The organic market in Sweden grew by 2,5 percent in 2022, according to the Organic Annual Report, which summarizes the development of organic food in Sweden. The organic share of total food sales landed at 8,2 percent. The development looks very different for the different sales channels. Changed consumption habits during the pandemic and high food prices affect the figures the most. The ecological annual report 2022 can be downloaded here.

The Organic Annual Report provides an overall picture of the market for organic food and drink in Sweden. Farm sales of organic food from farmer directly to consumer have increased by 5,9 percent during the year. Organic sales at Systembolaget have decreased in value, but the organic share has increased as the share of conventional drinks has decreased even more. In public kitchens, such as schools and hospitals, the eco share is relatively stable, but the sales value has increased significantly. The same development has taken place in private restaurants. Changed consumption habits during the pandemic explain part of the sales trend. 

 - Despite a demanding year, we see that total organic sales are increasing somewhat, that is positive. Extra gratifying is that sales directly to consumers continue to increase, even if it is still a very small part of eco sales, says Ida Lind, market and sustainability expert at Ekologiska Lantbrukarna. 

The big loss is in the grocery trade, both in value and in volume. A total of SEK 2022 billion worth of food was sold in 309. Of this, 19 billion was organic, which gives an eco share of 6,1 percent (physical stores and e-commerce combined). The negative sales trend for organic food in the trade has an impact on Swedish agriculture. A forecast up to 2024 shows that the organically cultivated agricultural area in 2024 will be 44 hectares less than the peak year of 000.

- Sweden needs to defend its position as one of the countries in the world with the largest share of organic agricultural land. The key lies in collaboration throughout the entire chain, from farmer to store and consumer. Together we can increase commitment to organic food, says Charlotte Bladh André, CEO at Organic Sweden.

However, the organizations behind the report believe that eco-sales must be seen from a larger perspective. If you look at the development over time, the Swedish eco-market is a success story. Organic sales increased by 9 percent per year on average between the years 2004 and 2021. And Sweden is still one of the countries in the world with the highest organic consumption per capita.

- Everyone has been so preoccupied with food prices in 2022, so the benefits of organic food have been overshadowed. Now we have to talk even more about the fact that the production of organic food benefits things like biodiversity and good animal welfare, has less impact on the climate and means that there are less residues of unnatural chemical pesticides in our environment, says Emma Rung, CEO of KRAV.

Key figures from the report 

• In 2022, the organic share of the sales value for food in Sweden was 8,2 percent. 
• In 2022, organic food was sold for a total of 33,6 billion. Compared to 2021, this is an increase of 2,5 percent. 
• In the public sector, private restaurants and in farm sales, the sales value increased in 2022. 
• The trend for the sale of organic food in Swedish grocery stores continues downward. The trend was reinforced in 2022 by rising food prices. 
• In the grocery trade, during 2022, food worth SEK 309 billion was sold. Of this, 19 billion was organic, which gives an organic share of 6,1 percent. 
• During 2022, the organically farmed area in Sweden decreased by approx. 18 hectares, which corresponds to 000 percent.

Behind the Ecological Annual Report is Organic Sweden and Ekologiska Lantbrukarna in association with KRAV, Ekomatcentrum and LRF, as well as with Livsmedelsföretagen in the reference group that is linked to the report.