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 Poland increased to 4.35% of total utilised agricultural area (+0.44 p.p. y/y). This indicates continued expansion of organic farming as farmers respond to market opportunities and environmental incentives, supported by EU agricultural policies and growing consumer demand for organic products.
Number of Organic Farms
In 2023, the number of organic farms in Poland increased to 22,354 farms (+1,161 farms y/y). This shows growth in the organic farming sector as more farmers convert to organic production methods, responding to market opportunities and environmental incentives.
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 Poland increased to 23,155 producers (+801 producers y/y). This indicates expansion in organic agricultural production as more farmers adopt organic farming methods and enter the organic market.
All Operators
In 2024, the total number of organic operators in Poland increased to 24,793 operators (+798 operators y/y), demonstrating growth across the entire organic supply chain, from production to processing and trade, as the organic market develops.
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 Poland decreased to 360,420 tonnes (-42,014 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 Poland fell to 53,576 tonnes (-22,023 tonnes y/y), highlighting production constraints in organic wheat cultivation.
Barley
In 2024, organic barley production in Poland rose to 9,671 tonnes (+2,166 tonnes y/y), showing growth in organic barley production as demand for organic malt and feed increases.
Potatoes
In 2024, organic potato production in Poland increased to 28,700 tonnes (+6,263 tonnes y/y). This indicates growing organic potato production as farmers adopt organic methods and market demand increases.
Soya
In 2024, organic soya production in Poland increased to 1,512 tonnes (+202 tonnes y/y), showing expansion in organic soya production as demand for organic protein sources grows, particularly for organic livestock feed.
Grapes for Wines
In 2024, organic grape production for wine in Poland decreased to 604 tonnes (-204 tonnes y/y), highlighting challenges in organic grape production, including disease management and climate sensitivity.
Apples
In 2024, organic apple production in Poland fell to 117,579 tonnes (-8,626 tonnes y/y). This reflects production challenges in organic apple cultivation, including pest and disease management.
Carrots
In 2024, organic carrot production in Poland rose to 8,200 tonnes (+2,087 tonnes y/y), indicating growth in organic carrot production as vegetable growers adopt organic methods.
Fresh Vegetables
In 2024, organic fresh vegetable production in Poland fell to 109,738 tonnes (-32,661 tonnes y/y), highlighting challenges in organic vegetable cultivation, including pest management and yield variability.
Pesticide Sales
In 2024, total pesticide sales in Poland increased to 24,047,433 kg (+4,084,347 kg y/y). This indicates increased pesticide sales, which may reflect expanded agricultural production or challenges in reducing pesticide dependency despite growing organic farming adoption.
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 Poland decreased to 28,801 head (-421 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 Poland fell to 10,074 head (-146 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 Poland decreased to 5,116 head (-27 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 Poland increased to 11,341 head (+6 head y/y), showing expansion in organic sheep farming as demand for organic lamb and wool increases.
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 Poland rose to 33,491 tonnes (+642 tonnes y/y). This shows increased organic milk production as organic dairy farms expand and consumer demand for organic dairy products grows.
Bovine Meat
In 2024, organic bovine meat production in Poland increased to 12 tonnes (+11 tonnes y/y), demonstrating growth in organic beef production as market demand for organic meat increases.
Chicken
In 2023, organic chicken production in Poland amounted to 0 tonnes. .
Frequently Asked Questions
Poland's organic farming area currently represents 4.35% of total utilised agricultural area, which is below the EU average, indicating significant potential for growth in organic farming adoption.
Poland's organic farming area share of 4.35% 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 Poland include:
- Cereals: 360,420 tonnes
- Common wheat and spelt: 53,576 tonnes
- Barley: 9,671 tonnes
- Potatoes: 28,700 tonnes
- Soya: 1,512 tonnes
- Grapes for wine: 604 tonnes
- Apples: 117,579 tonnes
- Carrots: 8,200 tonnes
- Fresh vegetables: 109,738 tonnes
Organic farming development in Poland 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 Poland'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.