With growth of almost 8 percent, sales of organic food broke records in Europe and amounted to 40,7 billion euros in 2018. This means that there has been a doubling of the eco-market in Europe and the EU between 2009 and 2018, according to the latest statistics from FiBL extension, Research Institute for Organic Farming in Switzerland. The EU is thus the second largest market for organic in the world with a turnover of 37,4 billion euros, second only to the United States, whose eco-market amounted to 40,6 billion euros.

Infographic from FiBL

Germany - Largest market in Europe

In Europe, Germany is the largest market for organic food with a value of 10,9 billion euros. France is also characterized by growth of over 15 percent. In Sweden, the share of organic food in total food sales is 9 percent, which places us in third place after Denmark (11,5%) and Switzerland (10%). Sweden also ranks third after Denmark and Switzerland in terms of per capita organic consumption.

Organic farming is increasing in Europe

Organic farmland increased by 1,25 million hectares throughout Europe and by 1 million within the EU. This corresponds to an increase of 8,7 percent. More than 15,6 million hectares of agricultural land in Europe are now organically certified, of which the EU accounts for 13,8 million hectares. The total share of organic agricultural area thus amounts to 3,1 percent in Europe and to 7,7 percent within the EU.

Sweden has 20 percent organic agricultural area

In Europe (and globally), Lichtenstein with its 38,5 percent has the largest share of organic agricultural land, followed by Austria with 24,7 percent. Sweden is in fourth place with 20 percent organic agricultural area. With its 2,2 million hectares, Spain has the largest ecological area in Europe. Then come France and Italy with 2 million hectares each.

Most organic food companies in Italy

The number of organic farmers in Europe increased by 5,4 percent in 2018. Thus, the number of organic farmers amounted to almost 420. Turkey has the largest number of organic farmers with 000 and Italy with 80 organic farmers. The number of organic processing companies amounted to almost 000 in Europe in 69. Italy is also the country with the most organic processing companies, while Germany has the largest share of companies that import organic food.

 Summary

• Eco-sales increased by almost 8% in Europe 2018
• The European eco-market exceeded 40 billion euros
• European consumers are increasingly spending on organic food
• Denmark has the largest eco-share of total food sales with 11,5%
• The share of organic agricultural land increased by 1 million hectares in 2018
• 15,5 million hectares of agricultural land in Europe are ecologically certified
• Spain has the largest organic agricultural area on the surface
• Liechtenstein has the largest share of organic agricultural land
• The number of organic farmers amounts to 420 in Europe - an increase of 000%
• The number of organic processing companies amounts to 76 - most are in Italy