Organic Acreage

The results of this year's study The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2007 were presented at the world’s largest trade fair for organic products, BioFach 2007.

The study shows that nearly 31 million hectares are currently certified according to organic standards.  Australia continues to account for the largest certified organic surface area, with 11.8 million hectares, followed by Argentina (3.1 million hectares), China (2.3 million hectares) and the USA (1.6 million hectares).  The most significant portion of global organic surface area is in Oceania (39%), followed by Europe (23%) and Latin America (19%).  In terms of the certified organic agriculture as a proportion of all arable agricultural surface area, the Alpine countries, such as Austria with more than 14%, top the statistics.  Dr. Helga Willer and Minou Yussefi, who have headed up the study for the last eight years, emphasize that the growth exhibited in the USA (more than 400,000 hectares) and certain European countries (more than 110,000 hectares in Italy and 85,000 hectares in Poland) has been the most noteworthy.

In addition to the certified organic arable land, nearly 62 million hectares are currently certified to organic standards for the collection of wild product, according to research by the International Trade Center (ITC).  The global market for organic products reached a value of 25.5 billion euros in 2005, with the vast majority of products being consumed in North America and Europe, according to the market research experts of Organic Monitor.  For 2006, the value of global markets is estimated to be at more than 30 billion euros.  Healthy growth rates are expected to continue in the coming years. Angela B. Caudle, IFOAM Executive Director, suggests that the ever-growing demand for organic products offers attractive opportunities for producers - especially those in developing countries.  (IFOAM Press Release, 2/14/07).