Organic farming

Organic farming is a particularly resource-conserving and environmentally friendly farming system based on the principle of sustainability. With a turnover of 15.87 billion euro in the year 2021, Germany remains the largest market for organic food in Europe.

All organic products produced and sold in the European Union (EU) are governed by the standards defined in EU legislation and are controlled accordingly. Products of this type are labelled with the German organic production logo, which provides reliable guidance for consumers in this area. Moreover, some German organic production associations have standards linked to their own label that even go beyond those prescribed by EU law.

In their coalition agreement for the 20th legislative term, the ruling parties agreed on the target of expanding the proportion of organically farmed land to 30% of the entire agricultural area in Germany by 2030.

The "Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming", which was presented to the public in early-2017, is intended to be developed further into a Federal Government strategy. This will help achieve the 30% goal and further improve the general conditions for agricultural holdings that work according to organic production standards and for other market participants along the entire value chain.

The aim is to improve productivity, to decrease the costs of logistics and distribution and to satisfy consumers’ expectations regarding the special quality, provenance and price of organic products.

The most important funding instrument for implementing these goals is the Federal Organic Farming Scheme (BÖL). Within the scope of the annual Federal Organic Farming Competition, the BMEL honours organic farms that achieve particular success using unusual, innovative or pioneering ideas.

Overview of topics

2030 Organic Strategy - National Strategy for 30 % Organic Food and Farming by 2030

30 measures for 30 % organic production by 2030: On 16 November 2023, Federal Minister Cem Özdemir presented his ministry's (BMEL) 2030 Organic Strategy in Berlin.

Cover of the 2030 Organic Strategy that illustrates the entire value chain.

Boosting organic farming: developing the 2030 Organic Strategy

Organic farming is the German Federal Government’s guiding principle for ensuring a sustainable agricultural sector. This is why, in their coalition agreement, the ruling parties agreed to aim to have 30% of agricultural land in Germany farmed organically by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to eliminate the barriers that, at present, impede the production, processing and consumption of, as well as the trade in, organic food. Furthermore, it is essential to facilitate the transformation towards organic farming and to foster a sound market development by means of targeted support programmes that aim to stimulate both demand and supply.

Drei Personen arbeiten gemeinsam an einem Projekt

Controls in organic farming

Just like conventional products, organic products must comply with the provisions applicable under food and feed law. They are examined within the scope of the control mechanisms envisaged there.