What European country spends the most on organic food?

Swiss consumers spend the most on organic food in Europe, with spend of €437 per capita in 2023, according to new data from FiBL, the research institute for organic agriculture.

This is followed by Denmark, where consumers spend €362 on organic food per capita on an annual basis.

Across Europe, the average spend on organic food per capita stands at €66, or €104 in the European Union, with consumer spending on organic food per capita doubling in the decade from 2014 to 2023, the data showed.

Retail sales of organic products in Europe totalled €54.7 billion in 2023, of which €46.5 billion was spent in the European Union. Germany boasts the largest organic retail market in Europe, valued at €16.1 billion.

Organic growth

‘The European Union’s organic area continued to grow steadily in 2023, reaching 17.7 million hectares, which accounts for 10.9% of the total farmland,’ FiBL noted. ‘Retail sales experienced a growth of 3.6% in the EU.’

Other findings from the data indicate that Liechtenstein had the highest share of organic farmland globally, with 44.6% of its agricultural land dedicated to organic farming.

Denmark leadership

Elsewhere, Denmark maintained its position as the country with the highest organic market share in the world, at 11.8%, followed closely by Switzerland on 11.6%.

“We are proud that our long-standing efforts to promote organics in Europe’s most important markets are bearing fruit,” commented Dennis Hvam, international market director at the Danish Organic Association. “As a pioneer country, we have inspired consumers, retailers and foodservice to work with organics – clear proof that organics are the future.” Read more here and here.