The global appetite for organic products continued its robust growth trajectory, as highlighted in the 2015 edition of the FiBL-IFOAM study “The World of Organic Agriculture.” This insightful report, based on data from the end of 2013, reveals a significant 11.5% surge in the US organic market, underscoring the increasing consumer demand worldwide. The study paints a picture of expansion across the board, with more farmers embracing organic cultivation, an increase in certified organic land, and a growing number of countries – 170, up from 164 – actively involved in organic farming.
This positive global trend is clearly reflected in the market figures. Market research company Organic Monitor’s estimations placed the global market for organic products at a staggering 72 billion US dollars in 2013. To put this into a European context, this figure translates to approximately 55 billion euros, based on the exchange rates of that period. This substantial market value underscores the increasing economic importance of the organic sector on a global scale.
Alternative text: Distribution of global organic agricultural land by continent in 2013, showing Oceania leading followed by Europe and Latin America.
Breaking down the 72 billion US dollar figure, the United States emerged as the dominant single market, accounting for 24.3 billion euros. Europe also demonstrated strong engagement with organic products, with Germany and France holding the second and third positions globally, with market values of 7.6 billion euros and 4.4 billion euros respectively. Notably, 2013 marked the first year that official market data was available for China, positioning it as the fourth largest organic market worldwide, with a value of 2.4 billion euros. When examining per capita spending, Switzerland and Denmark led the way, with consumers spending 210 euros and 163 euros per person on organic products, respectively.
Markus Arbenz, executive director of IFOAM – Organics International, expressed his enthusiasm about these positive developments, stating, “We are very pleased to see the recent excellent growth worldwide. The positive environmental, social and economic impacts of the sector in the global South and North confirm the sector’s importance as a lighthouse.” This growth not only signifies consumer preference shifts but also highlights the broader positive impacts of organic agriculture.
Alternative text: Global number of organic producers from 2000 to 2013, illustrating a steady increase to reach two million producers in 2013.
The expansion of the organic sector is further evidenced by the increasing number of organic producers. In 2013, the world reached a new peak of two million organic producers. India, Uganda, and Mexico stood out as the countries with the highest numbers of organic farmers, with 650,000, 189,610, and 169,703 producers respectively. This signifies a widespread adoption of organic farming practices across diverse geographical regions.
Alternative text: Worldwide growth trend of organic agricultural land area from 2000 to 2013, demonstrating significant expansion to 43.1 million hectares.
In terms of land use, organic farmland reached 43.1 million hectares by the end of 2013, marking an impressive growth of almost 6 million hectares compared to the previous year. Oceania experienced the most significant regional increase, with a 42% expansion primarily due to Australia’s rangelands transitioning to organic production. Australia holds the largest organic agricultural area globally at 17.2 million hectares, followed by Argentina and the United States. Oceania accounts for 40% of the world’s organic agricultural land, with Europe and Latin America following behind.
Furthermore, the study revealed that in eleven countries, organic land constitutes more than 10% of the total farmland. The Falkland Islands, Liechtenstein, and Austria lead in this metric, showcasing significant national commitments to organic agriculture.
In conclusion, the data from 2013, encapsulated in the 72 billion US dollar global organic market value (approximately 55 billion euros), paints a compelling picture of a thriving and expanding sector. Driven by consumer demand and increased producer participation, organic agriculture is solidifying its position as a significant force in the global economy and a contributor to sustainable agricultural practices. These statistics, compiled by FiBL and IFOAM, provide valuable insights into the trends shaping the organic world.
