Consumption and Land Use
Organic consumption and agricultural land use in Denmark.
Organic consumption
No other citizens in the world buy as many organic products per capita as the Danes. The total sales of organic food amount to 15.5 billion DKK in both physical grocery stores and online shops. Organic Denmark has as its goal that 25 pct. of the food that Danes buy in 2030 will be organic.
The most bought organic products in Denmark are plant-based beverages, lemons, and bananas. Organic fruits and vegetables are the largest product group in the grocery trade, accounting for more than one third of organic sales.
Danish restaurants, cafes, and canteens also use a lot of organic products. More than 3,400 professional kitchens have The Organic Cuisine Label in bronze, silver, or gold. The sale of organic food in the foodservice sector is growing. It is the professional segment that offers the best opportunities for spreading knowledge of organic products and their positive effects. The aim is to make more sustainable meals with greener menus and minimal food waste.
In 2023, organic products increased their impressive market share to 14 pct. in foodservice.
Organic agricultural land use
In 2024 organic agricultural land use decreased to 295.145 ha compared to 303.563 ha in 2023. Overall, the organic agricultural land use accounted for 11.3 pct. of the total agricultural area in Denmark according to a survey by the Danish Agricultural Agency.
The number of organic farms that have, or had, applied for organic certification also fell to 3,930 in 2024 from 3,960 in 2023.
The organic area reached its preliminary peak in 2021 with 313,111 ha, so it has been reduced by 2.8 pct. over three years. The reversion is partly a consequence of a declining demand for organic products in 2022, and last year the Danish dairy producer Arla reached its goal of reducing the production of organic milk by 100 million kilograms of milk. Some suppliers remained organic and switched to other dairies, but a large part reverted to conventional farming.
Since then, however, the tide has turned, and the sale of organic products increased by 7.5 pct in 2024.
It was especially the production of organic broiler chickens, which saw a decrease of 63%, and organic piglets, which had a decrease of 11%, that was reduced in 2023. Dairy production was also affected. The reductions in production occurred in several ways. Some farms were completely taken out of operation, others were reverted to conventional farming, and others were sold to neighbors who converted them to conventional farming.
Danish Organics
The Danish Organic Model
Creating success for the organic market.
Facts & Figures
Danish consumers are the most pro-organic consumers in the world.
