The countries with the biggest share of organic farmland in 2018 were Austria (24.1% of total utilised agricultural area), Estonia (20.6%) and Sweden (20.3%). They were followed by Italy (15.2%), Czech Republic (14.8%), Latvia (14.5%), Finland (13.1%) and Slovenia (10%).

In the remaining EU member states, the share of organic area was below 10%, with the lowest proportions observed in Malta (0.4%), Romania (2.4%), Bulgaria, Ireland and the United Kingdom (each with 2.6%).

The total organic area in the EU was 13.4 million hectares in 2018, corresponding to 7.5% of the total utilised agricultural area. This represents an increase of 34% between 2012 and 2018.

According to Eurostat, the total organic area is the sum of the ‘area under conversion’ and the ‘certified area’. Before an area can be certified as ‘organic’, it must undergo a conversion process, which may take 2 to 3 years depending on the crop.

Organic farming is a form of farming which uses organic production methods and places the highest emphasis on environmental and wildlife protection and, with regard to livestock production, on animal welfare considerations.

Source: Cyprus Mail