1’128
1’427
227
73
2’566

533
8
103
267
66
34

0
146
1
0
319
31
25

74
43
28
472
361
520
280

82
5
0
230
27
15
516

442’274

87’676

7’590

3’118

378’226

82’500

6’378

2’404

216

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on Eurostat and national data sources. For data sources, see annex.
*Total number includes data for countries with less than three operators.

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Europe › Tables
Table 78: Europe and European Union: Organic retail sales 2021*
CountryDatayear**

Austria
Belgium
Bosnia andHerzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
IrelandItaly
LatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
NorwayPolandPortugal
Romania
RussianFederation
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
EuropeEuropean Union

Retail sales[Million €]€/person[€]Organic
share [%]

1 year
growth [%]Food-service[Million €]

2021
2021
2017

2’397.0
978.2
0.4

268.3
121.5
0.1

11.6
3.8

5.8
4.6

128.0

2021
2018
2020
2021
2017
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2015
2020
2021
2021
2017
2021
2017
2021
2019
2021
2016
2019
2021
2011
2016
2018

33.0
99.3
226.0
2’240.0

4.8
24.2
21.9
383.6

1.0
2.2
1.8
13.0

2.5

92.6
407.0
12’659.0
15’870.0
66.0
30.0
235.0

69.6
73.5
187.1
190.8
6.2
3.0
47.3

5.0
2.5
6.6
7.0
0.3
0.3
2.7

3’943.0
51.0
8.8
50.5
197.1

66.6
6.3
229.8
17.8
313.0

3.4
1.5

1’374.0

78.6

441.8
314.1
21.0
40.7
183.0

82.9
8.3
2.0
2.1
1.3

0.6
0.2
0.2

48.6

26.6

1.8

2’528.0
2’764.0
3’704.6
46.2
27.9

53.4
266.3
424.6
0.6
0.6

2.5
8.9
10.9

3’461.3
54’539.0
46’665.0

51.6
65.7
104.3

2009
2013
2019
2020
2021
2021
2014
2021
2020
2021

1.0
11.0
3.3
1.7

0.0
21.0
-0.5
-0.3
5.8

2.7
-0.8

15.3

7.6
284.0
9.9

609.0

1’074.0

5.0
6.0
330.3

0.9
29.9

0.1
54.4
-5.4
3.9

607.0

5.2
+3.8%
+3.6%

91.0

1.8

4.7%

Source: FiBL-AMI survey 2023 based on national data sources. For details on data sources, see annex.
*Note on the table:› Where no published data exists, best estimates from experts were used.
› New data were not available for all countries. Therefore, in some cases, earlier data are shown.
› Values published in national currencies were converted to euros using the 2021 average annual exchange
rates according to the Central European Bank. Please note that due to fluctuating exchange rates, it is notpossible to make a year-to-year comparison for countries that do not have the Euro as their currency.
** «Data year» refers to the year from which the data are. As stated above, not all countries provided up-todate data.

274

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and BonnEurope › Tables
Table 79: Europe: International Trade 2021
Country

Albania
Austria
BelarusBelgium
Bosnia andHerzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Ireland
Italy
KosovoLatviaLithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
PolandPortugal
Romania
Russian Federation
SerbiaSlovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenSwitzerland
TürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom
EuropeEuropean Union

EU imports [MT]*35’345.1

Exports to EU andUSA combined[MT]**

Exports [Million€]***

Imports [Million€]***

1’969.9415.3
2’459.1

276’832.7

18’870.1
964.3
225.7
30’066.9
61’737.5
292.4
16’036.7
271’608.3
517’182.7
13’061.1
1’168.7
83’517.1
224’956.4
414.6
34’800.4
44.4
51.4

945’125.0
37’382.3
6’810.3
9’939.1407.4
9’356.8
93’337.6
183’413.0

2’872’947.7
2’872’947.7

2’788.1

6.3

15.5
27.2

2.9

34.8

133.8
439.3
27.0
27.5
887.0

115.7
678.8

2’830.0

20.0

18.0

0.1
5’182.0
1’873.6244.7
1’846.1
15.8
27’450.0560.6
2.5

19’376.4
16.5
668.6
662.1
1.6
3’227.6
9.0
61’865.0
19’467.8

10’081.9
44.7
32.3
170’755.4
239’567.9
108’307.0
679’010.3
51’182.3

2’900.0
6.0
51.0
45.0

1’200.0

200.0

35.0

18.9

3.7

0.1
1’165.0
117.0

23.0
1’014.0

187.7
193.9
7’628.3
7’215.5

4.0
4’756.9
4’749.2

Source: European Commission/TRACES, USDA/GATS, FiBL survey based on national data sources› *Imports in metric tons (MT) to the European Union based on Traces/European Commission data
› ** Exports to the European Union (from European non-EU countries only, based on TRACES/European
Commission) and to the US (based on GATS/USDA; all European countries). Please note that the US import data
do not cover all products.
› *** Export and import values (to and from ALL countries) are based on national data sources.

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275

Europe › Tables
Table 80: European Union: EU organic imports by EU Member State 2021 (EU 27)
CountryCountry
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
CyprusCzech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
European Union undefinedFinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
IrelandItaly
LatviaLithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
PolandPortugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
SwedenTotal

2018 [MT]2019 [MT]2020 [MT]2021 [MT]201835’920.9
177’959.5
12’280.6
3’559.3
211.2
29’492.6
127’413.1
474.8
197’612.1
14’987.7
213’625.3
427’615.9
6’368.0
2’061.7
19’476.4
185’803.0
52.4
2’797.5487.8
1.0
953’037.8
19’330.4
7’238.98’816.7455.0
17’460.9
78’818.2
167’269.1

2019
28’379.1
371’911.6
14’847.1
1’059.0
251.6
19’956.0
120’704.8
326.1

2020
30’766.2
303’002.3
15’330.7
540.4
139.9
25’020.6
82’116.4
313.0

2021
35’345.1
276’832.7
18’870.1
964.3
225.7
30’066.9
61’737.5
292.4

18’921.3
240’582.4
432’897.1
8’269.8991.8
4’099.4
180’388.1
3’359.4
8’346.2
47.2
8.8
1’037’553.5
29’285.3
4’305.1
9’025.7
617.0
22’418.9
100’140.1
190’023.2

18’421.1
274’620.0
491’718.5
10’180.1
991.5
61’778.5
236’106.3
520.0
33’144.3
65.1
60.0
857’360.6
36’077.2
7’070.4
10’888.7
251.6
6’458.3
112’183.6
178’977.7

16’036.7
271’608.3
517’182.7
13’061.1
1’168.7
83’517.1
224’956.4
414.6
34’800.4
44.4
51.4
945’125.0
37’382.3
6’810.3
9’939.1407.4
9’356.8
93’337.6
183’413.0

2’710’628.0

2’848’715.5

2’794’103.1

2’872’947.7

Source: TRACES/European Commission

276

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Latin America and the
Caribbean

Map 5: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn277

Latin America and the Caribbean

Organic Agriculture in Latin America
GABRIELA SOTO1 AND ROBERTO UGÁS2
Production and markets
Organic production in Latin America grew slowly despite the challenges faced in the2022; recovering from the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic,
food inflation and getting back on track with economic growth and poverty reduction

Country highlights
Peru, one of the top organic exporters with Brazil and Mexico, crossed the line of half amillion certified organic hectares and over 110’000 organic farmers. For some crops,
both local and foreign demand grew as many consumers became more concerned about
the quality of their food and the need to avoid chemical contaminants. In the last 20
years, Peru has become a key producer and exporter of fruits and vegetables, mainly in
irrigated fields in the coastal desert, where medium and large firms control farming
operations. The increasing interest in organic products can be seen in specialised
websites and technical journals that inform about more private companies starting togrow organically or existing organic operations that increase their production of crops
such as table grapes, avocados, blueberries and mango. This is a new development, asorganic agriculture for export used to be dominated by smallholders growing coffee,cocoa, quinoa, banana or ginger.
Argentina showed a significant increase in the exports of grape juice and raisins in 2022
but a considerable decrease in the livestock production area in the province of Santa
Cruz due mainly to the drought.
In Chile, the sales of organic wines increased by more than 20 percent in 2021 for thefounding wineries of the Chilean Organic Winegrowers (COW), a group created in 2022with a focus on developing research into organic viticulture and wine production andpromoting Chilean organic wines, raising awareness for greater sustainability in thevineyard and winery.

Commodity highlights
The worldwide boom in the production and consumption of blueberries has seen Peru,
Chile and Mexico positioned among the top five exporters. In Chile, organic blueberries
constitute 17 percent of the total acreage for this crop, and blueberries are the country’s
top organic export product.
Exports of organic asparagus from Peru may increase as plant protection authorities
from Peru and the US discuss a possible lifting of the obligation for all asparagus to be
fumigated at any US point of entry.

1
2

Gabriela Soto, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
Roberto Ugas, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru

278

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Latin America and the Caribbean
Something to watch are small new developments in producing and exporting organic
pineapple in Costa Rica, the world’s leading pineapple exporter.

Input substitution versus system redesign?
Increased exports of organic fruits and vegetables, very often in the hands of medium
and large-size operations, is excellent news. A common criticism of the organic or
agroecological movements is, however, that organic operations often seem to be based
solely on an input substitution approach without moving into system redesign andgreater sustainability.
Environmental conservation should be looked at more carefully by certification
agencies. For example, in intensive organic production of crops, such as such as ginger
in the Andean Amazon of central Peru or coffee and cacao throughout tropical Latin
America, more attention needs to be paid to the landscape quality. In this regard,
previous experiences where intensified organic crop production led to environmental
degradation or weakening of farmers’ organisations (quinoa in Bolivia and Peru, forinstance) should be studied, and lessons learned.

Local markets
Local markets for certified organic products are still very small, despite the steadyincrease of the urban population and middle classes throughout the continent; poverty,
however, increased during the pandemic. According to the Organic Trade Association,
the market for organic packaged food in Brazil reached 81 million US dollars in 2021,
representing 0.1 percent of the global market value with an annual per capita
consumption of 0.38 US dollars.1
No figures are available for other countries, but some market trends can be pointed out.
Consumer interest in safer and better food has increased. Consumers are interested inboosting the immune system and avoiding disease; this has been an important incentive
for more organic products (certified, but mainly non-certified) to reach major cities.
These developments are very often linked to the agroecological movement and, in somecountries, to participatory guarantee systems.
The pandemic has prompted an increase in the number and frequency of farmers’markets in open spaces. Many types of ferias (the word in Spanish and Portuguese forthese markets) sprouted up throughout the continent. An important and sometimes
daunting challenge is negotiating public spaces with changing authorities, who areoften against ferias in plazas or parks.
Currently several Latin American countries have national logos to identify organic
products in their national marketplaces but very often operators just use the EU or US
logo in their labels; Brazil and Mexico are the countries where it is easier to find thenational logo in the retail sector.

For more information see website of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) at
https://globalorganictrade.com/country/brazil.
1

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Latin America and the Caribbean
Movements
The interest in agroecology continues to grow in the region. The 9th Latin American
Congress in Agroecology, organised by the Latin American Scientific Society ofAgroecology (SOCLA in Spanish), was celebrated in Costa Rica in 2022 with over 500
participants from Latin America and Spain.
Several countries in the region have created policies to promote agroecology, such as
Uruguay, where the respective regulation was approved in 2021, or Colombia, where a
proposal was presented to Congress in 2022. Mexico City established an Agroecological
Certification Standard in 2019 for the national market. In Colombia, the technicaleducation as an agroecologist was formally approved, the first such recognition in theregion.
In collaboration with IFOAM - Organics International. A participatory guarantee
system designed explicitly for mountain agriculture (Mountain PGS) was launched inseven countries of Asia and Latin America by the Mountain Partnership.
The organic and agroecological movements in the region may have similar or different
visions, but they very often work together closely, mainly promoting local markets fororganic products. Still, they may differ in approaches to research, advocacy and thecentral role of smallholders. In recent years many organisations are showing a broader
perspective of rural development, moving from individual farms or specific farmers’organisations to an analysis of landscapes and territories, with more opportunities forsynergies and political action in favour of agroecology and organic agriculture.

Organic regulations and programs
The application of the new European Union organic legislation in 2022 kept certification
bodies and competent authorities extra busy, and the impact on producers in Latin
America that must comply with this set of rules should be assessed in the near future.
Costa Rica, Colombia and Peru are among the countries that are currently reviewing
their organic standards.
Argentina approved an Organic Argentina 2030 Strategic Plan, and in Colombia, a
study on the impacts of the organic regulation was commissioned, connected to their2030 Agroecology Plan. Peru also approved its 2030 Plan for the Promotion of Organicor Ecological Production. However, as in other countries, it is unclear if governments
will fulfil their commitments to fund these plans fully.
Peru finalised and approved a national logo for organic products and their regulation
on participatory guarantee systems (the first authorisations were issued, but the
movement continues to criticise the regulation as it considers it too similar to a thirdparty certification).
Mexico has been negotiating a new organic agreement with Canada. The InterAmerican Commission for Organic Agriculture (CIAO), a technical entity of the
Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas, supports competent authorities throughout
the continent and provides technical assistance.

280

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Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics

Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Facts andFigures
JAN TRÁVNÍČEK1, BERNHARD SCHLATTER2 AND HELGA WILLER3
Nearly 9.9 million hectares of farmland in Latin America and the Caribbean wereorganic in 2021 – Argentina had the largest area
In Latin America and the Caribbean, nearly 9.9 million hectares were managed
organically in 2021. Almost 13 percent of the world’s organic farmland was in Latin
America and the Caribbean.
With almost 4’075’000 hectares, Argentina had the largest farmland area under organic
management, followed by Uruguay (almost 2’742’000 hectares), Brazil (over 1’482’000
hectares) and Peru (almost 375’000 hectares). Almost 88 percent of Latin America andthe Caribbean’s organic farmland was in these four countries.

Uruguay is the country with the highest organic area share in Latin America andthe Caribbean
Organic farmland in Latin America and the Caribbean constituted 1.4 percent of thetotal agricultural land of the continent and was thus below the global organic area shareof 1.6 percent in 2021.
The country with the highest organic area share was Uruguay, with a share of 19.6
percent, followed by French Guyana (11.9 percent) and Dominica (11.6 percent).

In Latin America and the Caribbean, organic farmland decreased by more than
67’000 hectares
Organic land decreased by more than 67’000 hectares (-0.7 percent) in Latin America
and the Caribbean, mainly due to a major decrease of organic farmland in Argentina in
2021. In the decade 2012 to 2021, organic farmland grew by 30 percent and thus at amuch slower rate than global organic farmland.

Key crops grown are coffee, cocoa and cereals
Only 5.3 percent of organic farmland in Latin America and the Caribbean is used forarable crops (527’258 hectares). Among the key crops were cereals (161’447 hectares,
mainly in Bolivia and Peru), sugarcane (93’953 hectares, mainly in Paraguay, Argentina
and Brazil) and oilseeds (73’619 hectares, mainly in Bolivia and Mexico).
Permanent crops accounted for approximately 9.5 percent of total organic land in Latin
America and the Caribbean in 2021. Among the key crops were coffee (466’922
hectares), mainly in Peru, Mexico and Colombia; cocoa (179’689 hectares), mainly in

Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
2

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Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Peru and the Dominican Republic; and tropical and subtropical fruit (120’773 hectares),mainly in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru and Mexico.
Almost 70 percent of Latin America and Caribbean organic farmland is permanent
grassland (6’894’732), and it is located mainly in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. These
three countries represent 97.4 percent of the total organic grassland/grazing areas in
Latin America and the Caribbean.

Organic producers, processors and importers: Increase of producers by more than
18’000 in 2021
There were more than 280’436 organic producers in Latin America and the Caribbean,
with the highest number in Peru (117’398). Eight percent of the world’s organic
producers were in Latin America and the Caribbean. Compared to 2020, there were
18’321 more (7 percent up) organic producers, a total of 1’161 exporters and 9’415
processors.

Retail sales: Data almost non-existent in Latin America and in the Caribbean
Organic retail sales data for Latin America and the Caribbean are almost non-existent.
However, this does not mean that there is no domestic market for organic products in
Latin America. Many countries have developed local markets.

Almost 60 percent of the EU and US imports are from Latin America and the
Caribbean
Data on organic export volumes in metric tons to the European Union, which is a major
market for Latin America and the Caribbean, has been available since 2018. Export data
to the US has been available for even longer (since 2014); however, US organic imports
data do not cover all products.
Data show that in 2021, over 2.7 million metric tons of products were exported from
Latin America and the Caribbean to the EU and US, constituting 56.8 percent of allorganic exports to these countries/trade blocks. In the 4-year period between 2018 and
2021, Latin America in Caribbean exports increased by almost 21.4 percent,considerably faster than global organic exports to the EU and US, which grew by only
5 percent in the same period.

Ecuador is the largest exporter
The largest Latin American and Caribbean exporter was Ecuador (more than 583’589
metric tons of products, 94 percent being bananas), followed by Mexico (over 425’000
metric tons, mainly bananas and avocados) and Peru (344’483 metric tons, mainly
bananas).

Bananas are the most important export productWith more than 1’231’689 metric tons and almost 46 percent of the Latin American and
Caribbean organic exports, bananas are the most important product group, followedby sugar (360’077 metric tons) and coffee (187’355 metric tons).
For more information about the Latin American and the Caribbean figures, see figuresand data tables for the region, following pages.
282

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Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean: Graphs

Figure 95: Latin America and the Caribbean: The ten countries with the largest
organic agricultural area 2021
Source: CIAO-FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed
data sources, see annex, page

Figure 96: Latin America and the Caribbean: Highest organic area shares 2021
Source: CIAO-FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed
data sources, see annex, page 338.
FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn283

Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics

Figure 97: Latin America and the Caribbean: Development of organic agricultural land
2000-2021
Source: CIAO-FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL-surveys 2001-2023

Figure 98: Latin America and the Caribbean: Use of organic agricultural land 2021
Source: CIAO-FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed
data sources, see annex, page 338.

284

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Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics

Figure 99: Latin America and the Caribbean: Key commodity groups exported to the
EU and US (export volume in MT)
Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Figure 100: Latin America and the Caribbean: Key countries exporting to the EU andUS (export volume in MT)
Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn285

Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean: Tables
Table 81: Latin America and the Caribbean: Organic agricultural land, organic share of
total agricultural land and number of organic producers 2021
Area [ha]Share of total
agri. land [%]Argentina
Bahamas
BelizeBolivia (Plurinational State of)BrazilBritish Virgin Islands
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
EcuadorEl Salvador
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
French Guiana (France)
GrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaHaiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique (France)
MexicoNicaragua
PanamaParaguay
Peru
Saint Lucia
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

4'074'804
49
676
179'425
1'482'406
26
152'773
100'874
10'300
2'129
2'907
117'31252'1852'565
31'937
3'886
195
1'300
71'654
2'739
66'17911706
238'075
37'357
5'929
113'147
374'926
25
52
2'741'845
2'496

2.7%
0.3%
0.4%
0.5%
0.6%
0.4%
1.0%
0.2%
0.6%
0.0%
11.6%
4.8%
1.0%
0.2%
2.8%
11.9%
2.4%
2.5%
1.9%
0.1%
2.0%
0.0%
2.3%
0.2%
0.7%
0.3%
0.5%
1.6%
0.2%
0.1%
19.6%
0.0%

3'288
171
47
8
257
15'563
8'398
374
3
69
5
186
141
4'631
15'046
2
77
52'274
10'912
18
5'591
117'398
1
1
1'417
8

Total

9'870'887

1.4%

280'436

Country

Producers [no.]
1'336
385
14'16128'667

Source: CIAO and FiBL survey, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed
data sources, see annex, page 338.
*Total number includes data for countries with less than three operators.

286

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Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Table 82: Latin America and the Caribbean: Land use in organic agriculture 2021
Land use

Crop group

Agricultural land and crops, no details
Arable land crops

Area [ha]Cereals

1'466'685
161'447

Dry pulses

17'918Flowers and ornamental plants
Fresh vegetables and melons
Industrial crops
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Mushrooms and truffles
Oilseeds
Plants harvested green
Root crops
Strawberries
Sugarcane
Textile crops
TobaccoArable crops, no details
Fallow land
Arable land crops total
Other agricultural land
Permanent crops

2'784
29'600
15'466
8'644
281
73'619
9'105
1'411
3'036
93'95316'840307
91'364
1'484
527'258
46'7659'564
33'697
179'689
7'061
466'92297
9'711
120'77310
20'307

Berries
Citrus fruit
Cocoa
Coconut
CoffeeFruit
Fruit of temperate climate zones
Fruit, tropical and subtropicalFruit/nuts/berries
GrapesMedicinal and aromatic plants,
permanent
Nurseries
Nuts
Olives
Tea/mate, etc.
Permanent crops, other30'338Permanent crops total
Permanent grassland

0
5'434
9'609
3'324
38'399934'934
6'895'152

Total

9'870'888

Source: CIAO and FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments For
detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 83: Latin America and the Caribbean: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 bycountryCountry
Argentina
Bahamas
BelizeBolivia (Plurinational State of)BrazilBritish Virgin Islands
Chile

Agriculturalland andcrops, nodetails [ha]Arable land
crops
[ha]

Permanent
crops
[ha]

Permanent
grassland[ha]360'460

64'2183'619'796

123'073
29'20530'331
49
676
9'593
13'337

1'898

16'403134'472

1'080'010
26

359'854

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Other
agriculturalland [ha]46'7590287

Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Country
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
EcuadorEl Salvador
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
French Guiana (France)
GrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaHaiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique (France)
MexicoNicaragua
PanamaParaguay
Peru
Saint Lucia
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Total

Agriculturalland andcrops, nodetails [ha]Arable land
crops
[ha]

Permanent
crops
[ha]

Permanent
grassland[ha]

14'0993'527
2'129

86'355
6'696

420

71

108
18'174

14
31
133

676
71
689
394

20'091168

7339
71'447
5'458

Other
agriculturalland [ha]5

2'907
117'204
34'011
2'564
31'937
2'713

484
123
443
71'126
2'738
45'92011318
159'215
31'899

1
136

0
43
7'413

5'929
111'544
75'076

1'603
299'850
25
52

6

3'476
1'490

1'000

2'738'369

1'466'871

527'258

934'934

6'895'152

46'765

Source: CIAO and FiBL survey, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed
data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 84: Latin America and the Caribbean: All organic areas 2021
Country

Agriculture[ha]

Argentina
Bahamas
BelizeBolivia (Plurinational State of)BrazilBritish Virgin Islands
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
EcuadorEl Salvador
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
French Guiana (France)
GrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
Guatemala
GuyanaHaiti

288

4'074'804
49
676
179'425
1'482'406
26
152'773
100'874
10'300
2'129
2'907
117'31252'1852'564
31'937
3'886
195
1'300
71'654

Forest[ha]

Wildcollection [ha]Other nonagri. land[ha]

20'55915672'328
13'761
105'127
33'75040'007

406
108

3'081
942

70
0
7
169'089
55'4492'738

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Total
[ha]
4'095'363
49
676
851'753
1'496'183
26
257'899
134'624
10'300
2'129
2'907
120'393
93'134
2'564
31'937
4'362
195
1'416
240'743
55'4492'738

Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Country

Agriculture[ha]

Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique (France)
MexicoNicaragua
PanamaParaguay
Peru
Saint Lucia
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

66'17911706
238'075
37'357
5'929
113'147
374'926
25
52
2'741'845
2'496

Total

9'870'888

Forest[ha]

Wildcollection [ha]Other nonagri. land
[ha]

7
87
1'079'967
3'494

7'463

988'604
219'38433

40'6232'377'015

996'100

Total[ha]
66'17918793
1'325'504
40'851
5'929
1'101'751
594'3105852
2'741'845
2'496
13'284'626

Source: CIAO and FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For
detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 85: Latin America and the Caribbean: Use of wild collection areas 2021
Land use/products

Area [ha]Apiculture
Forest products
Fruit, wild collection
Medicinal and aromatic plants, wild collection
Nuts, wild collection
Palmito, wild collection
Wild collection, no details

13'171
2'007
2'900
41'940905'544
56'6991'354'754

Total

2'377'015

Source: CIAO and FiBL survey, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed
data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 86: Latin America and the Caribbean: Organic exports to the EU and US bycountryCountry/Territory
Argentina
BelizeBolivia (Plurinational
State of)BrazilChile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
EcuadorEl Salvador
GrenadaExports to EU and US[MT]
287'26935
21'125174'820
71'264267'407
34'0422'444
268'937
583'589317
4Country/Territory

Exports to EU and US[MT]

Guatemala
GuyanaHaiti
Honduras
Jamaica
MexicoNicaragua
PanamaParaguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Grand Total

13'202433
2'174
68'972
6
425'414
12'584
1'270
78'790344'48388
3'612
2'662'284

Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 87: Latin America and the Caribbean: Organic exports to the EU and US byproduct group
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Latin America and Caribbean › Statistics
Product group

Exports to EU
and US [MT]Fruit, tropical andsubtropical
Sugar
CoffeeCereals
Oilseeds
Fresh vegetables andmelonsFruit, berries and nuts,
prepared and preserved
Berries
Fruit of temperate climate
zones
Bee products
Cocoa
Medicinal and aromaticplantsCitrus fruit
Processed and preparedfruits and vegetables
Vegetable and animal oils
and fats
Beverages
Grain mill products
Strawberries
Vegetables, prepared andpreserved
Aquaculture products
Cocoa, chocolate and sugar
confectionery
Non-food products
Hot beverages (Coffee, tea
and cacao etc.)
Nuts
OlivesFruit
Dry pulses

Product group

Exports to EU
and US [MT]Non edible animal
products
GrapesMedicinal and aromaticplants, permanent
InputsMeat and meat products
Other food products andproduct groups
Food additives
Root crops
Feedstuffs
Spices and aromatics
Noodles, couscous, etc.
Wild collection, other
Cocoa, chocolate and sugar
confectionery, no details
Seeds and seedlings
Wild collection, marine
Yeast and other single cell
micro-organisms
Manufactured products,
otherFood and non-foodproducts
Textile crops
Tea/mate, etc.
Prepared food, no details
Protein concentrates
SeaweedBread and bakery products
Other products
Mushrooms, prepared andpreserved
Permanent crops, other
Fruit/nuts/berries

1'384'705
360'077
187'123
131'975
98'96869'55858'71356'81952'27446'737
43'53934'37629'59229'03319'303
15'974
12'395
7'096
4'792
4'628
2'297
1'621
1'595
1'423
1'377
920
770

Grand Total

724
624
483
480
447
339
322
266
224
200
103
91
49
46
39
39
38
21
20
19
11
6
6
4
2
1.0
0.5
0.3
2'662'284

Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 88: Brazil: Development of the number of producers and the organic area according to the
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food in Brazil *Producers
Area (million hectares)

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

5’934
1.554*

6’719
0.603

10’1940.749

11’4780.940

14’222
1.094

17’4510.654

17’4730.719

19’9780.822

22’9660.945

26.622
1.1

Source: Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. All data include PGS-certified producers and areas.
* Includes wild collection area

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Map 6: Organic agricultural land in Canada and the United States 2021
Source: Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). For detailed
data sources, see annex, page 338.

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North America › United States

Organic in the United States: Ensuring Organic’s
Growth and Integrity
Angela Jagiello1
Building the next generation of American organic producers
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in June 2022 took real steps tobuild the next generation of American organic producers and strengthen organic
supply chains with its announcement that it would invest 300 million US dollars2 over
five years to support farm operations during the transition to organic in its new Organic
Transition Initiative. The announcement represents the largest single investment inorganic by USDA.
The initiative will deliver wrap-around technical assistance, including farmer-to-farmer
mentoring; provide direct support through conservation financial assistance andadditional crop insurance assistance; and support market development projects intargeted markets to a press release from USDA.
The Organic Transition Initiative program will include the following:
1

2

3

One hundred million US dollars dedicated to the Transition to Organic
Partnership Program (TOPP). USDA will establish cooperative agreements withlead non-profits in six regions to develop partnership networks that connecttransitioning farmers with mentors for at least one year after certification; build
paid mentoring networks to share practical insights and advice; provide
community-building opportunities; help transitioning and recently transitioned
producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and
immediately following certification and engage educational and training
institutions on organic workforce training and education and future humancapital planning.
Seventy million US dollars dedicated to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS). The USDA’s NRCS will offer financial assistance andconservation planning to farmers choosing to implement a new Organic
Management conservation practice standard.
One hundred 100 million US dollars dedicated to pinpointed market
development. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will work withpartners to identify innovative ways to build organic supply chains in targetedmarkets to ensure transitioning organic producers have access to processing,storage, distribution, and consumer markets.

1 Angela Jagiello, Director of Education and Insights at the Organic Trade Association, Washington D.C.;
United States, www.ota.com
2 1.1827 US dollars corresponded to 1 euro in 2021, according to the Central European Bank.

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4

Thirty million US dollars dedicated to establishing organic expertise at NRCS
regional technical support centers and providing crop insurance support for
qualifying transitional organic operations.

The Organic Trade Association looks forward to the lasting impacts the initiative will
have on organic, including the expansion of climate-smart agriculture practices, more
economically sound rural communities, more help for beginning and sociallydisadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and increased access to organic foods for
consumers.

2023 Farm Bill policy priorities for organic
The Farm Bill sets U.S. agriculture policy and is reauthorized by Congress through theHouse and Senate Agriculture Committees roughly every five years. This massive pieceof legislation includes provisions covering nutrition, commodities, conservation, trade,rural development, research, forestry, energy, horticulture and organic agriculture,
livestock, crop insurance, and more. In addition to updating programs and policies,
Congress also determines the funding levels for various programs at USDA. As theprocess of creating a new national Farm Bill begins, Organic Trade Association has
identified several priorities for the U.S. organic industry.

Continuous improvement and accountability in organic standards
A recent study commissioned by the trade association found that 89 percent ofconsumers say the USDA should review and update the federal organic standards
regularly, and 87 percent of consumers expect organic standards to be updated to reflect
evolving understandings about soil, climate, toxicology, animal welfare, etc. It’s been
20 years since the organic regulations went into effect, but despite growing consumer
demand and industry consensus on nearly two dozen updates, the standards haveremained static, with only two updates implemented in the last two decades.

Market development− Provide funding, support and incentives for organic transition based on market
needs.
− Provide funding for market and processing infrastructure to address supply chain
constraints and increase domestic production of organic crops.

Climate and conservation− Establish and provide funding for a technical assistance program for organic andtransitioning farmers.
− Provide more conservation assistance for organic farmers to improve
environmental outcomes such as fostering soil health, increasing biodiversity andnatural resource conservation.

Core Farm Bill Program improvements− Increase funding for the Organic Research and Education Initiative andCertification Cost-Share Program.

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North America › United States− Include programmatic changes to streamline and improve access for organic
farmers for cost-share, crop insurance, conservation, risk management and otherfarm bill programs.

International trade− Increase funding for the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development
Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops.

Organic market expanded despite unprecedented supply chain challenges
Following a year marked by pantry loading and supply shortages, U.S. shoppers
returned to more stable shopping patterns in 2021. Between 2020 and 2021, U.S. organic
sales surpassed 63 billion US dollars, with 1.4 billion US dollars (2 percent) total growthover the year. Food sales, which comprise over 90 percent of U.S. organic sales, rose to
57.5 billion US dollars (roughly 2 percent growth), and non-food sales reached 6 billion
US dollars (in sales 7 percent growth), according to the Organic Trade Association’s
2022 Organic Industry Survey.
While consumer demand for organic products remained strong, growth continued but
was constrained primarily due to the supply challenges, which ran the gamut from seed
and raw materials shortages to those in labor and packaging materials to skyrocketingcosts in feed, inputs, shipping and transportation. While this list is not unique to the
U.S. organic industry, its impact had a lasting effect.
Logistics not only created a challenging environment in which to do business, they also
drove inflationary impacts, leading to increases in pricing across the supply chain all
the way to the shelf, where there was a steady stream of “out of stocks” throughout theyear.
The good news, however, is that U.S. families value organic more than ever. As a resultof the pandemic, there is a renewed interest in personal health and well-being amongst
shoppers, which led many to see organic products as a solution.

Consumer education is criticalIn the U.S., many companies note that other eco-labels and certifications outside of the
USDA Organic seal have grown in popularity because consumers don’t fully
understand all that organic means. For organic to stay relevant across the industry,
there is a call for continued education. Although organic has had a presence in the retailmarket and the grocery aisles for some time now, many consumers still do notappreciate its importance. With inflation and rising prices, the value of organic needs
to be articulated even more. Many see the evolution of organic standards as essential tobuilding consumer awareness and education.
Tom Chapman, Organic Trade Association CEO, notes: “As we move through periodsof economic uncertainty, people will naturally become more selective about how they
spend their dollars. But they still need to feed and clothe their families, and they would
prefer to do so in a way that aligns with their values. As the custodians of thisproduction system so rich with benefits for people and the planet, it’s on us to find and

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voice our message for the moment – that organic has always been sustainable,
regenerative, and so much more.”
To help the U.S. business community communicate the human, planetary and economic
benefits associated with organic, the Organic Trade Association has developed a datadriven communications toolkit. The package – available at ota.com/organic opportunity– includes a full complement of resources to help businesses communicate the organic
benefits and combat misinformation about competing (but unregulated and unverified)labels.

Gains at the federal government level
With the energy of a new federal administration, in 2021, organic stakeholders
advocated for the bipartisan Continuous Improvement and Accountability in OrganicStandards Act to ensure that the organic sector’s advancement continues. The federal
regulatory apparatus had fallen behind the evolving organic sector, slowing innovationand improvement within the industry. This legislation corrects the course forward.
Traction was gained in early 2022 when the USDA published a preview of the longawaited Origin of Livestock final rule for organic dairy. The change to the regulation,
which organic stakeholders have long advocated for, will promote a fairer and morecompetitive market for all organic dairy producers by making sure certified organic
dairy products are made to the same consistent standard.

On the horizon: Strengthening organic enforcement
The USDA’s National Organic Program published the mammoth Strengthening
Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule in 2020 to support the continued growth of theorganic market and improve oversight at critical links in the supply chain. The final
rule is expected to be published in early 2023. The new requirements will close gaps inthe current regulations to build consistent certification practices to deter and detectorganic fraud, improve transparency and traceability of organic products throughout
the supply chain, and protect organic integrity. The unprecedented regulation will havesignificant and far-reaching impacts on the organic sector and represents the mostsignificant change to federal organic regulations since the creation of USDA’s National
Organic Program more than 20 years ago.

Industry to USDA: Let organic chickens roam
The USDA also took a serious step toward updating key organic animal welfare
provisions first introduced over twenty years ago with the publication in August of its
proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) rule. Tens of thousands of
U.S. organic stakeholders and consumers submitted comments urging the USDA toswiftly implement the OLPS rule, saying that strengthening organic animal welfare
standards is long overdue and critical for the sustainability of family farms, theadvancement of organic, and the continued trust of consumers in the organic label.
USDA’s public comment period for the proposed OLPS regulation ended on Nov. 10.
The proposed rule drew overwhelming public support – initial analysis showed thatout of 39’090 posted comments, a vast majority of 89 percent were in favor of this
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North America › United States
regulation being finalized and implemented – ensuring that organic animals have true
outdoor access and closing regulatory loopholes that have led to uneven animal welfare
standards and unfair conditions for organic farmers who are already raising their birds
by the highest organic practices.
USDA will now review all the submitted comments, after which it will finalize andpublish the final rule, expected in April 2023 at the earliest but likely later in the year.

Organic is climate-smart
As part of USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities initiative, the agency
chose about a dozen organic organizations to participate in transformative projects
designed to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.
The department awarded 2.8 billion US dollars worth of cost-share grants for 70
climate-smart projects that the agency estimates have the potential to sequester morethan 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The organic industry is excited to be part of this critical initiative. Organic agriculture
has always been a leader in implementing environmentally friendly practices andaddressing the critical issue of climate change.

International trade updates
Global demand for American-produced organic products has never been greater.
Department of Agriculture statistics show the value of U.S. organic exports nearly
doubled between 2011 and 2021 – increasing from around 400 million US dollars to justover 700 million US dollars – including an almost 10 percent increase from 2020 to 2021.
Canada and Mexico are the United States’ largest export partners, with Japan, South
Korea, Taiwan, the EU, and the United Arab Emirates all making the top 10 list for U.S.
organic exports.
U.S. organic exporters received a record level of funding of more than 1 million US
dollars from the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) to promote U.S. organic
products around the world in 2023. The award, totaling 1’011’911 US dollars in new
funding to the Organic Trade Association, is an almost 10 percent increase from the2022 levels and the most significant MAP award ever received by organic exporters.
American-produced organic products will be showcased to a diverse global audiencein the coming year. There are currently ten international activities planned for 2023 -from the world’s biggest organic trade fair in Germany Biofach to trade missions
stretching across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
In addition to the headline events in 2023, the grants will continue consumer promotion
activities focused on Canada, Japan, Korea, the Pacific Rim, and worldwide organic
education and promotion.

U.S. ends organic recognition agreement with India
In other international news, 2022 saw challenging and evolving trade relationships with
India. In January 2021, the USDA National Organic Program revoked its organic
recognition agreement with India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
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Development Authority (APEDA), citing a need for greater oversight of products
coming from India. All operations in India seeking to export to the US needed to be
directly certified by a USDA-accredited certifier by July 2022. This move wascompounded in March 2022 by a U.S. antidumping investigation which found that the
Indian government was subsidizing organic farmers, allowing organic soybean mean
producers to sell into the U.S. market at less than a fair market value. Meanwhile, in
Mexico, the deadline for companies to fall in line with the Mexico Compliance Programfor organic went into effect in early January 2022.

U.S. organic industry works to ensure integrity throughout the supply chain
The success of the organic sector relies entirely on consumer trust in the organic label.
Supply chains compromised due to fraud erode consumer trust in the integrity of theorganic brand and hurt organic farmers everywhere. It is critical that every organic
business has a system in place that will prevent fraud and support the promise ofproviding organic products that people can trust.
In the U.S., the private sector is working with USDA to protect the organic sector from
criminal activity. Every stakeholder in the industry is responsible for maintaining
organic integrity throughout their business practices. Further, Organic Trade
Association has invested significant time and resources in developing a program thatwill help certified operations become compliant with the forthcoming Strengthening
Organic Standards rule.
A key component of the program is an online training course and supplemental
program guide, which provides the framework for assessing vulnerabilities andimplementing an organic fraud prevention plan. The course, “Developing an Organic
Fraud Prevention Plan,” was created in partnership with the Michigan State University
Food Fraud Initiative and is offered through the Food Fraud Prevention Academy
along with many other educational resources.
The USDA’s Organic Integrity Learning Center offers additional courses such as“Preventing the Organic Fraud Opportunity” and “Organic Fraud and the Criminal
Mind.”
Strong action is needed, and everyone has a role in fighting fraud and maintaining
organic integrity.

Organic is for everyone
The Organic Trade Association’s racial equity and inclusiveness initiatives came into
focus within the last two years with the formation of the Diversity Council and theestablishment of a Diversity & Entrepreneurship Program and Fund, which aims toincrease BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and Latino representation inboth the OTA and the organic industry.
In 2022, OTA reported several milestones as part of its commitment to creating a morejust, equitable, diverse and inclusive organic business community in the U.S, including:

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North America › United States
1

2

3

Welcoming 53 unique companies to participate in its Diversity and
Entrepreneurship program, offering (among other benefits) complimentary
memberships to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned farms andbusinesses.
Launching an online Diversity Resource Library – a collection of resources to help
the organic community diversify its business operations. The library wasproduced by OTA’s inaugural class of Diversity Fellows.
Formalizing partnerships with organizations whose missions align with OTA’s
vision of encouraging a more diverse industry, including the Black Farmers’
Index and National Latino Farmers and Ranchers.

The U.S. organic business community will continue to stand together to shape a more
inclusive agricultural future for the good of the organic market and our communities.

References
Organic Transition Initiative, USDA (https://www.farmers.gov/organic-transition-initiative)
Organic Trade Association’s 2022 Organic Industry Survey
Office of Management and Budget, Unified Agenda, RIN0581AE06 Original of Livestock and Poultry Standards(https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202210&RIN=0581-AE06)
OTA Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions (https://ota.com/OrganicFraudPrevention)
USDA organic learning center: (https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/training)
Organic Trade Association’s Fall 2022 Organic Report
USDA: Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project Summaries
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/partnerships-climate-smart-commodities-project-summaries.pdf

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CanadaTIA LOFTSGARD1The organic marketplace in Canada continues to expand. Canada is now the fifth largest
organic market in the world and is home to 7998 certified organic operations. While
production numbers have never kept pace with the demand in Canada, 2021 did
experience less growth in producers and acreage than in prior years.
Canadians are committed to organic in many sectors of our economy — as consumers,
farmers, educators, exporters, researchers and manufacturers. There is a sharedrecognition that the organic industry is not just about environmental stewardship,
healthful eating choices, or supporting local farmers – it’s about all those things.
At present, the Canada Organic Regime (COR) provides oversight and certification for
seed, food and beverages, and livestock and livestock feed. There are many otherindustry sectors in Canada using organic ingredients and selling organic products,
including supplements, textiles, personal care and pet foods that are not regulated by
the federal government.

Continued strong demand for organics
Organic food and beverage sales in 2021 topped 7.236 billion Canadian dollars2 in 2021.
The total organic sector, including other non-regulated products such as textiles, petfood, etc., grew to 9.35 billion Canadian dollars in 2021. The non-food segments grewat a higher rate than food and beverages (14.9 percent versus 10.2 percent), which isreflective of the fact that these segments, even though not regulated under the COR,
remain a growth opportunity for organic producers. While the overall growth rate ishigher than that of our American neighbours to the south, the Canadian organic
industry still has more growth ahead before reaching the same level of maturity as seenin the United States.
Food and beverages account for just over 80 percent of the organic market, followed byalcoholic beverages at 5.3 percent and organic fibre and supplements, each representing
close to 2.5 percent.

Slowed growth in certified organic farms and processors
The Canadian organic sector continued to experience some disruptions like most otherregions of the world. Yet, nominal growth (5 percent) still occurred, bringing 374 newbusinesses to certify their production practices as organic. At the end of 2021, there werea total of 7998 certified operations. There was a 5 percent increase in certified producers(130 producers), bringing the total amount of farmers in Canada to 6’916. The livestock
sector declined slightly by 2 percent to 784 certified livestock operations. Certified

1 Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director, Canada Organic Trade Association, Ottawa, Canada, www.canadaorganic.ca
2

In 2021, according to the Central European Bank, 1.4826 Canadian dollars corresponded to 1 euro.
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North America › Canada
processors experienced nominal growth of .4 percent, with only eight new
manufacturers registering.

More Canadian land is becoming certified
A total of 37’300 acres (14’973 hectares) were in the transition phase of becoming
certified in 2021. Although there was a decrease in acreage in Canada between 2020 and
2021 due to climatic conditions, decertifications and supply chain challenges due to
COVID-19, there are more producers that will be entering the system in 2-3 years.
Canada is currently home to more than 3.051 million acres of organic farmland (1.2
million hectares).

Where Canadians purchase organic is changing
Mass market grocery store channels continue to capture the majority of Canadianorganic food and beverage dollars, a lead that was strengthened by pandemic
restrictions during 2020. Online purchase options, which had seen strong growth in2019-2020, were chosen by a growing number of first-time users in Canada who chose
not to leave their homes for grocery shopping in 2021.
National natural health chains and club/warehouse stores have continued their support
for organic, and sales have followed suit. Once the mainstay of organic retailing in
Canada, the landscape of independent natural health food stores is shifting throughattrition and amalgamation into smaller regional chains.
Increased emphasis on the healthfulness of food, as well as local supply and foodsecurity concerns, drove continued support of farmers’ markets across Canada.
Restaurant closures as a result of pandemic measures resulted in a significant drop inorganic sales through food service channels which is slowly starting to pick up.

Canada’s position in the global marketplace
Canada continues to be a net importer of organics on the world stage. Looking at
Harmonized Sales (HS) code data provided by the federal government, Canadian
exports have declined hugely in the past year. Data reveals that organic exports
decreased from 2020 volumes of 609 million Canadian dollars in export sales to just 417
million in 2021. As stated previously, only 17 commodities are tracked using the HS
system1; therefore, this export figure represents only a portion of all Canadian organic
products exported in 2021.
2021 Canadian organic imports totaled more than 859 million Canadian dollars, up
from 800 million in 2020. Ontario imports almost one-half of Canada’s organics,
followed by British Columbia at 30 percent; however, both provinces are the points ofentry for those products and not solely the regions of consumption. Unroasted coffee
and bananas continue to top Canada’s organic import lists in both volume and dollar
value.

1 The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as the Harmonized System (HS)of tariff nomenclature is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers to classify tradedproducts. For more information see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonized_System.

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Organic equivalency arrangements continue to provide smooth market access for both
importers and exporters. Canada signed new equivalency arrangements in 2020 with
Taiwan and the United Kingdom and expanded the scope of the Japan arrangement toinclude livestock. Discussions started in 2021 with Japan to include alcohol under thescope of the agreement in the future as well. Canada continues discussions with both
Mexico and South Korea for future equivalency arrangements.

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North America › Statistics

Organic Agriculture in North America: Key Facts andFigures
Jan Trávníček1, Bernhard Schlatter2 and Helga Willer3
North America had nearly 3.5 million hectares of organic farmland in 2021
In North America, more than 3.5 million hectares were managed organically in 2021.
Over 4.6 percent of the world's organic farmland was in North America.
With only two countries reporting organic farmland in North America, the US had thelargest farmland area under organic management, followed by Canada (almost
1’216’000 hectares).

In North America, organic farmland decreased by more than 200’000 hectares.
Organic land decreased by 202’023 hectares in North America from 2020 to 2021,
representing a decrease of 5.4 percent. This was mainly due to a decrease in organic
farmland in Canada reported in 2021. 2021 data was not available for the US. From 2012
to 2021, organic farmland grew by 17.6 percent.

North America: Organic farmland share is at almost 1 percent
Organic farmland in North America constituted 0.8 percent of the continent’s total
agricultural land and was thus below the global organic area share of 1.6 percent in
2021.
The US reported a share of 0.6 percent, followed by Canada with a 2.1 percent share.

Key crops grown are cereals, oilseeds and dry pulses
Almost 40 percent of the organic farmland in North America was used for arable crops(1.5 million hectares). Among the key crops were cereals (661’473 hectares), oilseeds(160’199 hectares) and dry pulses (111’703 hectares).
Permanent crops accounted for approximately 10 percent of total organic land in North
America in 2021. Among the key crops were berries (49’746 hectares), grapes (28’736
hectares) and temperate fruit (19’184 hectares).

More than 23’000 farmers
There were more than 23’392 organic producers in North America. A total of 16’476
producers were counted in the US and 6’916 in Canada.

53.9 billion euros in retail sales
Organic retail sales for North America reached 53.9 billion euros in 2021. The USA,
which is the largest single market in the world (followed by the European Union),
reported retail sales of 48.6 billion euros, whereas Canada had 5.3 billion euros.

Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
2

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Organic exports – strong growth
US organic import and export data has been available since 2014, whereas data onorganic export volumes in metric tons to the European Union has been available since
2018.
Data show that in 2021 over 180'302 metric tons of products were exported from North
America to the EU and US/Canada, constituting 3.8 percent of all organic exports tothese countries or trade blocks. In the 4-year period from 2018 to 2021, North American
exports increased by almost 42 percent, growing considerably faster than global organic
exports to the EU and US, which grew by only 5 percent in the same period.

Canada exports mainly to the US
The larger North American exporter was Canada, with more than 168'404 metric tonsof products, mainly cereals and soybeans. Canada exported almost 140'000 metric tons
to the US and more than 30'000 metric tons to the EU. US exports to the EU reachedalmost 12'000 MT.

Cereals are the most important export productWith almost 109'000 metric tons and almost 60 percent of the North American organic
exports, cereals (mainly maize, oats and wheat) were the most important productgroup, followed by oilseeds (33'725 MT) and berries and nuts (8'258 MT) (Figure 23).
For more information about the North American figures, see figures and data tables, on
the following pages.

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North America › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in North America: Graphs

Figure 101: North America: The ten countries with the largest organic agriculturalarea 2021
Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Figure 102: North America: The countries with the highest organic share of total
agricultural land 2021
Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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North America › Statistics

Figure 103: North America: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021
Source: FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL-surveys 2001-2023 based on national data sources

Figure 104: Northern America: Use of organic agricultural land 2021
Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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North America › Statistics

Figure 105: North America: Key commodity groups exported to the EU and US(export volume in MT)
Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Figure 106: Northern America: Key countries exporting to the EU and US (export
volume in MT)
Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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North America › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in North America: Tables
Table 89: Northern America: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total
agricultural land and number of organic producers 2021
Area [ha]Share of total
agri. land [%]Producers [no.]CanadaUnited States of America

1'215'589
2'326'551

2.1%
0.6%

6'916
16'476

Total

3'542'140

0.8%

23'392

Country

Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 90: Northern America: Land use in organic agriculture 2021
Land use
Agricultural land and crops, no details
Arable land crops

Crop group

Area [ha]Permanent crops total
Permanent grassland

581'488
661'473
111'703661'47330
84'147
1'288
207
160'199
450'859
13'59659
2'167
28'517
1'008
6'847
3'390'547
15'58949'746
5'403
115
670
19'1845'122
28'73677
9'942
628
338'387458'009964'953

Total

3'542'140

Arable land crops total
Other agricultural land
Permanent crops

Cereals
Dry pulses
Cereals
Flowers and ornamental plants
Fresh vegetables and melons
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Mushrooms and truffles
Oilseeds
Plants harvested green
Root crops
Seeds and seedlings
Strawberries
Textile crops
Fallow land
Arable crops, other

Berries
Citrus fruit
CoffeeFruit
Fruit of temperate climate zones
Fruit, tropical and subtropical
GrapesNurseries
Nuts
OlivesPermanent crops, other

Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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North America › Statistics
Table 91: Northern America: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country
Agriculturalland, nodetails [ha]Country

CanadaUnited States of America
Total

Arable land[ha]Permanent
crops
[ha]

Permanent
grassland
[ha]

Other
agriculturalland [ha]661'725860'376
1'522'101

385'369
72'639458'009

152'907812'047964'953

15'589581'488581'488

15'589Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 92: Northern America: All organic areas 2021
Country

Agriculture[ha]

Forest[ha]

Wild collection
[ha]

Total
[ha]

CanadaUnited States of America

1'215'589
2'326'551

8'507
205'196

7'810
596

1'231'907
2'532'342

Total

3'542'140

213'703

8'406

3'764'249

Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 93: Northern America: Use of wild collection areas 2021
Land use

Area [ha]Berries, wild collection
Wild collection, no details

596
7'810

Total

8'406

Source: USDA and COTA 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 94: Northern America: Organic retail sales in 2021
Retail sales, all[Million €]Retail sales, all[€/person]

United States of America
Canada48'617.6
5'283.7

146.5
138.1

Total

53’901.3

143.7

Country

Source: OTA for USA and COTA for Canada 2022. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 95: Northern America: Organic exports to the EU and US by country (totals)
Export to USA[MT]Country

Export to EU[MT]

Export to EU and USA[MT]

CanadaUnited States of America

137'794

30'610
11'898168'404
11'898

Total

137'794

42'508180'302

Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 96: Northern America: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity
Product group
Cereals
Oilseeds
Fruit, berries and nuts,
prepared and preserved
Sugar
Dry pulses
Coffee308

Exports to EU
and USA [MT]108'815
33'725
8'258
7'911
6'282
3'375

Product group

Exports to EU
and USA [MT]Processed and preparedfruits and vegetables
Vegetable and animal oils
and fats
Root crops
Nuts
Vegetables, prepared andpreserved

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

1'406
1'389
1'292
929
874

North America › Statistics
Product group
Beverages
Fruit of temperate climate
zones
Grain mill products
Hot beverages (Coffee, tea
and cacao etc.)
Fresh vegetables andmelonsStrawberries
Non-food products
Bread and bakery products
GrapesBerries
Fruit, tropical andsubtropical
Tea/mate, etc.
Prepared food, no details
SeaweedFeedstuffs
Bee products
Hops
Other food products andproduct groups
Medicinal and aromaticplants
Cocoa, chocolate and sugar
confectionery, no details
Seeds and seedlings
Cocoa

Exports to EU
and USA [MT]Product group

777
684
644
505
349
342
339
286
242
233
231
176
154
136
135
125
112
72
64
59
57
43

Exports to EU
and USA [MT]Medicinal and aromaticplants, permanent
Noodles, couscous, etc.
Food additives
Meat and meat products
Textile crops
Plants harvested green
Protein concentrates
Other products
Spices and aromatics
OlivesMilk and dairy products
Mushrooms, prepared andpreserved
Yeast and other single cell
micro-organisms
Bakery and farinaceous
products
Wild collection, other
Cocoa, chocolate and sugar
confectionery
Food and non-foodproducts
Fruit/nuts/berries
Permanent crops, other
Manufactured products,
otherMushrooms and truffles
Grand Total

39
39
37
32
24
24
24
13
10
9
8
7.5
5
3
3
2
1
1.3
1.2
0.4
0.03
180'302

Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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309

Oceania

Map 7: Organic agricultural land in the countries of Oceania 2021
Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers and governments.

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Oceania › Australia

Australia
KANE FRAMPTON1
Introduction
Australia’s organic industry has been challenged by manifold factors in recent years,
including disruptions caused by the global pandemic, natural disasters, as well as
global inflation and its flow-on effects. Despite this, the industry remains robust withnew certified operators regularly entering the market, and positive consumer sentiment
noted (as outlined in below section on “Organic consumption and pricing trends”.
As a nation, Australia possesses the world’s largest area of agricultural land undercertified organic management, with the majority of Australia’s organic farmland
dedicated to pastoral operations. Key production areas include fruit and vegetables,
meat and livestock fodder, while manufacturers and processors are largely involved in
fruit, vegetable and dairy products.
Recent estimates place the value of the Australian organic industry in excess of 2 billion
Australian dollars.2 2022 has seen organic operators work through a variety of external
challenges, including supply chain and logistical disruption in the aftermath of the
COVID-19 pandemic. For primary organic producers in particular, the unpredictabilityof Australia’s natural environment has once again presented major hurdles toovercome.

Natural disasters and biosecurity concerns
Natural disasters and their associated impacts have been a consistent presence for many
agriculture operators in recent years, perhaps most notably with the catastrophic 20192020 “Black Summer” bushfire season, which saw fires burning across 24 million
hectares.3 While periods of prolonged drought and increased bushfire risk are common
in Australia’s climate, it was flooding events that caused widespread damage during2022.
In 2022, Australia’s east coast endured one of the nation’s worst flood disasters onrecord, with Queensland and New South Wales battered by a series of floods from 23
February to 7 April. Twenty-two lives were lost and a total insurance bill exceeding 5.5

1

Kane Frampton, Marketing Coordinator, Australian Organic Limited, Nundah, Australia,
www.austorganic.com
2
Australian Organic Limited (2021) Australian Organic Market Report 2021. Australian Organic Limited,
Nundah, QLD, Australia, www.austorganic.com
3
Humphries, A (2022) “Australia’s Black Summer bushfires were catastrophic enough. Now scientists saythey caused a “deep, long-lived” hole in the ozone layer”, ABC News, available online athttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-26/black-summer-bushfires-caused-ozone-hole/101376644

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Oceania › Australia
billion Australian dollars has been recorded.1 Many organic primary producers saw
their businesses decimated by significant stock and crop loss, with properties
inundated and machinery ruined. Given uncertainty around future rain and growing
potential, some organic operators chose to opt out of their growing seasons once
concurrent supply chain issues were taken into account.
A third La Nińa event2 was declared later in 2022, with major flooding also recorded
further south in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania during September andOctober, once again impacting many organic businesses. November saw major flooding
in parts of South Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology has projected that La Nińa may
start to ease in early 2023, which would be welcome relief for organic operators looking
to plan ahead with confidence3.
Biosecurity concerns were renewed in Australia in 2022, with Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) both detected in countries near to Australia. An
FMD outbreak was reported in cattle in Indonesia during May 2022, later spreading toBali, while an LSD outbreak was officially reported by Indonesia in March 2022, withthe disease found on the island of Sumatra and in Singapore.
As of December 2022, there have been no reported incursions of either disease inAustralia. Given the importance of organic and conventional livestock sectors in both
domestic and export markets, emphasis has been placed on maintaining sound on-farmbiosecurity practices. As Australia is an island nation, pre-emptive measures areneeded offshore, at the border and onshore to mitigate risk. The Department ofAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry released an inaugural “National Biosecurity
Strategy” in August 2022, in an effort to provide strong and clear guidelines for the next
decade and beyond4.

Organic consumption and pricing trends
A research project was conducted by Mobium Group on behalf of peak body AustralianOrganic Limited (AOL) in June 2022, uncovering key insights on shopping habits
related to organics5. A total of 1’020 Australian food shoppers aged between 18 and 69
were surveyed to ascertain the level of trust that shoppers have in organic claims, apersistent barrier to consumption based on previous research.

1

InsuranceNews.com.au (2022) “March flood costs pass $5 billion, overtake Cyclone Tracy”, available online
at https://www.insurancenews.com.au/daily/march-flood-costs-pass-5-billion-overtake-cyclone-tracy
2 A third period of the La Niña weather phenomenon was declared later in 2022. Periods of La Niña typicallyresult in increased rainfall across much of Australia, and major flooding was recorded further south in New
South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania during September and October, once again impacting many organic
businesses.
3
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (2022) “Negative Indian Ocean Dipole near its end; La Nina
to continue into summer”, accessed online at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/#tabs=Overview
4
Watt, M (2022) “Inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy released”, Australian Government Department ofAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, available online at https://minister.agriculture.gov.au/watt/mediareleases/national-biosecurity-strategy
5
Australian Organic Limited (2022) Australian Organic Consumer Trust Survey 2022. Australian Organic
Limited, Nundah, QLD, Australia, www.austorganic.com.
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Oceania › Australia
Perhaps the most noteworthy finding from the study was that 85 percent of foodshoppers consider price/value to be an impediment to purchasing organic in 2022, ascompared to 64 per cent of shoppers in 2021 and 63 per cent in 2019. This could be
attributed to a deteriorating general economic climate in Australia increasing
sensitivity to organic pricing.
This 2022 research also encompassed a “shopping basket pricing review” of certified
organic food and beverage products from major retailers Woolworths, Coles and Harris
Farm, with standard (not special) pricing captured. An average price premium of 32
per cent was noted for certified organic options compared to their conventional
equivalent. In several cases, the certified organic option was found to be cheaper for
products such as apple juice, soy milk and tea bags.
Positively, the latest report shows that significant progress has been made in rectifying
long-held consumer “barriers to purchase” in the organic space. The 2022 study foundthat only 15 per cent of respondents believe organic product access is an issue in 2022,
down from 50 per cent in a related 2010 study. Moreover, the “mainstreaming” oforganics has progressed significantly during this 12-year period, with widespread
adoption among major retailers in Australia.
In the same vein, only 20 per cent of 2022 respondents believe access to organic
information is an issue, compared to 39 per cent in the 2010 study. This could be
attributable to proactive campaigns led by brands and retailers seeking to inform andinspire and national awareness programs, such as the annual “Australian Organic
Awareness Month” initiative spearheaded by industry peak body AOL. Organic
product quality is also improving in the eyes of consumers, with 24 per cent indicating
quality is a roadblock in 2022, reduced from 46 per cent in the 2010 study.
Given Australia’s current lack of a domestic regulatory framework for organics(explored below), the presence of verified certification marks on organic products isparticularly important. The 2022 study found that 88 per cent of Australian foodshoppers believe that “having a certification logo to show that an organic product has
been independently verified would assist in making an informed purchasing decision”.
While some progress has evidently been made in eroding barriers to purchase forprospective organic shoppers, an industry-wide collaborative approach is needed toaddress further challenges. A key component of the Australian industry’s future lies indomestic regulatory control for use of the term organic on product claims.

Pursuit of domestic regulation for organics
As of 2022, Australia remains one of the few developed nations in the world not to have
implemented a domestic regulatory standard for the production and sale of organic
products. This is despite industry and cross-political support for the introduction oflegislation based on the current issues that Australian organic operators have inaccessing international markets and establishing credibility among consumers. At
present, Australian organic businesses selling domestically may voluntarily opt tobecome certified by one of six approved organic certification bodies, in an effort to build

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Oceania › Australia
consumer confidence. Certification is only compulsory for businesses wishing toexport.
Proponents of a domestic regulatory instrument believe that it will help to grow market
access internationally, simplify the negotiation of equivalency agreements, andimprove consumer confidence around organic product claims. Some Australian organic
exporters are forced to pay separate and additional certification fees at present,
depending on the requirements of destinations they are exporting to.
The introduction of domestic regulation appears to be moving closer, with the progress
made in recent years. An Organic Industry Advisory Group (OIAG) was established in
December 2020 by then federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, with an
appointed group of cross-sectional industry stakeholders meeting during 2021 to“provide advice and facilitate broad consultation”1. Once OIAG submissions werereceived, the Minister commenced a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)
process in early 2022, where feedback was sought from businesses and individuals
across the organics sector to gauge the full scale of potential regulatory impacts. Twotranches of public engagement were concluded in March 2022.
The Labor party won Australia’s May 2022 federal election, ousting the LiberalNational Coalition and leading to a pause in proceedings as the new Department ofAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry took shape. Much of their focus following theelection was on pressing matters related to flooding and biosecurity, but the industry
managed to re-engage the organic discussion with the Department and new Minister
for Agriculture Murray Watt later in 2022. The Department has expressed support for
the implementation of a domestic standard, but it will take some time for the finer
points of the proposed legislation to be explicated. Australian Organic Limited (AOL)
is committed to working closely with the Government and Industry in any necessary
capacity to help deliver a fit-for-purpose regulatory structure as soon as possible.

1

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2022) “Organic and biodynamic
produce – Consultation on domestic organics regulation”, available online athttps://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/food/organic-biodynamic/organicindustry-advisory-group#what-is-the-current-state-of-domestic-organics-regulation
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Oceania › New Zealand

A Snapshot of Organics in Aotearoa New Zealand1
TIFFANY TOMPKINS2
Organic agriculture is a fast-growing sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is well placed
to continue to not only leverage the country’s clean, green reputation but is anincreasingly important pillar in telling Aotearoa’s story to international consumers.

The New Zealand organic market
Valued at 723 million NZ dollars in 20203, sector growth comes from a position ofstrength and untapped potential. The organic sector generates approximately a total of
623 million NZ dollars in export (420 million NZ dollars; 58 percent of total) anddomestic market revenue (302 million NZ dollars, 42 percent), with a further 100 million
NZ dollars worth of products imported into New Zealand to meet consumer demand.
The average annual growth rate for organics at 6.4 percent over the past three years isquite substantial as it was achieved without government incentives or supporting
policy frameworks (Table 97).
Table 97: New Zealand’s organic market – key data
2020

Growth since 2017

Total market

723 Million NZ dollars+20% (annual growth rate: 6.4%)•

Exports

420.2 million NZ dollars

+18%

•

Domestic market

302.5 million NZ dollars

+23%

•

Imports

100 Million NZ dollars

Source: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) 2022

From just 86’000 hectares under organic certification, the average earnings are about7250 NZ dollars per hectare – responding to consumer demand for organic products,
particularly organic dairy, wine and kiwifruit. The sector exports to many global
markets, including those in emerging economies where a rising middle class is using
their new economic power to buy better food for their families.
There are many ways in which the sector can respond to the opportunities andchallenges it faces. Following the principles of organics, the health of the environmentand of people will always be integral to business. For the organic sector, how it grows
is as important as growth itself. Sector growth enriches our whenua (lands) and ourThis article represents a Summary of the New Zealand Organic Sector Market Report 2022/21. For
more information see https://www.oanz.org/market-reports.
1

2 Tiffani Tompkins, CEO, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ), P O Box 78408, Grey Lynn, Auckland
1245, New Zealand, www.oanz.org
3 In 2020, 1 Euro corresponded to 1.7561 New Zealand dollars.

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Oceania › New Zealand
hapori (communities) as much as producers, brand owners, exporters and others
engaged in the organic community.

Consumers
Most New Zealanders purchase organic products at least fortnightly, the majority ofthese from supermarkets. However, sales through other channels, including foodservice, tripled between 2017 and 2020. As organic becomes more mainstream, thischannel is expected to continue to grow and diversify (Figure 107).

Figure 107: New Zealand: Sales channels for Organic products 2021
Source: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) 2022

It is estimated that imported certified organic products comprise approximately 30
percent of the domestic market; typically, these are products New Zealand does not
grow.
The OANZ market report found that 81 percent of New Zealanders surveyed, reported
purchasing organic products at least fortnightly. By product group the pretences wereas follows.
− 41 percent by organic fruit and vegetables− 38 percent by meat, poultry, fish or eggs
− 29 percent buy dairy products− 25 percent by packaged, dried or frozen organic goods.
The main drivers for purchasing organic products are: closer to nature, taste, free ofresidues and sprays, health (including family health), and reducing the impact on theplanet. The main barriers to consumers preventing them from buying organic products
are price and availability.
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317

Oceania › New ZealandOrganic operations
The number of certified organic operators has continued to increase, with a 9 percent
growth (105 operators) since 2017. The number of certified operations increased by 198
in the same period, up 12 percent. There are over 300 operations in horticulture,
followed by viticulture and dairy at around 200 and 100, respectively. There areapproximately 350 certified organic processors (across all sectors). There has been a 54
percent increase in operations under conversion to organic compared to 2017.
Table 98: Development of the number of organic operators and operations 1997-2020
1997
Certifiedoperators
Certifiedoperations
Operations underconversion

335

2007

2009

2012

2015

2017

2020

860

1145

1221

997

1118

1223

1206

1416

1765

1500

1672

1870

232

104

141

217

Source: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ)New Zealand’s Organic Export Markets
New Zealand has an excellent international reputation for its natural environment and,
consequently, a reputation for producing safe, clean and green products.
Since 2017, New Zealand’s organic exports have grown by 18 percent to reach a valueof 420 million NZ dollars in 2020, up from 356 million NZ dollars in 2017. While growth
was experienced across almost all markets and product categories, three stand-out
sectors dominate organic production.
− Organic dairy is the largest organic sector, with exports of 153.8 million NZ
dollars, up 55 percent from 2017.
− Fruit and vegetables are the second largest sector at 143 million NZ dollars, up 6
percent from 2017.
− The wine sector is third at 65 million NZ dollars, up 40 percent from 2017.

Organic Exports by Destination
New Zealand is the only country that exports the majority of its organic production - ataround 58 percent. By contrast, Australia exports 26 percent, Denmark 19 percent,Sweden 10 percent and the US less than 2 percent.
Table 99: New Zealand’s top 5 organic export markets
Destination

Exports in NZ dollars

USA
China
European Union
Australia
Japan

Share of all organic exports

86.8 million
81.8 million
73.4 million
66.4 million
31.5 million

Source: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ)

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20.5%
19.5%
17.5%
15.8%
7.5%

Oceania › New Zealand
China only recently became a significant organic export destination for New Zealandin 2020. Liquid milk and organic infant formula are important organic dairy products
in China. This growth has been assisted by new Chinese government environmental
policies and standards around organics in 2019 when the government tightened
regulations regarding what products can be called ‘organic’.
In addition, the demand for New Zealand dairy is attributed to Chinese concerns over
local food safety and quality, which has been validated by instances of large-scale foodadulteration. Rapid urbanisation, a growing middle-class with higher disposable
income, and Chinese consumers' high regard for New Zealand products also contributeto the success of dairy sales. (Consumer study from the Ministry for Primary Industries(MPI) found that 85 percent of Chinese consumers rated New Zealand as a leading
supplier of high-quality produce.)
New Zealand has been an early mover in trade with China and is the fifth-largest
supplier of organic products to China.
Exports to the USA are dominated by fresh fruit, dairy and wine. Globally, the USA isthe biggest consumer of organic meat and vegetables and the largest single consumerof organic products.

COVID-19’s Influence
Through the COVID pandemic, New Zealand's food and beverage image has provided
a global opportunity for the country. According to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise(NZTE) research on how COVID has shifted consumer behaviour and perceptions in
New Zealand's major markets, COVID has amplified consumer interest in food safety
and quality.
Consumer insights revealed that “safety” and “high quality” are the main drivers fortrust in New Zealand products. Consumer insights also show that there is a growing
demand for more natural products that focus on health.
The presence of COVID-19 in the community, in the news and in everyday
conversations significantly impacted consumers. It interrupted the purchasing andconsumption of products through its impact on the incomes of some households andby leading people to rethink what they were doing.
One major trend that resulted was that people’s consideration of their health and theirfamily's health was heightened in the pandemic environment. This led to a rise in thesales of organic purchases, but with an uneven impact across the market where thedynamics of price, frequency of store visits and basket size shifted.
Financially constrained households on lower incomes continued to shop in priceorientated supermarket chains. Financially insulated households with higher
disposable incomes, while still weighted to price-orientated supermarkets, had a higher
share in range-orientated supermarkets and independent stores. The households whose
incomes were constrained by the pandemic were spread across the socio-economic
spectrum. They changed the most, as the pandemic and its impact on theircircumstances led them to rethink their lifestyles.

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Oceania › New Zealand
Prior to the pandemic, purchasing and consumption trends were towards products
containing less sugar, salt and fat, together with diets that contained a healthier balanceof foods and with a trend toward plant-based diets. While the majority (72 percent) ofpeople haven't changed their diet much, 18 percent of constrained households reported
eating more healthily.
Their responses aligned with the pandemic trends of consumers eating more healthily,with 77 percent of constrained households reporting higher intakes of fruit andvegetables compared to the 71 percent response rate of insulated households. Bothgroups reported eating less processed foods (57 percent for insulated families versus 54
percent for constrained) and preparing healthier food at home (64 percent for
constrained and 63 percent for insulated). Both sets of households were on par (at 12
percent for constrained and 12.9 percent for insulated) when it came to following
specific diets or healthy eating plans.

Indigenous Māori Organics in Aotearoa New Zealand
The National Māori Organics Authority of Aotearoa (Te Waka Kai Ora, TWKO) makes
a strong contribution to Māori organics through its presence and through continuing
support for Māori organic growers at the Social Enterprise Enablers Network”flaxroots”.1 2019/2020 has seen a refresh of TWKO with the election of a new Executive- Dr Jessica Hutchings -, the launching of a new website and a review of the Hua
Parakore2 documentation.
There are constant enquiries from Māori growers, trusts and farmers being made on a
weekly basis regarding the Hua Parakore system. A key activity in 2020 was
engagement with the Crown3 on the Organic Products Bill and the call for a Treatybased approach by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to organics in Aotearoa
New Zealand. TWKO continues to build partnerships across the organics sector with
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) and the Soil and Health Association as wellas with kaupapa Māori organisations4 such as Te Aho Tū Roa5 and the Toimata
Foundation6.
Tahuri Whenua Inc. also formed in the early 2000s, as a National Māori Vegetable
Growers Collective with a strong emphasis on indigenous and organic production

Flaxroots is the Social Enterprise Enablers Network of Aotearoa, New Zealand. More information can befound at https://flaxroots.nz/
2 Hua parakore is an indigenous food sovereignty initiative and hallmark of excellence for food and productproduction. More information can be found at https://www.journal.mai.ac.nz/content/hua-parakoreindigenous-food-sovereignty-initiative-and-hallmark-excellence-food-and-product.
3 In New Zealand, the Crown describes executive government conducted by Ministers and their departments.
It does not normally include organisations having their own corporate identities, such as state-owned
enterprises. More information is available at https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinetoffice/supporting-work-cabinet/cabinet-manual/1-sovereign-governor-1
4 Kura Kaupapa Māori are Māori-language immersion schools (kura) in New Zealand where the philosophy
and practice reflect Māori cultural values with the aim of revitalising Māori language, knowledge andculture. For more information see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kura_Kaupapa_M percentC4%81ori.
5 For more information see https://www.teahoturoa.org.nz/
6 For more information see https://toimata.org.nz/
1

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Oceania › New Zealandsystems. Tuku Māori Winemakers Collective promote sustainability andintergenerational cultural values in their collective. Regional or local groups such as theNgāti Porou Miere (honey) Collective promote sustainability including organic
principles in their activities and support of members.
Our research has identified that while the certified organic base for Māori is small, thereis clear alignment in values between tikanga Māori and organics.
It is also clear that Māori are world leaders in developing and organising indigenous
verification systems that can embellish the organic story, and are apt at developing
organisational structures and visions to meet future needs. Māori also remain open in
sharing these methods and processes with other people who support these culturalprocesses, nationally and internationally.
The relationship between traditional inputs and organic production for Māori is wellrecognised, but not yet well supported through research activity aligned to traditional
production systems.
Investment in the development of sustainable “Māori organics” through research,
infrastructure and support systems would be a valuable addition to building Māori
capacity and outputs relative to land management and production systems generally.

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Oceania › Pacific Islands

The Pacific Islands
KAREN MAPUSUA1Recent developments
COVID-19, including supply chain disruptions, restrictions on mobility and borderclosures, continued to substantially impact organic farmers, supply chains andcertification across the Pacific Islands. Audit and inspections have been severely
impacted as few countries have nationally based inspectors; they fly in fromneighbouring regions of Australia, New Zealand or South East Asia, and even the
United States. Most Pacific island states’ national borders did not open until the 3rdquarter of 2022. Some licensees have been able to undertake virtual audits, which has
meant that no new farms or licensees have been able to take up certification. However,
governments continue to take action to create a supportive policy environment, thedemand for certification continues, and regional and national agencies anddevelopment partners are increasingly recognising the value of organic agriculture asa development tool for the Pacific islands context.
In 2020 the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) surveyedorganic producers to assess the impact of COVID-19 on their production andlivelihoods, finding that farmers had difficulty accessing markets. Village-level income
sources are lost due to increasing unemployment among community members,
especially in Fiji. Inter-island supply chain logistics have been significantly affectedduring lockdown periods, and some farmers were unable to access inputs. Domestic
sales dropped dramatically due to the lack of tourists, while regional and internationalsales have diminished due to border closures. Respondents also noted that even though
auditors cannot travel, accreditors insist on continued surveillance. The main causes of
farmers not being able to access their farms were travel restrictions (including interisland travel, controls on travel in and out of some cities), lockdowns and government
recommendations to stay at home. There has been, however, an increase in demand for
locally made organic approved inputs as people are now more attuned to theimportance of agriculture and are turning to gardening (at least for homeconsumption).

Market, trade and certification
As most of the organically certified products from the Pacific are for export, thepandemic has forced producers to seek to expand local market opportunities giving
impetus to the trend of previous years of growing local markets through basket (box)schemes, unverified organic claims on labels, PGS development, organic stalls at
farmers markets, and increased awareness.

Karen Mapusua, Director Land Resources Division, Pacific Community (SPC) and President of IFOAM Organics International, Suva, Fiji

1

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Oceania › Pacific Islands
The following is a summary table listing the main products that are currently
organically certified in the Pacific:
Table 100: Pacific Islands/Oceania: Main products from the Pacific Islands
Products
Vanilla, turmeric, ginger & otherspices
Cocoa
Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut meal
Nonu /noni (Morinda Citrifolia)
Honey
Bananas (including processed)
CoffeeLivestock( Beef, Goats and Sheep)
Fruit & Vegetables ( including
processed)
Rum
Forest nuts

Countries
Fiji, Vanuatu, Niue, Samoa
Vanuatu, Samoa, PNG
Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Niue, French Polynesia
Niue, Fiji
PNG, Samoa
PNG, Samoa, Vanuatu
Vanuatu, Fiji
Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, French Polynesia, Cook Islands,
Republic of the Marshall Islands
French Polynesia
Solomon Islands

As yet, there are no mechanisms for collecting local organic market data. Still, growth
can be inferred from the growth in PGS-certified farms and the number of organic value
chains and market opportunities. The Government of Vanuatu is investigating thepossibility of collecting agricultural data supported by artificial intelligence as iscurrently utilised in the fisheries sector. If successful, it could benefit from gathering
this information for the organic sector.
PGS models in the Pacific include wild harvest, ‘whole island’, as well as more
traditional grower groups. Respect for traditional authorities (chiefs) is strong in the
Pacific Islands, and in some cases, traditional governance systems have been embraced
to provide support to the guarantee system. Processing and value-adding operations
are also certified through the PGS process. This has created a need to provide
considerable upskilling to those PGS who include processing to manage the more
complex inspection requirements.
In 2021 there were 12 PGS approved to use the Organic Pasifika Mark, with five
additional PGS under development. The number and variety of PGS-certified products
on local markets and for export is expanding, and 2021 saw the range grow to include
value-added products such as tofu. The growth of PGS and improved recognition of
the value of organics has also contributed to a rise in farmers’ markets and supply
agreements. Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands and Fiji now have certified produce soldthrough farmers’ markets. The Republic of the Marshall Islands has small amounts ofcertified fresh produce available in selected supermarkets. Fiji also has 135 PGScertified farmers supplying vegetables to the country’s only organic restaurant Tukuni,
established by the Foundation for Rural Enterprises and Development (FRIEND). The
hotel chain Marriot has expressed strong interest in this model for supplying its resort
in Fiji, including the restaurant concept, focusing on traditional dishes and crops.
Discussions are ongoing with FRIEND on cooperation models. These markets all
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Oceania › Pacific Islands
suffered varying degrees of disruption due to local travel and health restrictions but
have maintained momentum and picked up again once restrictions were eased.
Third-party organic certification suffered a greater impact due to the unavailability ofinspectors at the national level, combined with supply chain disruptions. Most PacificIslands maintained tight border closures till the mid to 3rd quarter of 2022. In addition,
the associated loss of markets has resulted in some licensees losing certification andothers needing help to undergo first inspections to start the certification process.

Legislation
New Caledonia and French Polynesia remain the only Territories to have regulatedorganics. Independent countries of the region still need to pass organic regulations. The
Government of Vanuatu has endorsed its first national organic policy, and theGovernments of Palau and Fiji now have draft policy’s waiting for official endorsementby authorities.

Government and international (development) support
As a regional intergovernmental organisation, the Pacific Community continues tosupport organics development and houses the POETCom secretariat. POETComremains predominantly funded through development projects.
POETCom national affiliates continue to receive assistance from international NGOs
and through bilateral development assistance. In a few cases, national governments
provide financial support for organic certification costs, as in the case of Samoa andNiue, where the national governments cover certification fees for national growergroups.
The growing interest of development partners in organics as a solution for climate
reliance and livelihood development is demonstrated through the Building Prosperity
for Women Producers through Organic Value Chains (BWBP) project launched in 2018
and concluded in 2023. It is implemented in partnership with the Pacific Community(SPC), Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) and the Australian
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade (DFAT). The Australian-funded Pacific
Women programme recognised the potential for organic value chains and mechanisms
such as Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) to economically and socially empower
women and worked with POETCom to design the project that will work with organic
producers, processors, vendors and organic associations and focus on niche organic
products that women can develop.
Another example is the PROTÉGÉ project in the Pacific French Territories, funded by
the European Union. PROTÉGÉ stands for “Projet régional océanien des territoires
pour la gestion durable des écosystèmes” (Pacific Territories Regional Project for
Sustainable Ecosystem Management) and has the objective to strengthen thesustainability, climate change adaptation and autonomy of key sectors; and enhance
ecosystem-services by protecting water resources and biodiversity. Agroecology andorganic agriculture form the basis of the agriculture component of the programme.

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Oceania › Pacific Islands
Outlook
A review was undertaken into POETCom’s structure to design a sustainable funding
mechanism to support the organic movement and the Pacific Organic Guarantee
Scheme. Recommendations are being finalised.
Opportunities for scaling organics as a response to climate change are growing, with
development partners more interested in funding programmes of this nature.
There are opportunities as post-COVID Pacific economies plan for a green recovery,
and an expectation that the local market for organic products will continue expansion
as tourism and hospitality industries look towards organic and sustainability as part of
the Pacific islands brand. This is being hampered by the economic situation, and while
tourism recovery has been strong, visitors to the Pacific are looking for ‘budget’
holidays, and organic may struggle to find its place in this narrative.

Links/Further reading
Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community www.organicpasifika.com
POETCom COVID-19 Survey report https://www.organicpasifika.com/poetcom/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/COVID19-SurveyReport_POETCom.pdf
Pacific Organic Standard, http://www.organicpasifika.com/poetcom/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/POS.pdf
POETCom Strategic Plan http://www.organicpasifika.com/poetcom/wpcontent/uploads/2020/12/POETCom_Strategic_PlanEnglish_Final_e-copy.pdf
POETCom Annual Reports http://www.organicpasifika.com/poetcom/who-are-we/annual-reports/
Pacific Organic Policy Toolkit http://www.organicpasifika.com/pasifikapolicytoolkit/

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Oceania › Statistics

Organic Agriculture in Oceania: Key Facts and Figures
JAN TRÁVNÍČEK1, BERNHARD SCHLATTER2 AND HELGA WILLER3
Nearly 36 million hectares of farmland were organic in Oceania in 2021 –Australia had the largest area worldwide
In Oceania, nearly 36 million hectares of farmland were managed organically in 2021.
Over 47 percent of the world's organic farmland was in Oceania.
With almost 35’688’000 hectares, the country that had the largest area of farmland underorganic management in 2021 was Australia, followed by Papua New Guinea (over88’000 hectares), Samoa (over 82’000 hectares) and New Zealand (over 79’000 hectares).
More than 99 percent of Oceania's organic farmland was in Australia.

Samoa is the country with the highest organic area share in Oceania
Organic farmland in Oceania constituted 9.7 percent of the total agricultural land of thecontinent, which was below the global share (1.6 percent) in 2021.
The country with the highest organic area share was Samoa (29.1 percent), which was
followed by Australia (9.9 percent) and Papua New Guinea (7.4 percent).

Oceania's organic farmland increased by almost 77’000 hectares
Oceania's organic farmland increased by almost 77’000 hectares, or about 0.2 percent,from 2020 to 2021. From 2012 to 2021, Oceania's organic farmland grew by 217 percent
and thus at a much faster rate than global organic farmland, mainly due to major
increases in Australia.

The key crops grown are coffee, coconuts and cerealsMore than 96 percent (over 34’672’000 hectares) of organic farmland in Oceania ispermanent grassland or grazing land, mainly in Australia. Not much information isavailable on the use of arable land and permanent cropland.
Only a small fraction of the organic farmland (51’386 hectares) is for arable crops. The
key arable crop group in 2021 was cereals (41’293 hectares). Permanent crops accounted
for approximately 0.4 percent of the total organic farmland in Oceania. Among the key
crops were coffee (68’238 hectares), coconuts (48’226 hectares) and grapes (5’783
hectares).

Organic producers, processors and importers: 18’479 producers managing nearly
36 million hectares
There were more than 18’000 organic producers in Oceania, with the highest numbers
in Papua New Guinea (12’827). Only 0.5 percent of the world’s organic producers were

Jan Trávníček, Czech Organics, Staré Město, Czech Republic, www.czechorganics.com
Bernhard Schlatter, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
3 Dr. Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, www.fibl.org
1
2

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Oceania › Statistics
in Oceania. Compared to 2020, 3’826 more (26 percent increase) organic producers werecounted. A total of 421 exporters and 2’424 processers were counted.

Retail sales: Data available for Australia and New Zealand
The total organic retail sales in Australia and New Zealand reached more than 1’866
million euros in 2021. In the two countries, per capita consumption of organic foodproducts reached almost 58.7 euros per person per year in 2021.

Organic exports – almost 30’000 metric tons
Data on organic export volumes in metric tons to the European Union has been
available since 2018, and data on exports to the US has been available since 2014. Data
show that in 2021 over 34’171 metric tons of products were exported from Oceania to
the EU and US, constituting 0.7 percent of all organic exports to these countries/trade
blocks. In the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, exports from Oceania increased byalmost 18 percent, considerably faster than global organic exports to the EU and US,
which grew by only 5 percent in the same period.

New Zealand is the largest exporter
The largest exporter in Oceania was New Zealand (more than 29’587 metric tons of
products – almost 57 percent apples and almost 30 percent kiwis), followed by Papua
New Guinea (almost 2’500 metric tons, mainly coffee) and Australia (1’949 metric tons).

Apples and kiwis are the most important export productComprising more than 16’747 metric tons and almost two-thirds of the organic exports
from Oceania, temperate fruits (exclusively apples) were the most important productgroup, followed by tropical and subtropical fruit (8’833 metric tons, exclusively kiwi)
and coffee (2’489 metric tons.
For more information see figures and data tables on the following pages.

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Oceania › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in Oceania: Graphs

Figure 108: Oceania: The ten countries with the largest organic agricultural area 2021
Source: POETCom-FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For
detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Figure 109: Oceania: The countries with the highest organic share of total agriculturalland 2021
Source: POETCom-FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For
detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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Oceania › Statistics

Figure 110: Oceania: Development of organic agricultural land 2000-2021
Source: POETCom-FiBL-IFOAM-SOEL-surveys 2001-2023

Figure 111: Oceania: Use of organic agricultural land 2021
Source: POETCom-FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For
detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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Oceania › Statistics

Figure 112: Oceania: Key commodity groups exported to the EU and US
Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Figure 113: Oceania: Key countries exporting to the EU and US
Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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Oceania › Statistics
Organic Agriculture in Oceania: Tables
Table 101: Oceania: Organic agricultural land, organic share of total agricultural landand number of organic producers 2021
Country

Share of total
agri. land [%]Area [ha]Producers [no.]Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Vanuatu

35'687'799
15
30'194
1'592
800
79'347
117
88'01482'299
8'231
1'119
6'281

9.9%
1.0%
7.1%
3.5%
0.4%
0.8%
2.3%
7.4%
29.1%
7.0%
3.2%
3.4%

1'829
58
13
19
685
2
12'827
1'993
898
81
74

Total

35'985'809

9.7%

18'479Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Tables: Oceania: Land use in organic agriculture 2021
Land use

Crop group

Agricultural land and crops, no details
Arable land crops

Area [ha]Permanent crops total
Permanent grassland

138'460
41'293
4'035
7
6'052
51'38646'765
1'935
48'22668'238
4'567
34
5'783
171
18'331147'284
34'672'149

Total

35'985'809

Cereals
Fresh vegetables and melons
Sugarcane
Arable crops, no details

Arable land crops total
Other agricultural land
Permanent crops

Cocoa
Coconut
CoffeeFruit
Fruit, tropical and subtropical
GrapesMedicinal and aromatic plants, permanent
Permanent crops, other

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 102: Oceania: Land use in organic agriculture 2021 by country
Country
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
New Caledonia
New Zealand

Agriculturalland, nodetails [ha]39'436

Arablecrops[ha]Permanent
crops
[ha]

45'195

10'350
15

32

1'481

6'052

18'311

Permanent
grassland[ha]
34'617'165

Other
agriculturalland [ha]975'653

30'19480

800
54'984

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331

Oceania › Statistics
Country
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Vanuatu
Total

Agriculturalland, nodetails [ha]117
17'51141'307
4'864

Arablecrops[ha]Permanent
crops
[ha]

Other
agriculturalland [ha]70'50240'992
3'367
215
2'052

108
4'230
138'460

Permanent
grassland[ha]

51'386147'284796
34'672'149

976'530

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 103: Oceania: All organic areas 2021
Country

Agriculture[ha]Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Vanuatu

35'687'799
15
30'194
1'592
800
79'347
117
88'01482'299
8'231
1'119
6'281

Total

35'985'809

Wild collection [ha]115'930

5'864

121'794

Total[ha]
35'687'799
15
30'194
117'522800
79'347
117
88'01488'164
8'231
1'119
6'281
36'107'603

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 104: Oceania: Use of wild collection areas 2021
Land use

Area [ha]Wild collection, no details

121'794

Total

121'794

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 105: Oceania: Organic retail sales 2021
Country

Retail sales[Million €]Per capita[€/person]

Australia

1'694.1

65.8

New Zealand

172.3

33.6

Source: FiBL survey 2023, based on information from the private sector, certifiers, and governments. For detailed data
sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 106: Oceania: Organic exports to the EU and US by country 2021 (totals)
Country

Exports to EU and USA [MT]New Zealand
Papua New Guinea

332

29'587
2'494

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Oceania › Statistics
Country
Australia
French Polynesia
Samoa
Fiji
Vanuatu
New Caledonia

Exports to EU and USA [MT]
1'896
79
51
43
21
0.4

Total

34'171

Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

Table 107: Oceania: Organic exports to the EU and US by commodity 2021 (totals)
Country

Exports to EU and USA [MT]Fruit of temperate climate zones
Fruit, tropical and subtropical
CoffeeFresh vegetables and melons
Beverages
Noodles, couscous, etc.
Bee products
Fruit, berries and nuts, prepared and preserved
Sugar
Processed and prepared fruits and vegetables
Vegetables, prepared and preserved
Vegetable and animal oils and fats
GrapesMedicinal and aromatic plants
Spices and aromatics
Non-food products
Other food products and product groups
OlivesFood additives
Medicinal and aromatic plants, permanent
Seeds and seedlings
Hops
Plants harvested green
Hot beverages (Coffee, tea and cacao etc.)
Tea/mate, etc.
Other products
Nuts
Cereals

16'747
8'833
2'489
2'329
1'954
498
278
215
187
134
89
81
77
73
44
34
27
22
20
14
10
6
2
2
1
1
1
1

Total

34'171

Source: GATS/USDA TRACES/European Commission. For detailed data sources, see annex, page 338.

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Annex › Annex I: Key Indicators

Annex I: Key Indicators by Region and Country
As a new addition to our tables on the key indicators, we have included the combined
exports to the European Union and the United States in metric tons (MT). Please notethat for the U.S., not all exports are covered, only select products. Please also bear inmind that there are further export destinations, so the data shown here is not complete.
For the countries of the European Union, only the exports to the USA are listed. There
are no data on intra-EU trade. See also chapter in this book on EU organic imports (page137).
Table 108: Key indicators by region 2021
RegionOrganic
farmland [ha]Organic
share of total
farmland[%]

Organic
producers [no.]Organic retailsales [Million €]Export to EU
and USA
combined[MT]

Africa*2’663’983

0.2

1’123’255

N/A

456’805

Asia

6’504’211

0.4

1’782’133

13’747664’470

Europe17’844’853

3.6

442’274

54’539671’209

Latin America

9’870’887

1.4

280’436778

2’610’054

Northern America

3’542’140

0.8

23’39253’901180’036

Oceania

35’985’809

9.7

18’4791’866

33’893

World**

76’403’777

1.6

3’669’201

124’845

4’616’468

Source: FiBL survey 2023. Note: Agricultural land includes in-conversion areas and excludes wild collection, aquaculture,
forest, and non-agricultural grazing areas. **Includes correction value for French overseas departments.

Table 109: Key indicators by country 2021
Country/Territory

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
AndorraAngolaArgentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
BahamasBangladesh
BelarusBelgium
BelizeBenin
BhutanBolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
BrazilBritish Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam

334

Organic
area [ha]Organic
share
[%]

98
1’094
772
2

0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.7
0.0
9.9
26.5
0.8
0.3
0.0
0.1
7.4
0.4
1.2
1.1
0.5
0.1
0.0
0.6
0.4
0.0

4’074’804
583
35’687’799
679’11938’08049
504
6’725
101’828676
48’898
5’608
179’425
2’495
1’482’406
26

Organic
producers[no.]Organic
retail sales[Million €]Export to
EU and USA
[MT]

130
64

0
1’970
2’919

1’336
27
1’829
23’961446

9286’028
124
1’805
415
1’228

19
2’590
385
9’046
1’998
14’16190
128’667

1’694
2’397
3

55
2’459
978
35
7’708
0
0
778

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

21’1252’788
0138’349

Annex › Annex I: Key Indicators
Country/Territory

Organic
area [ha]Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
BurundiCambodia
Cameroon
CanadaChad
Channel Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Rep.
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
CyprusCzech Republic
DenmarkDjibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
EcuadorEgypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
FinlandFranceFrench Guiana (France)
French Polynesia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
GreeceGrenadaGuadeloupe (France)
GuatemalaGuineaGuinea-Bissau
GuyanaHaiti
HondurasHong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq

86’31079’285549
21’112
1’594
1’215’589
180
152’773
2’753’700
100’874937
89’48615
10’30078’783
121’9242’129
7’738
558’124299’998
2’907
117’31252’185116’000
2’565
226’605
3’539
332’51931’937251
30’194327’736
2’776’554
3’886
1’592
4’278
1’802’231
38’260534’629195
1’300
71’6542’739
66’179293’597
6’440
2’657’889
83’362
7’053
63Organic
share
[%]
1.7
0.7
0.0
0.4
0.0
2.1
0.0
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.2
0.7
0.3
1.0
0.6
0.4
8.1
0.0
5.7
15.8
11.4
0.0
11.6
4.8
1.0
3.0
0.2
23.0
0.3
0.9
2.8
8.4
7.1
14.4
9.6
11.9
3.5
0.2
10.8
0.3
10.1
2.4
2.5
1.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
2.0
0.0
5.9
0.4
1.5
0.1
0.0
0.0

Organic
producers
[no.]
5’942
27’021
668
4’135
632
6’916
2’960
3’288
14’847171637
94’718
58
47
2’990
6’024
8
1’292
4’797
4’186
258
15’563
8’398
970
374
2’043
3
218’175
3
1
13
5’007
58’41369
19729
36’307
3’433
29’8695186141Organic
retail sales[Million €]
33

5’284

11’319

99

226
2’240

70’518149’042267’40742
12’60833’64735’481
27
1’187

0
18

93

268’854580’336
52’073
317
5’182

13

17’03643407
12’65915’870
66

1’874
79
730
245
30’3981’806
413’038
38
426
433
2’174
68’58191

4’631
15’0465’129
30
1’599’010
17’836346

Export to
EU and USA[MT]
14
17’55673
7’880
288
168’189
610

30
186

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn245’521
16’740
1’641

335

Annex › Annex I: Key Indicators
Country/Territory

Organic
area [ha]IrelandIsraelItaly
JamaicaJapan
JordanKazakhstan
Kenya
KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstan
Lao
LatviaLebanonLesothoLiberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
MalawiMalaysia
Mali
Malta
Martinique (France)
Mauritius
MayotteMexicoMoldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
MoroccoMozambique
MyanmarNamibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
North Macedonia
NorwayOman
Pakistan
Palestine
PanamaPapua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugal
Republic of Korea

86’8685’778
2’186’159
11
11’992
1’446
113’247
128’018
1’990
32
30’2597’993
291’150
1’671

336

2’791
1’423
261’782
6’893
95’083324
1’276
17’840
66
706
13
114
238’075
28’368241
4’404
11’45241’048
10’143384
2’448
76’375800
79’34737’35758’028117
7’794
45’112
7
69’850
5’517
5’929
88’014113’147374’926
216’334
509’286308’289
40’663

Organic
share
[%]
1.9
0.9
16.7
0.0
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.5
0.5
0.0
0.3
0.3
14.8
0.3
0.0
0.1
40.2
8.9
5.2
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
2.3
0.0
0.6
0.2
1.3
0.0
1.7
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.1
4.2
0.4
0.8
0.7
0.0
0.1
2.3
0.6
4.6
0.0
0.2
1.2
0.3
7.4
0.5
1.6
1.7
3.5
7.8
2.5

Organic
producers
[no.]
1’914
345
75’874
2
3’678
23
281
44’565
56
1’144
1’519
4’171
124
10
47
2’529
123
61’974330
11’6082577
1
952’274
151
314
422
423
1’358
68
15
1’048
1’985
685
10’912
2’308
2
887
1’778
1
934
1’632
18
12’827
5’591
117’398
13’06918’59813’26325’362

Organic
retail sales[Million €]
235
3’943
1’419

Export to
EU and USA[MT]16
24’62927’447
6
5’138
147
35’110
9’749
561
645
11’692

51
100
793
9
51
197

3
5’259
3’566
42
4’736

296
420’858
19’358
1

1’374
172

17
21’246
5’311
95
14
240
669
0
29’40011’884
700
906
662

442

314
21
486

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

45’625
861
1’270
2’494
78’790344’162
26’1362
3’228331

Annex › Annex I: Key Indicators
Country/Territory

Réunion (France)
Romania
Russian Federation
RwandaSaint Lucia
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
SenegalSerbiaSeychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
SomaliaSouth Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
SwedenSwitzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
TaiwanTajikistan
Tanzania, UnitedThailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Türkiye
UgandaUkraineUnited Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
ZambiaZimbabwe
Total

Organic
area [ha]Organic
share
[%]
4.4
4.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
29.1
21.1
0.0
0.0
0.7
0.0
4.9
2.2
11.7
10.8
7.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
10.8
2.4

Organic
producers[no.]427
11’562
66
8’930
1
1’993
4’201
400
18’372
458

1
1
5’360
7’670

11’76522’292286’627
167’985
32’311130’858
1’119
279’389327’583
505’308422’299
5’419
489’200
2’326’551
2’741’845
4’925

0.0
0.1
20.2
17.4
0.0
1.5
0.5
0.7
0.8
8.5
3.4
3.2
2.9
0.9
3.5
1.0
1.4
2.8
0.6
19.6
0.0

4’436
166
148’607
73’611
3
19’70981
7’101
48’244404’246
418
152
3’581
16’476
1’417
26

4’925
6’281
2’496
74’540
3’376
1’085
76’403’777

0.0
3.4
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
1.6

26
74
8
12’453
10’872
10’3793’669’201

2’100
578’718655’457
4’696
25
82’2999’291
27’110
3’262
23’527
193’95415
222’896
52’0788’231
97’3592’635’442
66’623960
52
606’669
181’444

Organic
retail sales[Million €]Export to
EU and USA
[MT]

41
183

9
61’865
730

306

5’507
16
716
3’685
898
4
1’307
52’861
1’940

51
4’888
277
2’891
19’43224
16’23687749
59
28’450
2’528

2’764
3’705

12

46
28
3’461
48’61810’07944’723
4’997
88
45
32
6
115
4’659
27’974724
72’73168’079170’732
22’866239’011319
101’187
11’847
961
1’257

1’257
21

124’845

14’34420314
4’616’468

Source: FiBL survey 2023. Note: Agricultural land includes in-conversion areas and excludes wild collection, aquaculture,
forest, and non-agricultural grazing areas. **Includes correction value for French overseas departments.

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

337

Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources

Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
In this chapter, we provide the data sources for our survey on organic worldwide. If
not otherwise stated, the data is from 2021.
Several sources appear a number of times; here the full information;− European Commission/TRACES: Imports into the European Union, market briefs
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/cap-my-country/performance-agriculturalpolicy/studies-and-reports/market-analyses-and-briefs_en− Eurostat: Area, crop and livestock production, operators for many European
countries; https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/agriculture/data/database− GATS/USDA for US export and import data: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's
Global Agricultural Trade System, available at https://apps.fas.usda.gov/GATS/

Afghanistan
SourceArgentina
Source› Area, operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT): GATS/USDA

Albania
Source› Area, operators: Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture Network (MOAN), Istituto
Agronomico Mediterraneo di Bari (CHEAM
Bari), Bari, Italy› Wild collection: Certifier data
› Exports (MT) to the EU: European
Commission/Traces

Algeria
Source› Area and operators: Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture Network (MOAN), MOAN
Secretariat, Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo diBari (CHEAM Bari), Bari, Italy. The data is from2017.
› Exports (MT): European Commission/Traces
and GATS/ USDA

› Area, operator, production, export, retail sales(MT) data: provided by SENASA,www.senasa.gov.ar› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, and GATS/(USDA
Contact› Diego Pinasco, SENASA, Buenos Aires,
Argentina, www.senasa.gob.arArmenia
Source› Area, operators: Survey of Ecoglobe - Organic
control and certification body, Yerevan,
Republic of Armenia, www.ecoglobe.am› Exports (MT)) to EU and US: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA
Contact› Eliza Petrosyan and Nune Darbinyan,
Ecoglobe - Organic control and certification
body, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia,
www.ecoglobe.am

AndorraAustralia

SourceSource› Ecocert Iberica, Seville, Spain› Area, operators (from 2018): AustralianOrganic (2019): Market Report 2019. AustralianOrganic, Nundah› Land use and crop data from 2017. Source:
Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS, provided
by Els Wynen.1

Angola› Area and operators: Certifier data were notreceived.
› Exports (MT)): European Commission/Traces

1 See Wynen, Els (2019): Organic Australia in

2010/11 and 2015/16. In: Willer, Helga and Julia
Lernoud (Eds.) (2019): The World of Organic
Agriculture. Research Institute of Organic

338

Agriculture FiBL, Frick, and IFOAM – Organics
International, Bonn. Available athttps://www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook2019.html

FiBL & IFOAM – Organics International (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture. Frick and Bonn

Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources› Retail sales: Australian Organic/IBISWORLD› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA
Note› See also the article about organic farming inAustralia in this and in previous editions of “TheWorld of Organic Agriculture.”Contact› Nicole Ford and Kane Frampton, AustralianOrganic, Nundah, Australia

Austria
Sources› Area, land use and operators:
Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft,
Tourismus und Regionen, Vienna, Austria› Retail sales: RollAMA based on GfK, AMAMarketing, Agrarmarkt Austria Marketing
GesmbH, Vienna, Austria› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces; exports to US:
GATS/USDA
Contact› Otto Hofer, Federal Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry, Environment and Water Management(AT), Vienna, Austria› Pia Reindl and Barbara Köcher-Schulz, AMAMarketing GesmbH AMA, Vienna, Austria

Azerbaijan
Source› Area, operators (from 2015): Experimental andResource Center affiliated to the Azerbaijan
Botanic Center, Ganja, Azerbaijan,
www.etkt.az.
› Retail sales (from 2011): see above› Exports (MT) to EU and US: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA
Contact› Dr Vugar Babayev, Ganja Agribusiness
Association (GABA), Ganja, Azerbaijan,
www.etkt.az.

Bahamas› Certifier data.

BahrainProcessing only: Certifier data,

Bangladesh
Source› Certifier data
› Please note that due to the multiple andchanging data sources, a direct year-to-yearcomparison is not possible for Bangladesh.
› Exports (MT) to EU and US: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Contact› Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Hossain, IFOAM Asia
› Dr Khurshid Alam, BARI, Bangladesh

Belarus
Source› Area, operators: Ecoidea project, Minsk,
Belarus› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact
Tatsiana Ostrouh. Ecoidea project, Minsk,
BelarusBelgium
Sources› Area and operator data: Biowallonie, Brussels,
Belgium› Crop and livestock data (2020): Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Biowallonie, Brussels, Belgium› Retail sales share of total: Landbouw en
Visserij, Brussels, Belgium› Import data: European Commission/Traces
Contact› Ilse Timmermans, Landbouw en Visserij,
Brussels, Belgium

BelizeSource› Area and producers: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Benin

SourcesArea, operators (updates were not received fromall certifiers)› CERTISYS, Bolline, Belgium, www.certisys.eu.
› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands,
www.controlunion.org› Ecocert Burkina Faso, Ouaga, Burkina Faso,
www.ecocert.com› Kiwa BCS, Nürnberg, Germany, www.bcsoeko.de› OneCert international, Jaipur, India› Textile exchange, cotton area data
› Exports (MT) to the EU: European
Commission/Traces

Bermuda› No data were received for Bermuda

BhutanSource› Area, operators: National center for Organic
Agriculture (NCOA) Thimphu, Bhutan,
www.moa.gov.bt

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Contact› Om Prakash Ghalley, National center for
Organic Agriculture (NCOA), Department ofAgriculture, Ministry of Agriculture andForests, Yusipang, Bhutan› Kesang Tshomo, Ministry of Agriculture andForestry,› National Organic Flagship Programme,
Thimphu, Bhutan, www.moa.gov.bt

Bolivia
Source› Area, operator, production, operators (2020)
from SENASAG, provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Bosnia Herzegovina
Source› Area, producers: Ministry of Agriculture,
Water Management and Forestry, Sarajevo,
Bosnia and Herzegovina› Crop details are from 2019 and were provided
by the Mediterranean Organic Agriculture
Network (MOAN, Bari, Italy› Exports (MT) to EU: European
Commission/Traces› Retail sales (2017): Organska Kontrola,
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Contact› Elda Hodžić-Isović, Ministry of Agriculture,
Water Management and Forestry, Sarajevo,
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana› Area (wild collection), producers: Certifier
data› Exports (MT) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

BrazilSources› Area and operator data: Ministério da
Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento/Ministryof Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAPA).
Data were provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica (CIAO),
Buenos Aires, Argentina. To this data, the area
and operator data of two international certifiers
as well data from the Textile Exchange(https://textileexchange.org/) were added by
FiBL. The data of these certifiers are currently
not registered under the system of the MAPA.
For MAPA data, see Table 88.
› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces and GATS/USDA340› Total export value and retail sales data:
Organic Brazil (2016 data)
Note› Please note that area and operator data from
MAPA may include PGS data.
› Please note that land use and crop details wereavailable only from international certifiers;
hence, for the crops, not the total organic
farmland is covered.
Contact› Virgínia Mendes Cipriano Lira, Ministério da
Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento(DTEC/SDA/MAPA), Coordenadora deProdução Orgânica, Brasilia, Brazil

British Virgin Island
Source› Area, operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)): European Commission/Traces,
USDA

Brunei Darussalam› Certifier data
› Exports (MT) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Bulgaria
Sources› Land area, operators: Ministry of Agriculture,
Sofia, Bulgaria, provided by Bioselena, Karlovo,
Bulgaria› Retail sales: FAS (2022): Organic Market Annual
Report Bulgaria. FAS/GAIN, USDA,
Washington. Available athttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Orga
nic%20Market%20Annual_Sofia_Bulgaria_0121-2022› Import data: European Commission/Traces› Exports [MT] to US: GATS/USDA
Contact› Dr. Stoilko Apostolov, FOA Bioselena, Karlovo,
Bulgaria. www.bioselena.com

Burkina Faso
SourcesArea, operators: Certifier data›
› Exports (MT)) to EU:, European
Commission/Traces

BurundiSource› Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Cambodia
Source› Area/operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Cameroon
Source› Ecocert West Africa, Ouagadougou, Burkina
Faso, www.ecocert.com. Producer data arefrom 2017.
› Ecocert East Africa, Antananarivo, Madagascar› Exports (MT) to EU and US: European
Commission/Traces and GATS/USDA

CanadaSource› Land area, producers and other operator types,
retail sales, market data: Canada Organic Trade
Association (COTA), Ottawa, Canada› Exports (MT) to EU and US: European
Commission/Traces and GATS/USDA
Contact› Tia Loftsgard and Diana Zeidan, Canada
Organic Trade Association, Ottawa, Canada,
http://ota.com/otacanada.html
Note
See also the article about organic farming in
Canada in this and in previous editions of “TheWorld of Organic Agriculture.”

Cape Verde› No data› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› María José Pizarro Álvarez and Oficina deEstudios y Políticas Agrarias (ODEPA),
Ministerio de Agricultura, Teatinos 40,
Santiago, Chile, www.odepa.gob.cl› Claudio Cárdenas Catalán, Servicio Agrícola yGandero (SAG), Ministerio de Agricultura,
Santiago, Chile, http://www.sag.cl

China
Sources› Land area, operators, market/retail sales andexport data; Chinese Agricultural University,
Beijing, China› For the cotton area, data from the Textile
Exchange (https://textileexchange.org/)wereused.
› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Yuhui Qiao, Chinese Agricultural University,
Beijing, China

Colombia
Source› Area data: from Federación Orgánicos deColombia.
› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA
Contact› Area (wild collection): Certifier data.
› Exports (MT) to EU: European
Commission/Traces› Luis Betancourt, National University ofColombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
Note› The data from Federación de Orgánicos deColombia is based on estimates.

Channel Islands

Comoros

SourceSource› Area: FAOSTAT (2019) Organic area data
Channel Islands. The FAOSTAT website,
FAOSTAT, Rome, Italy,
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data FAOSTAT> Land, Inputs and Sustainability› Area and operators: Ecocert East Africa,
Antananarivo, Madagascar› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Chad

Chile
Source› Area data, producers/ smallholders, livestockand export/import data: Servicio Agrícola yGanadero (SAG), Santiago, Chile,www.sag.gob.cl, provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Retail sales data (2009) according to USDA:
Organic Products Report Chile. GAIN Report
Number CI0031. November 30, 2010

Congo, Democratic Republic of› Area and producers: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Cook Islands
Source› Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community(POETCom), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int.
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva, Fiji, www.spc.int

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Costa Rica
Source› Area and operator data: Servicio Fitosanitariodel Estado (SFE), M.A.G. Costa Rica, San José.
Data were provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Côte d’Ivoire
Sources
The data were compiled by FiBL based on thedata of the following international certifiers:› CERTISYS, Bolline, Belgium› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands,
www.controlunion.org› Ecocert West Africa, Ouagadougou, Burkina
Faso, www.ecocert.com
Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Croatia
Sources› Area and operators: Eurostat database organic
farming, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market (from 2014) & export value data (from2011): Darko Znaor, Independent Consultant,
10000 Zagreb, Croatia› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US [MT]: GATS/USDA

Cuba› Area and operators: Certifier data (2019)› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Cyprus
Source› Land area and producer data: Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market data (from 2006): Organic Retailers
Association, Ecozept and Biovista (eds.) (2008):
Specialised Organic Retail Report 2008.
Freising and Vienna 2008
› Import data (M): European Commission/Traces› Exports (MT) to the USA: GATS/USDA

Czechia
Source› Area, operators, market and international trade
data: Institute of Agricultural Economics andInformation (UZEI), Department of Agrienvironmental Policy, 602 00 Brno, Czech
Republic. The market and international trade
data are from 2019.

342› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Hana Šejnohová, Institute of Agricultural
Economics and Information (UZEI),
Department of Agri-environmental Policy,
Brno, Czech Republic› Andrea Hrabalová, Brno, Czech Republic

Denmark
Sources› Land area, land use (2020), Operators: Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Retail sales: Landbrug & Fødevarer. Based ondata from Statistics Denmark (general retailsales) and Organic Denmark (for othermarketing channels)› Foodservice, import and export value (euros):
Statistics Denmark› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Ejvind Pedersen, Danish Agriculture & Food
Council, Copenhagen, Denmark

Djibouti› Area/Operators: No data were reported› Export s(MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Dominica
Source› Area and operators: Certifier data

Dominican Republic
Source› Area, operators, and production data (2020)
from Secretaria de Estado de Agricultura,
Oficina de Control Orgánico, Santa Domingo,
Dominican Republic, www.agricultura.gob.do.
Data were provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/ USDA
Contact› Leandro Duarte Nina Fortuna, Director Oficina
de Control de la Agricultura Orgánica,
ViceMinisterio de Extensión y Capacitación
Agropecuarias, Ministerio de Agricultura,Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic,
www.agricultura.gob.do.

Ecuador
Source› Area, operators, production, and export data
(total in MT and euros): Agrocalidad, Quito,
Ecuador, www.agrocalidad.gob.ec Data were

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
provided via Comisión Interamericana de
Agricultura Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires,
Argentina› Retail sales and export value data from 2017.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Rommel Aníbal Betancourt Herrera,
Agrocalidad, Quito, Ecuador

Egypt
Source› Mediterranean Organic Agriculture Network(MOAN), MOAN Secretariat Istituto
Agronomico Mediterraneo di Bari (CIHEAM
Bari), Bari, Italy› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDAEl Salvador
Source› Area, operators, production, export, retailsales data from the Ministerio de Agricultura yGanadería (MAG), Final 1a. Avenida Norte, 13
Calle Poniente y Avenida Manuel, Gallardo,
Santa Tecla, El Salvador Data were provided via
Comisión Interamericana de Agricultura
Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Jose Fernando Maldonado Cestona,
Coordinador Area de Inocuidad de Alimentos
y Agricultura Orgánica Ministerio de
Agricultura y Ganadería Dirección General de
Sanidad Vegetal, El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea› Wild collection/operators: Certifier data
› For this country, only export data are available(European Commission/Traces). Information
on area and producers should be sent tohelga.willer@fibl.org

Estonia
Sources› Land area, land use, operators: Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Wild collection: Estonian Organic Farming
Foundation (2022): Organic Farming in Estonia
2021. Tartu. Available at
http://www.maheklubi.ee/upload/Editor/mahe_eestis_2021_est_eng_digi.pdf› Retail sales data: Estonian Institute of Economic
Research, Estonia› Export data (euros): Estonian Ministry ofAgriculture› Exports (MT)) to the USA: USDA
› Import (MT): European Commission/Traces› A detailed report about organic farming in
Estonia can be found at
http://www.maheklubi.ee/mison/eestis/Contact› Merit Mikk, Centre of Ecological Engineering,Tartu, Estonia

Eswatini› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Ethiopia
Sources
Area and operator data
› CERES–CERT, Frick, Switzerland› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands› Ecocert South Africa, Stellenbosch, South
Africa› Letis, Santa Fe, Argentina,› Onecert, Mansarovar, Jaipur, India,
www.onecert.com› Textile Exchange, London, UK (for Cotton
data)
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

Falkland Islands/Malvinas
Source› Department of Agriculture, Bypass Road,
Stanley, Falkland Islands,
www.agriculture.gov.fk.
Contact› Lucy Ellis, Department of Agriculture, Bypass
Road, Stanley, Falkland Islands,
www.agriculture.gov.fk

Faroe Islands
Source› Vottunarstofan Tún ehf, Laugavegur 7, 101
Reykjavík, Iceland, www.tun.is.
Contact› Gunnar Gunnarsson, Vottunarstofan Tún ehf.,
Reykjavík, Iceland, www.tun.is

Fiji Islands
Source› Area and operator data: Pacific Organic andEthical Trade Community (POETCom), Suva,
Fiji, www.spc.int› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Pacific Organic and Ethical
Trade Community (POETCom), Suva, Fiji

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
FinlandContact

Sources› Elene Shatberashvili and Mariam Jorjadze,
Biological Farming Association Elkana, Tbilisi,
Georgia, www.elkana.org.ge› Land area and operators: Finnish Food
Authority, data provided by Pro Luomu,
Kauniainen, Finland› Market data: Pro Luomu, Kauniainen, Finland› Export data (2019): Pro Luomu, Kauniainen,
Finland. Organic exports are estimated at 25 to
30 million euros› Import data: European Commission/Traces
Contact› Aura Lamminparras, Pro Luomu,
Kauniainen, Finland

FranceSource› Area and operators: Agence Bio, Montreuilsur-Bois, France. www.agencebio.org, and for2020 crop details: Eurostat database, Eurostat
Luxembourg› Retail sales: Agence Bio, Montreuil-sur-Bois,
France› Export and import values: Agence Bio,
Montreuil-sur-Bois, France› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to US (MT): GATS/USDA

French Guyana
Source› Agence Bio, Montreuil-sur-Bois, France.
www.agencebio.org.

French Polynesia
Source› Area and operators: Pacific Organic and Ethical
Trade Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

GambiaThe certifier, who had provided data in theprevious years, did not report activities
anymore. No imports from Gambia into theEuropean Union were reported.

Georgia
Source› Area and operators: Elkana Survey, Elkana, 16
Gazapkhuli Street, 0177 Tbilisi, Georgia,
www.elkana.org› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA

344

Germany
Sources› Area and operator data: Federal Agency for
Agriculture BLE, Bonn, Germany› Crop and livestock details: Agrarmarkt
Informations-Gesellschaft mbH (AMI), Bonn,
Germany, www.ami-informiert.de.
› Retail sales: Arbeitskreis Biomarkt (Working
group organic market), coordinated by AMI
based on data of GfK, Nielsen, bioVista und
Klaus Braun Kommunikationsberatung› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA
Contact› Diana Schaack, Agrarmarkt InformationsGesellschaft mbH (AMI), Bonn, Germany,
www.ami-informiert.de

Ghana
SourceThe data was compiled by FiBL based on thedata of the following international certifiers.
› CERES-CERT, Frick, Switzerland› CERTISYS, Bolline, www.certisys.eu
Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands,
www.controlunion.org
Ecocert, East Africa
Exports (MT)) to EU and US: European
Commission/Traces and GATS/USDA

GreeceSources› Land area and operators (2020): Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg.
› Market data: Daso Business Performance PC,
Strategy & Management Consultants,
Thessaloniki, Greece› Wild collection data (2015) Mediterranean
Organic Agriculture Network (MOAN),
MOAN Secretariat Istituto Agronomico
Mediterraneo di Bari (CIHEAM Bari), Bari,
Italy› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to US (MT): GATS/USDA
Contact› Nicolette van der Smissen, Feres, Greece

GrenadaArea and operators: Certifier data.

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Guadeloupe
Source› Agence Bio, Montreuil-sur-Bois, France.
www.agencebio.org.

GuatemalaSource› Area, operators, and total export data:
Department of Organic Agriculture, Ministeriode Agricultura, Ganaderia y Alimentación(MAGA), Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
C.A. 01013, www2.maga.gob.gt. Data were
provided via Comisión Interamericana de
Agricultura Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires,
Argentina› Operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Lauro Antonio Rivera Gramajo, Dirección deFitozoogenética y Recursos Nativos (DFRN),
Viceministerio de Sanidad Agropecuaria yRegulaciones (VISAR), Ministerio Agricultura,
Ganadería y Alimentación (MAGA), Ciudad deGuatemala, Guatemala,https://visar.maga.gob.gt/

Guinea› Operators: Certifier data. No data on the area
were provided.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Guinea Bissau› No area or operator data were provided.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

GuyanaSource› Area: Wild collection (2019) : Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Haiti
Sources› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Honduras› Data were provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Hungary
Sources› Land area and operator data: Eurostat andNational Food Chain Safety Office, Food andFeed Safety Office, Food Trade Control
Department, Hungary, www.nebih.gov.hu,
and Eurostat database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market and trade data (2009/2015):
Survey/Estimate by Ferenc Frühwald,
Budapest, Hungary› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA
Contact› Dora Drexler, Hungarian Institute of Organic
Agriculture ÖMKi, Budapest, Hungary,www.biokutatas.hu

Iceland
Source› Vottunarstofan Tún ehf., Reykjavík, Iceland,
www.tun.is.
Contact› Gunnar Gunnarsson Vottunarstofan Tún ehf.,
Reykjavík, Iceland, www.tun.is

India
Source› Land area, operators, exports: Agricultural andProcessed Food Products Export Development(APEDA) Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
Government of India, New Delhi, India,
www.apeda.com. Crop area data were notavailable from APEDEA; area data for cotton
were added from the Textile Exchange.
› Retail sales data (2017): ICCOA- International
Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture,
Karnataka, India› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Note
› In addition to the 3rd party certified area, there
were 884’105 hectares with PGS certification
managed by a total of 1’426’766 farmers
organised in 53’917 PGS groups. The data isavailable at: http://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in.

SourceIndonesia› Area and operators: (2020): SENASA Honduras,
SAG, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; crop details
based on data from certifiers.

Source› Area data were compiled from several
international certifiers

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources› For the producers, the data from theIndonesian Organic Alliance were maintained(from 2017). Further clarification is needed forIndonesia.
› Exports (MT) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Iran
Sources› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Beehives: Shahid Beheshti University ESRI,
Evin, Tehran, Iran. The data is from 2017.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, GATS/USDA
NotePlease note that the data source has changed.
The data was compiled by FiBL based on thedata from 3 international certifiers. Previously
data were provided by the Shahid Beheshti
University ESRI, Evin, Tehran, Iran (last update:2017).

IsraelSource› Area and operators: Standardisation andAccreditation Department Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development Plant
Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS),
Israel,www.ppiseng.moag.gov.il/ppiseng/ISREAL› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Tal Weil Tzameret, Standardization andAccreditation Department, Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development, Plant
Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS),
IsraelItaly
Sources

Ireland› Organic area and operators: Mediterranean
Organic Agriculture Network (MAON), Bari,
Italy› Retail sales: Nomisma, Bologna, Italy. Please
note that the data is from July 2022. Just as the2021 data re from July 2021.
› Export values: Nomisma, Bologna, Italy (July2022)› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA
Contact

Sources› Silvia Zucconi, Nomisma, Bologna, Italy› Area and Operators: Eurostat, Luxembourg› Aquaculture: European Market Observatory for
Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (2022):
Organic Aquaculture in the EU. European
Commission, Brussels. Available athttps://www.eumofa.eu/documents/20178/4323
72/Organic+aquaculture+in+the+EU_final+report_ONLINE.pdf› Retail sales: (2022): Bord Bia, Dublin, Ireland.
› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports (MT) to USA:, GATS/USDA
NoteJamaica

Iraq
Source› Zakho Small Villages Projects (ZSVP), Dohuk
City, Dohuk, Iraq. The data is from 2019.
Contact› Dr Abid Ali Hasan, Zakho Small Villages
Projects (ZSVP), Program Coordinator in Iraq,
Dohuk City, Dohuk, Iraq

Throughout the printed version, the operator
numbers for Irland are missing. For 2021, thesenumbers are: exporters: 58; importers: 156;
processors: 215; producers: 1'914. The total
numbers for the European Union, Europe andthe World in the various tables of this book havebeen corrected in the PDF version.

346

Source› Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to the USA: USDAJapan
Source› Area and producer (2020) data: Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF),
Tokyo, Japan› Domestic market data (2018): Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF),
Tokyo, Japan. Data provided by the Italian
Embassy in Tokyo at a presentation at SANA
2019, Bologna› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

JordanSource› Area and operators: Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture Network (MOAN), MOAN
Secretariat Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
di Bari (CIHEAM Bari), Bari, Italy. The data isfrom 2017.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Kazakhstan
Sources
Area and operators› CERES-CERT, Frick, Switzerland› Ekoagros, Kaunas, Lithuania,› Letis, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina› Organic Standard, Kyiv, Ukraine
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Kenya
Source› Area and operators: Kenya Organic Movement(KOAN), Nairobi, Kenya, www.koan.co.ke› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact

KuwaitSource› Ecocert India, Aurangabad, Maharashtra,
India, www.ecocert.com
Contact› Amresh Kumar Pandey, Ecocert India,
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India,
www.ecocert.com

Kyrgyzstan
Source› Area and operators: Agricultural Commodity
and Service Cooperative “Bio Farmer”,
Kyrgyzstan. To this data, the data of threeinternational certifiers as well as data from
Textile Exchange (Cotton) was added› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Nurbek Kannazarov, Organic Farming
Kyrgyzstan› Samuel Ndungu, Kenya Organic Movement(KOAN), Nairobi, Kenya, www.koan.co.ke

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Korea, Republic of› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
› ACT Ecocert India, Onecert

Source› Area, operators and retail sales: Korea Instituteof Rural Social Affairs, Chungnam Province,
Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact

SourceLatviaSource› Jennifer Chang, Korean Federation of Organic
Agriculture Organisations (KFSA), Republic ofKorea› Hakkyun Jeong, Korea Institute of Rural Social
Affairs, Chungnam Province, Republic of
Korea› Area and Operators (2020): Eurostat database,Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market data (from 2017): Retail sales andexport data: Moreganic Sourcing AB (2018):
Baltic Organic Market Report 2018/2019.
Moreganic Sourcing, Uppsala, Sweden› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces

KosovoLebanonSource› Area and operators: Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture Network (MOAN), MOAN
Secretariat Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo diBari (CIHEAM Bari), Bari, Italy› Wild collection: Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Rural Development MARFD¸
Pristina› Export value (2015): Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Rural Development, Pristina,
Kosovo› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Source› Area and operators: CCPB Middle East, Beirut,
Lebanon› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Angel Atallah, CCPB Middle East, Beirut,
LebanonLesotho› Area and producers: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Liberia
Area/Operators: Certifier data

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Liechtenstein

Malaysia

Source› Area and operators: Certifier data.

› Klaus Büchel Anstalt, Institute of Agriculture
and Environment, Mauren, Liechtenstein,www.kba.li.
Contact› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

› Florian Bernardi and Klaus Büchel, Institute ofAgriculture and Environment, Mauren,
Liechtenstein, www.kba.li.

Lithuania
Source› Land area, production, operators: Ekoagros,
Kaunas, Lithuania› Market data: Retail sales and export data
(2017): Moreganic Sourcing AB (2018): Baltic
Organic Market Report 2018/2019. Moreganic
Sourcing, Uppsala, Sweden› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Virginija Luksiene, Ekoagros, Kaunas,
Lithuania

Luxembourg
Source› Land area and operator data: Administration
des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture,
Service de la protection des végétaux,
Luxembourg, www.asta.etat.lu and Eurostat,
Luxembourg› Market data: Oekopolis. Organic shares of total
retail sales were calculated by FiBL using
Eurostat retail sales data
› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Claudine Schmit, Ministère de l’Agriculture, dela Viticulture et de la Protection desconsommateurs, Luxembourg,
www.asta.etat.lu› Aender Schanck, Biogros, Munsbach,www.biogros.lu

Madagascar
Area and producers: Certifier data. Not all
certifiers provided updated data. Ecocert East
Africa› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Malawi
Sources› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

348

Maldives› Area and operator data were not received.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Mali› Area and operators: Certifier data. Tot thisdata, cotton data from the Textile Exchange wereadded.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Malta
Source› Area, operators, livestock, production:
Mediterranean Organic Agriculture Network,
Bari, Italy and Eurostat database, Eurostat,
Luxemburg› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces

Martinique (France)
Source› Agence Bio, Montreuil-sur-Bois, France,
www.agencebio.org

Mauritius
Source› Area, and producers: Ecocert offices in Africa.
www.ecocert.com› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Mayotte (France)
Source› Agence Bio, Montreuil-sur-Bois, France.
www.agencebio.org

MexicoSource› Area and operators: Subdirectora deAutorización y Aprobación de Organismos de
Coadyuvancia, Servicio Nacional de Sanidad,
Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria(SENASICA), Secretaría de Agricultura yDesarrollo Rural (SADER), Ciudad de México,
México. Data were provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact

MoroccoSources› Aurora Josefina Lobato García, Responsable decontrol de productos orgánicos., Servicio
Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad
Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), Secretaría de
Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER),
Ciudad de México, México

› Area and operators (2020): Mediterranean
Organic Agriculture Network (MOAN),
MOAN Secretariat Istituto Agronomico
Mediterraneo di Bari (CIHEAM Bari), Bari,
Italy› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Moldova

Mozambique

Source› Area and operators: Ministry of Agriculture andFood Industry, Chişinău, Moldova› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Marcela Stahi, Head of the Department for
Organic Production and Products of Origin.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of
the Republic of Moldova, Chişinău, Moldova

MonacoCertifier data (2019)

Mongolia› Area, operators, retail sales (2020): Departmentof Coordination for Food Production Policy
Implementation, Ministry of Food Agricultureand Light industry of Mongolia
Contact› Tungalag Davaa, Senior officer, Department of
Coordination for Food Production Policy
Implementation, Ministry of Food Agricultureand Light industry of Mongolia
Note
Please note that the data refer to PGS operations
certified under the governments’ accreditation
system. Historical data are currently revised by
the government.

Montenegro
Source› Area and operators: Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development, Podgorica,
Montenegro and Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market data (from 2010): Ecozept - Market
research and marketing consulting agency.
Freising, Germany› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Milica Bućković, Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Water Management, Podgorica,
Montenegro

Sources
Area and operators: Certifier data
Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Myanmar› Area and operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Namibia› Area and operators: Certifier data. For cotton,
data from the Textile exchange were added.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Nepal
Source› Area and operators: Certifier data werecompiled based on the data of 4 international
certifiers, not all of which provided updated
data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Netherlands
Sources› Land area and operator data: Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg.
› Retail sales and export data: Bionext, Ede, The
Netherlands; the Bionext website,
https://bionext.nl/.
› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA
Contact› Marian Blom, Bionext, Ede, The Netherlands,
www.bionext.nl

New Caledonia
Source› Area and operators: Pacific Organic and Ethical
Trade Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
Contact

Niue› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

SourceNew Zealand
Source› Area, operators, retail Sales: Organics Aotearoa
New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand,www.oanz.org.nz, provided by Agribusinessgroup.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Area (2018): Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade
Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

North Macedonia
Source› Jon Manhire, the AgriBusiness Group,
Christchurch, New Zealand,
www.agribusinessgroup.com› Land area and operator data: Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Wild collection: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Nicaragua

NorwaySourceSources› Area and operators: Instituto de Protección ySanidad Agropecuaria (IPSA), Departamento
de Inspección Certificación Fitosanitaria,
Managua, Nicaragua, www.magfor.gob.ni
Data were provided via Comisión
Interamericana de Agricultura Orgánica
(CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Land area (2019) and operator (2020) data:
Eurostat database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market data (2019) for general retailers:
Norwegian Agriculture Agency(Landbruksdirektoratet), Oslo, Norway, basedon Nielsen data. The total retail sales data werecompiled by FiBL based on data from theNorwegian Agriculture Agency and experts
estimates on further sales channels.
Contact› Ing. Ramón Ernesto Noguera García, Institutode Protección y Sanidad Agropecuaria IPSA,
Departamento de Inspección Certificación
Fitosanitaria, Managua, Nicaragua,
www.magfor.gob.ni› Anders Hellestveit, Norwegian Agriculture
Agency (Landbruksdirektoratet), Oslo,
NorwayNiger› Area and operator data were not received.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Nigeria
Source› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Note
› Producers: Please note that the certifiers did
not provide the total number of producers; inmost cases, only the number ofcompanies/projects/certificates were provided.
The number of producers must therefore beconsiderably higher.
Contact› Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa, University of
Ibadan, Nigeria

Oman
Source› Certifier data

Pakistan› Area and producers: Certifier data. For thenumber of the producers, data from the Textile
Exchange were added› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Palestine, State of› Area for agricultural land, production,
beehives, total wild collection area:
Mediterranean Organic Agriculture Network(MOAN), MOAN Secretariat Istituto
Agronomico Mediterraneo di Bari (CIHEAM
Bari), Bari, Italy› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Panamá
Source› Area and operators (2018): Ministerio deDesarrollo Agropecuario, Dirección Nacional

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
de Sanidad Vegetal, Panama,
www.mida.gob.pa.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Papua New Guinea
Source› Area and operators: Pacific Organic and Ethical
Trade Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

Paraguay
Source› Area and operators: Servicio Nacional deCalidad y Sanidad Vegetal y de Semillas(SENAVE), Department of Organic
Agriculture, Asuncion, Paraguay,www.senave.gov.py Data were provided via
Comisión Interamericana de Agricultura
Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires, Argentina› Grazed non-agricultural land: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Genaro Coronel, Servicio Nacional de Calidad
y Sanidad Vegetal y de Semillas, Departmentof Organic Agriculture, Asuncion, Paraguay,www.senave.gov.py

Perú
Source› Area and number of producers: SENASA.
Producción Orgánica. Lima, Perú. Data were
provided via Comisión Interamericana de
Agricultura Orgánica (CIAO), Buenos Aires,
Argentina› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Marly Cristina López Rengifo, Dirección
General Agrícola (DGA – MINAGRI).
Secretaria Técnica del Consejo Nacional deProductos Orgánicos (CONAPO)

Philippines
Sources
Area and operators: The data were compiled by
FiBL from a number of certifiers, but there are
more certifiers active than those listed below.
Certifiers who provided data (not all with
updates):› CERES-CERT: Frick, Switzerland, www.cerescert.com› Control and Certification for Organic Products
Office (CCPB), Ufficio Attività di Controllo e
Certificazione Prodotti Biologici, Bologna,
www.ccpb.it› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands,
www.controlunion.org;› Ecocert India, Aurangabad, Maharashtra,
India, www.ecocert.com› Kiwa BCS, Nürnberg, Germany, www.bcsoeko.de
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDANote
› A direct year-to-year comparison over theyears is not possible as not all certifiers provide
updates every year.

PolandSource› Land area and producers (2020): Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Retail sales: Biokurier, Bydgoszcz› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA

Portugal
Source› Organic land and operators: Eurostat database,
Luxembourg› Market data (2011): INTERBIO,
http://www.interbio.pt› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA

Puerto Rico
Certifier data (from 2016).

RéunionSource› Agence Bio, Montreuil-sur-Bois, France.
www.agencebio.org

Romania
Sources› Organic area, land use, livestock andproduction: Eurostat database, Luxemburg.
› International trade values (in Euros, from2011): BCG-Global Advisors (2013) Romanian
Organic Sector – Business Insight Booklet.
Global Advisors, Bio-Romania Association,
University of Bucharest. Bucharest 2012
› Retail sales data: Dobrescu, Monica (2017):
Romania: Organic production and market
overview. GAIN Report No. RO 1702. The

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Annex › Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources
USDA FAS website. USDA, Washington. The
data is from 2016.
› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports to the US (MT): GATS/USDA

Sao Tome and Prince

Russian Federation

Saudi Arabia

SourceSource› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Source

The area data was compiled by FiBL based on
the data of the following international certifiers:› Bio.Inspecta, Frick, Switzerland, www.bioinspecta.ch› CERES-CERT, Frick, Switzerland› Ekoagros, Kaunas, Lithuania› Ecoglobe - Organic control and certification
body, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia,
www.ecoglobe.am› LETIS, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina› Organic Standard, Kyiv, Ukraine› Organización Internacional Agropecuaria(OIA), Buenos Aires, Argentina (2019 data)
Market data (retail sales): Prusso, Giuseppe(2019): Il Mercato die Prodotti Bio nella
Federazione Russa. Presentation by Prusso,
Giuseppe of the Italian Trade Agency at Sana,
Bologna, September 6, 2019
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Note
A direct year-to-year comparison over the years
is not possible as not all certifiers provide
updates every year and as certifiers are addedthat were not included previously.

Rwanda› Area and operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDASaint Lucia› Area and operators: Department of Organic
Agriculture (DOA),
http://moa.gov.sa/organice/portale› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Eng. Ayman Saad Al-Ghamdi, General
Manager of Organic Agriculture Department(DOA), Saudi Arabia› Raed Saleh Almusaylim; Manager of Control &Legislation Section, Department of Organic
Production, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Senegal
Sources
Area and operators:› Kiwa BCS, Nürnberg, Germany, www.bcsoeko.de› CERTISYS, Bolline, Belgium, www.certisys.eu› Ecocert, Ouaga, Burkina Faso,
www.ecocert.com
Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Note
No updated data had been received from the
National Federation for Organic Agriculture,Thiès, Sénégal, and their data were removed,with the exception of the number of producers,
as the certifiers only provided the number ofcompanies/projects/certificates.

SerbiaCertifier data

SourceSaint Pierre and Miquelon› Area and operators: Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Water Management, Belgrade,
Republic of Serbia and Eurostat database,Eurostat, Luxembourg› Export (2016) and import value (2012):
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Area and operator data were not received.

Samoa
Source› Area and operators: Pacific Organic and Ethical
Trade Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int› Jelena Milic, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Water Management, Belgrade, Republic of
SerbiaSeychelles› Area and operators: Certifier data

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Annex II: Data Providers and Data Sources› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

South Africa

Sierra Leone

Area and operators› CERES-CERT, Frick, Switzerland› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands,
www.controlunion.org› Ecocert South Africa, Stellenbosch, South
Africa› Kiwa BCS, Nürnberg, Germany, www.bcsoeko.de
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

› Area and operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Please note that one certifier combined the area
for cocoa and coffee; FiBL made an estimate of
how much of this area was for coffee and how
much for cocoa.

Singapore› Area and operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Slovakia
Sources› Area, operators, livestock, and crop production(2020): Eurostat database, Luxemburg› Market data (2010): Ecozept, market research
and marketing consulting agency. Freising,Germany› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces

Slovenia
Sources› Area, operators, livestock, crop production(2020): Eurostat database, Luxemburg› Retail sales (from 2103): Institute for
Sustainable Development, Ljubljana, Slovenia› Marketing channels (from 2009): Institute for
Sustainable Development, Ljubljana, Slovenia› Export and import values (in Euros) are from2009: Institute for Sustainable Development,
Ljubljana, Slovenia› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces

Solomon Islands
Source› Area and operators: Pacific Organic andEthical Trade Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

Somalia› Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Sources

Spain
Sources› Area and land use, operators: Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Retail Sales, export and import value:
Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación(2021) Análisis de la caracterización y proyecciónde la producción ecológica española en 2020.
MAPA, Madrid› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› Exports (MT) to the US: GATS/USDA
Contact› Pedro López, Pro-Voc-Association, Madrid,
Spain, www.provotec.es

Sri Lanka
SourceArea and operators (not from all certifiers
updates were received):› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands,
www.controlunion.org› Ecocert India, Aurangabad, Maharashtra,
India, www.ecocert.com› MAYACERT, Guatemala City, Guatemala› NCO, Stirling Australia
Onecert, Mansarovar, Jaipur, India,
www.onecert.com
Export value (from 2015): Lanka Organic
Movement
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Sudan (former)› Area (wild collection): Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Suriname› Area: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

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SwedenNote

Sources› Please note that a direct year-to-yearcomparison is not possible for Tanzania due tothe changing data sources.

› Area, livestock and operators: Eurostat
database, Luxembourg› Market data: Ekologiska Lantbrukarna,
Ekomatcentrum och Organic Sweden (2022)
Ekologiska Årsrapporten 2021. Stockholm.
https://www.ekolantbruk.se/rapporter?search=%C3%85RSRAPPORT› Import data (MT): European
Commission/Traces› . Exports (MT) to the US: GATS/USDA

Switzerland
Sources› Land area and crop data, producers: Federal
Agency for Statistics (BfS), Neuchatel,
Switzerland.
› Processors: Bio Suisse, Basel, Switzerland› Retail sales: Bio Suisse, Basel, Switzerland,www.biosuisse.ch/de/bioinzahlen.php.
Contact› Helga Willer, FiBL, Frick, Switzerland

Syria› Area or operator data were not received› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

TaiwanSource› Area and operators: Agriculture and Food
Agency, Council of Agriculture, Executive
Yuan, R.O.C. Taiwan. Available athttps://info.organic.org.tw/category/english/sta
tistics/› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Tajikistan
Area and operators: Certifier data. Data onorganic cotton from the Textile exchange wereadded.

Tanzania

ThailandSource› Area, producers, retail sales: Green Net Survey
among the international and domestic
certifiers; Green Net, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand.
Domestic market and international trade data
are from 2014.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Vitoon Panyakul, Green Net, 10330 Bangkok,
Thailand, www.greennet.or.th.

Timor-Leste› Area and operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to the USA: USDA

Togo
Sources
Area and operators: The data was compiled by
FiBL based on the data of the followinginternational certifiers.
› CERES-CERT-Frick, Switzerland› CERTISYS, Bolline, Belgium, www.certisys.eu› Ecocert, Ecocert West Africa, Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso, www.ecocert.com› OneCert international, Jaipur, India› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Tonga
Source› Area and operators (2019): Pacific Organic andEthical Trade Community (POETCom), Suva
Fiji, www.spc.int
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

Tunisia

Sources

SourceArea› Bioinspecta, Frick Switzerland› CERES-CERT. Frick, Switzerland› Control Union, Zwolle, The Netherlands› Ecocert Southern Africa, Stellenbosch, South
Africa› Textile Exchange
Producers (2013): Tanzania Organic Movement(TOAM)
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

› Area and operators : Direction Générale de
L’Agriculture Biologique (DGAB), Tunis,
Tunisia› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact

354› Samia Maamer Belkhiria, Direction Générale
de L’Agriculture Biologique (DGAB), Ministryof Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources, Tunis,
Tunisia

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Turkey (Türkiye)

United Kingdom

SourceSources› Area and operators: Ministry of Agriculture
and Forestry, Ankara, Turkey, and Eurostat
database, Eurostat, Luxembourg› Market data (2014): USDA Foreign
Agricultural Services (2016): Turkish Organic
Market Overview. USDA, Washington, USA.
› Export and import values (2017): Ministry ofAgriculture and Forestry, Ankara, Turkey› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Land use details/crops/operators: DEFRA,
London UK› Market data: Soil Association (2022): Organic
Market Report 2021. Soil Association, Bristol.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contacts› Elif Bayraktar Öktem, Republic of Turkey
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ankara,
TurkeyUgandaSources
Area and operators: Bonabana et al. (2022):
Organic Agriculture Statistics in Uganda.
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

UkraineSources› Area and operator data: Ministry of Agrarian
Policy and Food of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine› Crop data: The data from the Ministry, which
provided data on four major crops (grain maize,soybeans, sunflower, wheat), were
supplemented with crop data from several
international certifiers.
› Domestic market (2021): Organic.Info, Kyiv,
Ukraine, https://organicinfo.ua/en/about-us/(Data excludes retail sales of imported
products)› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA; Total exports:
Organic.Info
Infographics› Infographics with data are available athttps://organicinfo.ua/en/infographics/
Contact› Hanna Voitiuk, The Ministry of Agrarian
Policy and Food of Ukraine

United Arab Emirates› Lee Holdstock, Soil Association, Bristol, UK

United States of America
Source› Land area and producers (2019): United States
Department of Agriculture, Washington, USA.
› Market data: Organic Trade Association (OTA),
Washington D.C., USA› Export and import data: GATS, USDA,
Washington, USA› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Uruguay› Area and operators: Certifier data
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

Uzbekistan› Area and operators: Certifier data and Textile
Exchange, https://textileexchange.org/› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces

Vanuatu
Source› Area and operators: Pacific Organic andEthical Trade Community (POETCom), Suva Fiji,www.spc.int› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Karen Mapusua, Secretariat of the PacificCommunity (SPC), Suva Fiji, www.spc.int

Venezuela
Area and operators: Certifier data.
› Exports (MT)) to USA: GATS/USDA

Viet Nam

SourceSources› Area and operators: Ministry of Environment
and Water (MOEW), United Arab Emirates.
Crop details from certifiers› Exports (MT)) to the USA: USDA

› Area and operators: Vietnam Organic
Agriculture Association, Hanoi, Vietnam.
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA

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Note

Zimbabwe› Please note that for the area and operator
numbers, some PGS figures were included.
Contact

Source› Nguyễn Thị Hồng Ngọc, Vietnam Organic
Agriculture Association, Hanoi, Vietnam

Yemen› No area or operator data was received.
› Exports (MT)) to the USA: USDA

ZambiaSource› Area and operators: Ecocert South Africa,
Stellenbosch, South Africa› Exports (MT)) to EU and USA: European
Commission/Traces, USDA
Contact› Area and operators: Ecocert South Africa,
Stellenbosch, South Africa› Exports (MT)) to EU: European
Commission/Traces
Contact› Daniël Kotzé, Ecocert South Africa,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Note› Please note that data from other sources (datafrom before 2019) were removed from thedatabase back to 2009 as they were notconfirmed, and it was not clear if there were
duplications with the data from the certifiers› Daniël Kotzé, Ecocert South Africa,
Stellenbosch, South Africa

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Annex III: About the FiBL Survey

Annex III: About the FiBL Survey
In total, data were provided by more than 200 experts. Governments, private sector
organizations, certifiers and market research companies have contributed to the datacollection effort.
Several international certifiers deserve special mention as they provided data on several
countries: ACO Certification, Bioinspecta, CCPB, CERES-CERT, Certisys, Control
Union, Ecocert, Mayacert, Ecoglobe, Ekoagros, ICEA, Imocert, Kiwa BCS Oko-Garantie
GmbH, LETIS, NASAA Certified Organic (NCO), Organic Agriculture Certification
Thailand (ACT), Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA), OneCert and Quality
Certification Services (QCS).
Our collaboration with the Inter-American Commission for Organic Agriculture(CIAO) eased data collection in Latin America and the Caribbean substantially. Data
from the Mediterranean countries were supplied by the Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture Network (MOAN, c/o Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari). Data
from the Pacific Islands were provided by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade
Community (POET.com). Another important source covering many countries is
Eurostat. A list of all data sources and contacts is provided in the annex.

Countries covered
Data from 190 countries/territories were available, including area, producers and otheroperators, production, retail sales, international trade, livestock and further indicators.
Updated data was not available for all countries/territories. For the countries/territories
for which FiBL compiles the data among (often several) certifiers, not all of themprovided updated data in all cases. When no new data was available, data from theprevious survey were used.

Indicators covered
Data on the following indicators were collected:
−
−
−
−
−
−

organic area and production including breakdown by crop;
livestock numbers; production data (volumes and values);
producers and further operator types;
domestic market data (total retail sales and food service sales values and volumes,
per capita consumption, share of the total market, and breakdown by product);international trade data (total import and export values and volumes, andbreakdown by product).

Not all data that was collected is published in this book (e.g., production, livestocknumbers, breakdown by product for the domestic market and international trade data)
because it was not possible to draw a complete global picture for these indicators. Moreinformation about the data collection and analysis process is available in our metadata,
which can be found on Organic Eprints https://orgprints.org/36848/.

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Annex III: About the FiBL Survey Annex III: About the FiBL Survey
Definitions/Explanations
Area: Data represents certified organic land that is already fully converted as well as land underconversion because many data sources do not separate or include the latter (for instance, Austria,
Germany and Switzerland) and because land under conversion is under organic management.
For a definition of organic agriculture, see the IFOAM – Organics International website.1
Area share of total agricultural land: In some cases, the calculation of the organic share of thetotal agricultural land or that of individual crops, which in most cases is based on FAOSTAT andin some cases the Eurostat data, might differ from the organic shares obtained from ministries or
local experts.
Producer data: Some countries report the number of smallholders, while others report only the
number of companies, projects, or grower groups, which may each comprise several producers.
This applies in particular to many African countries. The number of producers is, therefore,
probably higher than the number communicated in this report.
Retail sales data: It should be noted that for market and trade data, comparing country statistics
remains very problematic due to differing methods of data collection. Furthermore, for market
and trade values fluctuating exchange rates must be kept in mind.
Export/Import data: For exports and import volumes FiBL used its own classification. It is
working on the harmonisation with the EU and US classification.
PGS: For some countries, areas certified by Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) have been
included as the data providers did not make the distinction between third-party and PGS
certification. (For more information about PGS, see the article by Anselmi and Moura e Castro
et al. on page 157).
Country definitions: For countries and territories, the FAO country list is used. Where thedesignation "country" appears in this report, it covers countries or territories. In most cases,
countries are grouped by region according to the Standard Country and Area Classifications as
defined by the United Nations Statistics Division.
Sources: Data was gathered from private sector organizations, governments, and certification
bodies. For detailed information on the data sources, please check the annex at the end of thisvolume (page 338).
Direct year-to-year comparison: A direct year-to-year comparison is not possible for all data, as
the data sources may change, data may not be provided on an annual basis, data may have beenrevised or corrected due to improved data access, or exchange rates might change from year to
year.
Completeness of data: For some countries, either no current data were available, or the data
provided may not be complete. For others, no data were available. It may, therefore, be assumed
that the extent of organic agriculture is larger than documented in this publication.
Data revisions: Data revisions and corrections are communicated at statistics.fibl.org.

Metadata: Metadata for the FiBL survey on organic agriculture worldwide are available on
Organic Eprints at https://orgprints.org/36848.

The definition of organic agriculture is available at the website of IFOAM – Organics International
www.ifoam.bio/en/organic-landmarks/definition-organic-agriculture
1

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