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 Romania rose to 5.46% of total utilised agricultural area (+0.38 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.
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 Romania rose to 14,643 producers (+1,230 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 Romania rose to 15,330 operators (+1,269 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 Romania fell to 489,393 tonnes (-23,158 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 Romania decreased to 270,005 tonnes (-33,405 tonnes y/y), highlighting production constraints in organic wheat cultivation.
Barley
In 2024, organic barley production in Romania increased to 87,709 tonnes (+28,076 tonnes y/y), showing growth in organic barley production as demand for organic malt and feed increases.
Potatoes
In 2024, organic potato production in Romania rose to 1,967 tonnes (+1,502 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 Romania fell to 27,552 tonnes (-7,191 tonnes y/y), reflecting constraints in organic soya cultivation, including climate suitability and technical challenges.
Grapes for Wines
In 2024, organic grape production for wine in Romania fell to 6,589 tonnes (-281 tonnes y/y), highlighting challenges in organic grape production, including disease management and climate sensitivity.
Apples
In 2024, organic apple production in Romania decreased to 5,857 tonnes (-2,599 tonnes y/y). This reflects production challenges in organic apple cultivation, including pest and disease management.
Carrots
In 2024, organic carrot production in Romania decreased to 21 tonnes (-65 tonnes y/y), reflecting production constraints in organic carrot cultivation.
Fresh Vegetables
In 2024, organic fresh vegetable production in Romania decreased to 3,529 tonnes (-6,327 tonnes y/y), highlighting challenges in organic vegetable cultivation, including pest management and yield variability.
Pesticide Sales
In 2023, total pesticide sales in Romania rose to 9,157,103 kg (+1,200,085 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 Romania rose to 30,703 head (+3,312 head y/y). This shows growth in organic cattle farming as demand for organic meat and dairy products increases.
Dairy Cows
In 2024, the number of organic dairy cows in Romania decreased to 16,035 head (-1,102 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 Romania rose to 146 head (+91 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 Romania fell to 29,561 head (-872 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 Romania increased to 54,485 tonnes (+5,666 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 Romania rose to 246 tonnes (+77 tonnes y/y), demonstrating growth in organic beef production as market demand for organic meat increases.
Chicken
In 2023, organic chicken production in Romania increased to 33 tonnes (+33 tonnes y/y). This indicates expansion in organic poultry production as consumer preferences shift toward organic chicken products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Romania's organic farming area currently represents 5.46% of total utilised agricultural area, which is approaching the EU average, showing steady progress in organic farming development.
Romania's organic farming area share of 5.46% 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 Romania include:
- Cereals: 489,393 tonnes
- Common wheat and spelt: 270,005 tonnes
- Barley: 87,709 tonnes
- Potatoes: 1,967 tonnes
- Soya: 27,552 tonnes
- Grapes for wine: 6,589 tonnes
- Apples: 5,857 tonnes
- Carrots: 21 tonnes
- Fresh vegetables: 3,529 tonnes
Organic farming development in Romania 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 Romania'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.