According to Eurostat, the area used for organic farming in the EU continues to grow, reaching 16.9 million hectares (ha) in 2022, up from 15.9 million ha in 2021 and 14.7 million ha in 2020.

In 2022, the area used for organic farming was equivalent to 10.5% of the total utilized agricultural area (UAA) in the EU.

Between 2012 and 2022, the area used for organic farming increased in almost all EU countries. The strongest rates of expansion during this period were in Croatia (+306%), Portugal (278%), and Bulgaria (182%).

The highest shares of organic farming areas in the total UAA were in Austria (27%), Estonia (23%), and Sweden (20%). In contrast, the share of organic farming was below 5% in 5 EU countries in 2022, with the lowest shares in Malta (under 1%), Bulgaria, and Ireland (both 2%).

Details in the chart in the opening image.