Global Organic Agriculture Reaches 244 Million Acres; Worldwide Sales Exceed $146B
By Steven Hoffman
The global organic movement stands as a beacon of sustainable agriculture, its enduring strength underscored by the latest data from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM – Organics International. The 26th edition of their seminal yearbook, The World of Organic Agriculture, published in February 2025, reveals a sector characterized by consistent expansion in both cultivated land and economic value. The growth, according to the report, signals not only a recovery from previous market fluctuations but also a powerful, ongoing shift toward ecological farming practices worldwide.
By the close of 2023, a total of 244 million acres (99 million hectares) were managed according to organic standards globally, marking a 2.6% increase and translating to an additional 6.18 million acres compared to the preceding year. This expansion reflects a deepening commitment among farmers and consumers to agricultural systems that prioritize environmental stewardship, animal welfare and human health. The community of organic producers also continued its upward trajectory, reaching 4.3 million dedicated producers who are implementing organic principles on their land.
Latin America and Africa Spearhead Land Conversion
A closer examination of the geographical distribution of organic land reveals compelling regional stories of growth and adoption. Latin America has emerged as a key driver of expansion in terms of sheer acreage, adding 2.47 million acres to its organic land base, representing significant 10.8% growth. This surge can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including increasing consumer demand in both domestic and international markets, supportive government policies in some nations, and a growing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of organic farming, according to the report.
Africa, while starting from a smaller base, demonstrated the most dynamic relative growth in organic land, with a 24% increase, bringing its total organic farmland to 8.4 million acres. The growth underscores an increasing recognition of organic agriculture's potential to address critical challenges in the region, such as enhancing food security through resilient farming systems, adapting to climate change impacts, and empowering local communities with sustainable livelihoods. Also, the adoption of organic practices in Africa is often intertwined with traditional farming knowledge and a strong connection to agroecological principles.
Oceania and Europe Maintain Strong Footprints
Oceania, dominated by Australia's extensive organic rangelands, continues to hold its position as the region with the largest total area of organic land, boasting 131.4 million acres, accounting for over half of the global organic area. While the pace of growth in Oceania might be more moderate compared to other regions, its sheer scale highlights the long-standing presence and significance of organic farming in this part of the world.
Europe also remains a vital hub for organic agriculture. In 2023, 10.9% of the total farmland in the European Union was organically farmed, encompassing 43.7 million acres (17.7 million hectares). This represents a 3.6% increase in organic farmland within the EU, indicating the continued progress towards the goals outlined in the EU's Farm to Fork strategy, which aims for 25% of agricultural land to be organic by 2030. The EU also boasts a community of nearly 435,000 organic producers, marking a 1.8% increase, further solidifying the sector's strong foundation within the continent.
The retail market for organic products in the EU reached $49.75 billion (46.5 billion euros), demonstrating 2.9% growth, equivalent to an increase of $1.28 billion (1.2 billion euros). European consumers spent an average of $111.28 (104 euros) per person on organic food in 2023, reflecting a strong and growing consumer base. Within the EU, Spain holds the largest area of organic farmland with 7.4 million acres (3.0 million hectares), while Austria leads in terms of organic share, with an impressive 27.3% of its agricultural land managed organically.
Latin America rounds out the top three regions globally with 25.4 million acres under organic management, showcasing the diverse adoption of organic practices across the continent, from coffee and cocoa production to fruits and vegetables.
Country-Level Leadership: Australia, India and Argentina Lead in Acreage
On a national scale, Australia’s vast organic rangelands continue to position it as the leader in total organic land area, with 130.9 million acres. India, with its large number of small-scale farmers increasingly embracing organic methods, holds the second position with 11.1 million acres. Argentina, with its significant production of organic grains and livestock, follows closely with 9.88 million acres.
Smaller Nations Demonstrate Deep Commitment
When considering the proportion of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming, smaller nations often demonstrate the most profound commitment. Liechtenstein stands out with an impressive 44.6% of its agricultural land managed organically, showcasing a deep-rooted and longstanding national priority for ecological agriculture. Austria follows with 27.3% and Uruguay with 25.4%. Globally, 2.1% of all agricultural land is now farmed organically, a figure that, while seemingly small, represents a significant increase over time and highlights the potential for further expansion. The fact that 22 countries have now surpassed the milestone of having 10% or more of their agricultural land under organic management signifies a notable adoption of organic principles in these nations.
India's Dominance Reflects Agrarian Structure
The global community of organic producers reached 4.3 million in 2023, a testament to the growing number of farmers choosing to adopt ecological farming methods. India continues to be home to the largest number of organic producers, with an astounding 2.36 million individuals. This dominance reflects India's agrarian structure, characterized by a large number of small-scale farms, and the increasing adoption of organic practices as a way to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture. Significant increases in organic producer numbers were also observed in Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Burkina Faso, highlighting the diverse contexts in which organic farming is taking root and flourishing.
Global Sales Exceed $146 Billion
The global market for organic products continued its robust growth trajectory, reaching a value of $146 billion in 2023. This figure underscores the strong and growing consumer demand for organic food and beverages worldwide, driven by increasing awareness of health benefits, environmental concerns, and a desire for more transparent and sustainable food systems. The European market experienced a significant rebound, recovering from earlier fluctuations and demonstrating the resilience of consumer demand for organic options in the region, according to FiBL and IFOAM.
United States, Germany and China Remain Market Leaders
The U.S. remains the single largest market for organic products, with a market value of $63.13 billion. Germany holds the second position with $17.23 billion, followed by China with $13.48 billion. These three countries represent the largest consumer markets for organic goods, highlighting the significant economic impact of the sector in these regions.
Switzerland and Denmark Lead the Way in Per Capita Consumption
When examining per capita consumption, Switzerland emerges as the global leader, with an average spending of $500.76 per person on organic food. Denmark showcases the highest organic market share, with 11.8% of its total food market comprised of organic products, indicating a deep integration of organic choices into the national food culture.
Significant retail sales growth in Estonia (+13.0%) and the Netherlands (+12.5%) points to the increasing dynamism of organic markets in various European countries. Even the largest markets, the U.S. and Germany, experienced healthy growth rates of 3.4% and 5.0%, respectively, further solidifying the mainstream appeal and long-term growth potential of organic products.
A Sustainable Trajectory: Organic Agriculture's Continued Expansion
The comprehensive data presented in The World of Organic Agriculture provides compelling evidence that organic farming is not merely a niche trend but a significant and expanding force in global agriculture. The consistent growth in both cultivated land and market value, coupled with the increasing number of dedicated producers, underscores the fundamental strength and resilience of the organic sector. The dynamic growth observed in regions like Africa and the steady progress within the European Union further highlight the global momentum behind ecological and sustainable agricultural practices.
As the world grapples with the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and the imperative to build more resilient and equitable food systems, organic agriculture offers a viable and increasingly recognized pathway forward. The information presented by FiBL and IFOAM – Organics International, supported by key organizations and drawing upon data from a vast network of contributors, not only quantifies the current state of the organic sector but also provides valuable insights into its future potential and its crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future for food and agriculture worldwide.
Download the 26th annual The World of Organic Agriculture here.