Organic farming area expands sharply in Ireland

New data from Eurostat shows a steep increase in the area under organic farming in Ireland. The jump breaks with earlier, slower growth and pushes the indicator to a new record high.

Organic land share almost doubles in a year

According to Eurostat, the area under organic farming in Ireland reached 4.26% of agricultural land in 2023. This was up from 2.2% in 2022, a rise of just over 2 percentage points, or nearly 94% year on year. The latest reading marks a significant increase in Ireland’s organic share.

New peak above long‑run norms

The 2023 value stands well above Ireland’s long‑run average of around 1.35%, extending a generally rising trend that began from levels below 1% in the early 2000s. The new record suggests organic production is moving from a marginal niche toward a more visible component of Irish agriculture, with potential implications for farmers, supply chains and consumers who seek certified organic food.

Key Statistics

Current value4.3 (2023)
Previous value2.2 (2022)
Change+93.6% (+2.1)
Long-run average1.3 (2000–2023)
Recent average2.4 (last 5 periods)
Historical high4.3 (2023)
Historical low0.6 (2000)
Long-term trendgenerally rising