Organic farmers in Austria: upswing to Delle-future prospects radiant!

Organic farmers in Austria: upswing to Delle-future prospects radiant!

A dramatic decline of 1,000 organic farmers in Austria is the focus of the discussion about organic farming. Barbara Riegler, the chairwoman of Bio Austria, gives various reasons for this decline, including non-competitive conditions as part of the new EU agricultural support period since 2023 and stricter regulations for pasture farming. Despite these challenges, a “Rollama survey” initiated by the Lower Austrian Ministry of Agriculture shows that the sales of organic food in the 2024 grocery store has already increased by 0.5 percentage points to 13 percent, which indicates a stabilizing trend, as well as Boelw.de reported.

Austria is considered a pioneer in organic farming with a bio-operating share of 23 percent in 2024 and an ecological area of 27.3 percent. With their own brand strategy, the domestic supermarket chains strongly attract organic demand, which leads to a considerable increase in sales. The SPAR's own brand "Natur*PUR" in 2024 achieved a sales increase of 8.3 percent. This development is not only limited to supermarkets; Organic producers such as Sonnentor and Zotter also grow and expand their reach. Sonnentor's sales are expected to increase by 5 percent to 80 million euros in the 2024/25 financial year, as reported. Apa

sales increase in the organic industry

The German organic food sales increased by 5 percent to 16.1 billion euros in 2023, and the proportion of ecologically managed areas in the country also increases continuously. Overall economy, organic farmers thus significantly contribute to environmental and climate protection by refraining from chemical-synthetic pesticides. With a total inflation rate of 9 percent in 2023, organic food remained only 5 percent more expensive and thus set a strong sign in the industry, such as Boelw.de informed.

industry representatives continue to see potential to increase organic quotas in gastronomy and public procurement. The focus on organic products is to be expanded in the future in order to meet the growing demand and climate protection. Riegler emphasizes: "The Austrian legislature must create the framework that is bought biologically." It remains to be seen how the developments will be on the organic market, since new political challenges are due in both Germany and Austria.