Currently, 36,680 organic farms are active. This means that one in seven German farms now operates organically. In total, in 2023, 1,888,999 hectares of farmland in Germany were managed organically, which accounts for 11.4 percent of the total farmland. Demand for organic products continues to increase.
This emerges from the latest structural data from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The growth is also visible in the processing industry. In 2023 alone, 495 new organic businesses such as bakeries, dairy factories, and butcheries were added in Germany.
Agriculture State Secretary Dr. Ophelia Nick (Greens), Parliamentary State Secretary of the BMEL, emphasized the importance of transitioning to organic farming, especially in times of uncertainty. "This offers farms and processors a future-proof alternative. As a result, farms remain in the villages, which provides valuable jobs," said Nick.
A study by the German Retail Association (HDE) and the retail research institute IFH shows that more and more consumers are choosing organic products despite higher prices. This is attributed to a greater supply and increased quality awareness among German consumers.