We already know the organic market is growing faster than most markets. The news are full of reports and optimistic forecasts. Optimism is good, but let’s see some numbers:
World:
- Global market value: $54.9 billion in 2009, up from, $50.9 billion in 2008
- Acreage managed organically in 2009 in the world: 37.2 million hectares
- Countries with the largest area of organically managed land: Australia (12 million hectares), Argentina (4.4 million hectares), and the United States (1.9 million hectares).
- The largest increase in organic agricultural land: Europe, 1 million hectares growth.
- The greatest share of organic agricultural land: Oceania (33%), Europe (25%), Latin America (23%)
- Countries with the largest share of organic agricultural land: Falkland Islands (35.7 %), Liechtenstein (26.9 %), Austria (18.5 %)
- Countries with the largest markets for organic food are the United States (17.8 billion euros), Germany (5.8 billion euros), and France (3 billion euros).
- The highest per capita consumption is in Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria (more than 130 euros per year)
US:
- Organic market value in 2010: $29 billion (8% growth rate from 2009)
- Highest growth: the sales of organic fruits and vegetables – a 11.8% increase to $10.6 billion
- Organic dairy market: 9% growth to a value of $3.9 billion
- Organic clothing and linen market: $605 million and 16% growth.
- Personal care products: $490 million, 6.6% growth
- Certified organic cropland: 4.8 million acres in 2008 which is 0.7% of all U.S. cropland
Europe
- Organic market value: 18.4 billion euros in 2009, 5% growth from the previous year
- Countries with the largest organic markets in 2009: Germany (5.8 billion euros), France (3 billion euros), United Kingdom (2.1 billion euros).
- Countries with the highest share of agricultural land: Liechtenstein (26.9%), Austria (18.5%), Sweden (12.6%), Switzerland (10.8%)
- Total organic agricultural land (2009): 9.3 million hectares, representing 4.7% of the total agricultural land
Sources:
Organic Trade Association
FiBL
The World of Organic Agriculture 2011: Graphs and Maps
Organic Agriculture in Europe 2009: Production and Market
FiBL-Organic farming in Europe
