Facts & Figures
Danish consumers are the most pro-organic consumers in the world.
In fact, Denmark has the world's highest organic share and the most well-developed organic market. Organic sales in Denmark increased about 7.4 pct. in 2024 after the market went a bit down in 2023 due to high inflation and a general crisis in the cost of living.
According to Statistics Denmark, the organic market share of retail trade in 2023 was 11.8 pct. measured by value. On average, 65.5 pct. of Danish consumers put organic food in their shopping basket every week in 2023. However, there were wide variations in what percentage of their food budget, Danish consumers spent on organic food.
The unique and governmentally certified Danish organic label The Red Ø has been very important to the widespread success, that organic food products have achieved in Denmark.
Development in the Danish organic market share 2006 through 2024
In 2024, 11.6 pct. of Danes’ food purchases were organic products, which is the highest organic market share compared to any other country in the world.
Source: Statistics Denmark 2024. Please note the fact that Statistics Denmark has changed its basis of calculation from 2017 and onwards. Furthermore, online commerce has also been included in the figures from 2017 and onwards.
Denmark: World leading organic nation
The demand for organic foods continued to grow globally in 2023, reaching 136 billion euros. Once again, Denmark is leading the way as the country where the sales of organic products account for the largest part of overall sales. Switzerland comes in second followed by Austria in third place.
Source: FiBL 2023
Organic sale in Denmark
The 10 most popular organic products with Danish consumers in 2024 were:
- Bananas (66.5%)
- Plant based dairy (64.9%)
- Carrots (47.6%)
- Oatmeal (47.2%)
- Natural yoghurt (47.0%)
- Root crop (45.4%)
- Cabbage (36.2%)
- Milk (34.3%)
- Flour (33.7%)
- Eggs (31.2%)
Source: GfK ConsumerScan
The table below shows the value shares of the total, organic turnover per category in 2024.
Sales of organic products by product groups
Fruits and vegetables make up more than one third of the organic sales in the retail sector and thereby constitute the largest organic product category. This is followed by dairy that makes up one fifth of the organic sales. In general, most product categories have a high organic market share.
Source: Statistics Denmark 2024
Sales channels of Danish organic food
The sale of organic food in Denmark experienced a slight decline in the years 2022 and 2023, but was back on the growth track in 2024, where organic products generated 16 billion DKK in the retail sector.
Over the past few years, the sale of organic food in the Danish foodservice sector has achieved impressive growth rates and reached 3.4 billion DKK in 2023, which is an increase of 13 pct. compared to the previous year. The organic market share in the Danish foodservice sector is thus at 14 pct.
Source: Statistics Denmark 2024
The export of Danish organic food by country
Danish organics are not only for Danes. In 2023, the export of Danish organic products amounted to 3.5 billion DKK. Our biggest export markets are in our neighboring countries with Germany as the largest export market for Danish organic companies representing 49 pct. of total exports. This is followed by Sweden (11 pct.), The Netherlands (6 pct.) and China (6 pct.).
Source: Statistics Denmark 2024
Organic exports by categories
Organic dairy products, including eggs, constitute by far the largest export category. The figure below indicates the export of Danish organic products per category in 2023. One of the fastest growing export categories in 2023 was plant-based milk, which increased growth with 39 pct. in 2023.
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.
Consumption and Land Use
Organic consumption and agricultural land use in Denmark.
