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 Finland fell to 13.52% of total utilised agricultural area (-1.5 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 Finland fell to 4,058 producers (-274 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 Finland fell to 4,181 operators (-725 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 Finland fell to 139,770 tonnes (-1,680 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 Finland decreased to 13,780 tonnes (-3,790 tonnes y/y), highlighting production constraints in organic wheat cultivation.
Barley
In 2024, organic barley production in Finland increased to 14,880 tonnes (+1,760 tonnes y/y), showing growth in organic barley production as demand for organic malt and feed increases.
Potatoes
In 2024, organic potato production in Finland fell to 5,710 tonnes (-2,690 tonnes y/y). This reflects production challenges in organic potato cultivation, including disease management and yield stability.
Apples
In 2024, organic apple production in Finland increased to 205 tonnes (+135 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 Finland increased to 2,471 tonnes (+307 tonnes y/y), indicating growth in organic carrot production as vegetable growers adopt organic methods.
Fresh Vegetables
In 2024, organic fresh vegetable production in Finland increased to 4,660 tonnes (+674 tonnes y/y), showing expansion in organic vegetable production as consumer demand for organic produce increases.
Pesticide Sales
In 2023, total pesticide sales in Finland fell to 3,251,065 kg (-76,208 kg y/y). This reflects continued reliance on conventional pesticides, highlighting the need for further support for organic farming transition and sustainable agricultural practices.
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 Finland fell to 77,450 head (-5,938 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 Finland decreased to 7,490 head (-1,551 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 Finland rose to 3,471 head (+377 head y/y). This indicates growth in organic pig farming as farmers respond to market opportunities for organic pork products.
Sheep
In 2024, the number of organic sheep in Finland fell to 26,062 head (-4,753 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 Finland decreased to 66,575 tonnes (-6,804 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 Finland rose to 3,685 tonnes (+135 tonnes y/y), demonstrating growth in organic beef production as market demand for organic meat increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finland's organic farming area currently represents 13.52% of total utilised agricultural area, which exceeds the EU average, demonstrating strong commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Finland's organic farming area share of 13.52% 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 Finland include:
- Cereals: 139,770 tonnes
- Common wheat and spelt: 13,780 tonnes
- Barley: 14,880 tonnes
- Potatoes: 5,710 tonnes
- Apples: 205 tonnes
- Carrots: 2,471 tonnes
- Fresh vegetables: 4,660 tonnes
Organic farming development in Finland 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 Finland'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.