New directions are needed for the further expansion of organic production

According to the latest publication summarizing global and European agricultural trends[1], the agricultural area under organic farming in Hungary was 308,022 hectares in 2024, which accounted for approximately 6.2% of the country’s total utilized agricultural area. In contrast, in 2025, organic farming was already practiced on 430 thousand hectares, which, according to the Central Statistical Office, represented 8.6% of all agricultural land. The expansion is primarily due to the new ÖKO support program starting in 2025, which has led many farmers to turn to organic production again.

According to the 2024 data of FiBL’s annual report on the state of the world’s organic economy, the domestic rate of 6.2% lags behind the European Union’s average of 11.1%. In the European Union, Austria has led the list for many years (27.2%), but the proportion of organic areas is also significant in Estonia (22.5%), Italy (19.2%), the Czech Republic (17.2%) and neighboring Slovakia (14.1%). While the total organic area of ​​the world and Europe decreased overall from 2023 to 2024 – a slight decrease was also observed in Hungary – in absolute terms, there was a significant increase in many parts of the world (Guatemala, USA, China), and within the EU in Romania (+87,399 ha), Italy (+58,965 ha) and Poland (+55,450 ha). In terms of proportions, Bulgaria (+34%), Ireland (+24%) and Luxembourg (+15.7%) showed the most intensive development in the expansion of organic areas.

The EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy set the goal of bringing 25% of European agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. Statistics clearly show that at the current pace – given that the EU average has only grown by 0.7% per year – this target will be difficult to maintain for most Member States. Accelerating the transition will require a greater effort from Member States and the Union.

“The numbers show that the domestic eco-sector has reached an important milestone. In order to significantly expand the size of eco-areas, it is no longer enough to simply encourage production and the conversion of farmers; the market and demand must be significantly expanded,” emphasized Dr. Péter Roszík, CEO of Biokontroll Hungária Kft., in connection with the processes. “As a certification organization, we see the dedication of farmers every day, and our task is to support them as partners in the administrative challenges posed by the strict EU Regulation 2018/848. If a market that is significantly larger than today meets the expertise of Hungarian farmers, it could result in a qualitative step up in the entire domestic agriculture, since the principles and practices of organic farming are not only useful for producers in the organic control and certification system.” ‒ the manager pointed out.

Based on international experience and domestic sectoral analyses, it is worth focusing on three key areas for a new impetus for organic farming:

Strengthening the processing industry: Our country continues to primarily export organic raw materials (grain, industrial plants). According to the report’s 2024 data, there are only 500 certified processors for every 5,452 certified producers in Hungary. The production of high-value-added foods (for example, dry pasta instead of flour) would represent a serious economic breakthrough. It would also be a positive change if the proportion of areas directly suitable for food production within organic areas were to increase, because grasslands are still the determining factor within domestic organic areas (55% according to the report’s 2024 data).

Demand stimulation: Increasing consumer awareness and demand for organically certified products is essential for producers to make it worthwhile to undertake stricter regulations. The data from the report presenting international statistics give reason for optimism: the retail turnover of organic products in Hungary increased by 13.9% from 2023 to 2024. This places it in 2nd place among the countries of the European Union, but it also achieved the 3rd highest growth rate in Europe. However, based on the sales channels and organic products included in the study, the market share of organic products has so far only accounted for 0.6% of the total food and beverage turnover.

Public catering: The introduction of organic products in the expected or guaranteed proportion in the catering of public institutions (schools, hospitals) would be a huge stabilizing force.