Introduction
Organic farming represents a growing segment of modern agriculture. Organic farming refers to agricultural production methods that avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms, focusing instead on natural processes and biodiversity. The share of organic farming area in total utilised agricultural area reflects the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and alignment with European Union environmental and food safety policies.
Organic farming has been expanding in recent years, driven by consumer demand for organic products, environmental concerns, and EU support programs. Understanding these trends helps assess progress toward sustainable agriculture goals, market development opportunities, and the environmental impact of farming practices.
Data come from Eurostat's organic farming statistics, which compile harmonised data from national certification bodies and statistical offices across EU member states. These data are updated annually and provide comprehensive coverage of organic farming area, production, and certification trends.
Organic Farming Area
In 2023, the share of organic farming area in Estonia decreased to 22.8% of total utilised agricultural area (-0.62 p.p. y/y). This reflects challenges in organic farming adoption, including conversion costs, market access barriers, and technical support needs.
Organic Operators
Organic operators include all entities involved in the organic supply chain, from agricultural producers to processors, importers, and exporters. The number of operators reflects the development and maturity of the organic sector infrastructure.
Agricultural Producers
In 2024, the number of organic agricultural producers in Estonia decreased to 1,887 producers (-81 producers y/y). This reflects barriers to organic farming adoption, including technical challenges and market access constraints.
All Operators
In 2024, the total number of organic operators in Estonia decreased to 2,270 operators (-71 operators y/y), highlighting challenges in building a comprehensive organic sector infrastructure.
Organic Crop Production
Organic crop production encompasses a diverse range of agricultural products, from cereals and grains to fruits and vegetables. The following sections provide detailed insights into specific crop categories, highlighting production volumes, trends, and the development of organic cultivation practices across different crop types.
Cereals
In 2024, organic cereal production in Estonia decreased to 75,662 tonnes (-7,586 tonnes y/y). This reflects challenges in organic cereal production, including yield variability and pest management without synthetic inputs.
Common Wheat and Spelt
In 2024, organic common wheat and spelt production in Estonia fell to 16,800 tonnes (-2,688 tonnes y/y), highlighting production constraints in organic wheat cultivation.
Barley
In 2024, organic barley production in Estonia fell to 1,298 tonnes (-1,720 tonnes y/y), reflecting production challenges in organic barley cultivation.
Potatoes
In 2024, organic potato production in Estonia decreased to 1,116 tonnes (-195 tonnes y/y). This reflects production challenges in organic potato cultivation, including disease management and yield stability.
Grapes for Wines
In 2024, organic grape production for wine in Estonia increased to 5 tonnes (+3 tonnes y/y), demonstrating growth in organic viticulture as wine producers respond to consumer demand for organic wines and sustainable production methods.
Apples
In 2024, organic apple production in Estonia rose to 459 tonnes (+94 tonnes y/y). This shows increased organic apple production as orchard management techniques improve and market demand grows.
Carrots
In 2024, organic carrot production in Estonia fell to 69 tonnes (-27 tonnes y/y), reflecting production constraints in organic carrot cultivation.
Fresh Vegetables
In 2024, organic fresh vegetable production in Estonia fell to 457 tonnes (-22 tonnes y/y), highlighting challenges in organic vegetable cultivation, including pest management and yield variability.
Pesticide Sales
In 2022, total pesticide sales in Estonia amounted to 777,074 kg. .
Organic Livestock
Organic livestock farming represents an important component of the organic agriculture sector, encompassing various animal species raised according to organic standards. The following sections detail the numbers of different organic livestock categories, reflecting the development of organic animal husbandry practices and market demand for organic animal products.
Bovine Animals
In 2024, the number of organic bovine animals in Estonia decreased to 38,988 head (-3,317 head y/y). This reflects challenges in organic cattle production, including higher feed costs and certification requirements.
Dairy Cows
In 2024, the number of organic dairy cows in Estonia fell to 1,923 head (-24 head y/y), highlighting constraints in organic dairy farming, including feed availability and animal welfare standards.
Swine
In 2024, the number of organic swine in Estonia decreased to 586 head (-84 head y/y). This reflects production challenges in organic pig farming, including disease management and outdoor access requirements.
Sheep
In 2024, the number of organic sheep in Estonia decreased to 20,483 head (-4,583 head y/y), reflecting production constraints in organic sheep farming.
Organic Animal Products
Organic animal product production includes a range of products derived from organic livestock, such as milk, meat, and eggs. These products meet strict organic certification standards, ensuring animal welfare, natural feed, and sustainable farming practices. The following sections provide detailed information on specific organic animal product categories.
Raw Milk
In 2024, organic raw milk production in Estonia fell to 8,344 tonnes (-521 tonnes y/y). This reflects challenges in organic milk production, including feed costs and processing capacity.
Bovine Meat
In 2024, organic bovine meat production in Estonia increased to 3,213 tonnes (+418 tonnes y/y), demonstrating growth in organic beef production as market demand for organic meat increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estonia's organic farming area currently represents 22.8% of total utilised agricultural area, which exceeds the EU average, demonstrating strong commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Estonia's organic farming area share of 22.8% compares to other European countries as follows:
- Austria: 25.69%
- Sweden: 18.44%
- Italy: 18.78%
- Germany: 11.16%
- France: 9.68%
- Czechia: 16.2%
- Hungary: 6.3%
The main organic crops produced in Estonia include:
- Cereals: 75,662 tonnes
- Common wheat and spelt: 16,800 tonnes
- Barley: 1,298 tonnes
- Potatoes: 1,116 tonnes
- Grapes for wine: 5 tonnes
- Apples: 459 tonnes
- Carrots: 69 tonnes
- Fresh vegetables: 457 tonnes
Organic farming development in Estonia is influenced by several factors:
- Market demand: Growing consumer interest in organic products and willingness to pay premium prices
- EU support: Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments and organic farming subsidies
- Environmental policies: EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy targets for organic farming expansion
- Technical support: Extension services, training programs, and knowledge transfer for organic farming methods
- Market infrastructure: Development of organic supply chains, processing facilities, and retail networks
Organic Farming in Other Countries
Compare Estonia's organic farming results with other European countries to explore broader regional trends.
Methodology and Data Sources
All charts and indicators update automatically based on Eurostat's annual organic farming statistics, typically released approximately 12-18 months after the reference year once national certification bodies and statistical offices publish their final results. The data are derived from organic farming certification records and agricultural surveys, harmonised to ensure comparability across EU member states. The organic farming area share is calculated as the percentage of total utilised agricultural area that is either fully converted to organic farming or currently under conversion, while organic crop production data reflect actual production volumes from certified organic farms.
Pesticide sales data come from Eurostat's agricultural environmental indicators, which track the volume of pesticides sold annually. Organic livestock and animal product data are compiled from organic farming certification records and livestock surveys, providing comprehensive coverage of organic animal production across EU member states.