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 Sweden decreased to 18.44% 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 Sweden decreased to 3,995 producers (-883 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 Sweden decreased to 6,735 operators (-671 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 Sweden decreased to 242,800 tonnes (-28,500 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 Sweden fell to 95,000 tonnes (-39,200 tonnes y/y), highlighting production constraints in organic wheat cultivation.
Barley
In 2024, organic barley production in Sweden rose to 45,500 tonnes (+4,400 tonnes y/y), showing growth in organic barley production as demand for organic malt and feed increases.
Potatoes
In 2024, organic potato production in Sweden decreased to 27,500 tonnes (-3,900 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 Sweden decreased to 55 tonnes (-34 tonnes y/y), highlighting challenges in organic grape production, including disease management and climate sensitivity.
Apples
In 2024, organic apple production in Sweden fell to 2,151 tonnes (-36 tonnes y/y). This reflects production challenges in organic apple cultivation, including pest and disease management.
Carrots
In 2024, organic carrot production in Sweden rose to 16,702 tonnes (+863 tonnes y/y), indicating growth in organic carrot production as vegetable growers adopt organic methods.
Fresh Vegetables
In 2024, organic fresh vegetable production in Sweden rose to 42,394 tonnes (+1,101 tonnes y/y), showing expansion in organic vegetable production as consumer demand for organic produce increases.
Pesticide Sales
In 2024, total pesticide sales in Sweden increased to 2,033,643 kg (+649 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 Sweden decreased to 258,661 head (-30,663 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 Sweden fell to 34,629 head (-7,603 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 Sweden decreased to 18,291 head (-5,011 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 Sweden decreased to 79,997 head (-10,265 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 Sweden fell to 295,240 tonnes (-66,080 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 Sweden decreased to 16,221 tonnes (-2,517 tonnes y/y), highlighting production constraints in organic beef farming.
Chicken
In 2024, organic chicken production in Sweden fell to 1,033 tonnes (-17 tonnes y/y). This reflects challenges in organic poultry farming, including feed costs and outdoor access requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden's organic farming area currently represents 18.44% of total utilised agricultural area, which exceeds the EU average, demonstrating strong commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Sweden's organic farming area share of 18.44% 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 Sweden include:
- Cereals: 242,800 tonnes
- Common wheat and spelt: 95,000 tonnes
- Barley: 45,500 tonnes
- Potatoes: 27,500 tonnes
- Grapes for wine: 55 tonnes
- Apples: 2,151 tonnes
- Carrots: 16,702 tonnes
- Fresh vegetables: 42,394 tonnes
Organic farming development in Sweden 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 Sweden'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.