The organic market in Germany is growing, but domestic production is not keeping pace. This is shown by a current SWR report, which brings together expert opinions from agriculture, environmental protection, and cultivation associations.
According to the German Association of Organic Food Industry (BÖLW), around 90% of Generation Z consumers opt for organic products. Baden-Württemberg is above the national average, with people in the southwest consuming about 17% more organic products than the rest of Germany. At the same time, only about 15% of agricultural land is organically farmed, which is far from the state's target of 30-40% by 2030.
The gap between supply and demand is significant. For grain and vegetables, regional organic production covers only about half of the demand. For eggs, demand is almost three times higher than supply, and for milk and meat, it is around 50% higher.
Why aren't more farms converting?
Christoph Schramm of BUND Baden-Württemberg cites the reduced price difference between organic and conventional production as the main reason. In addition, there are bureaucratic hurdles. The new EU grazing requirement, for example, has led to around 10% of German organic dairy farms giving up their certification. Smaller farms in Southern Germany are particularly affected.
Christoph Zimmer from Bioland Baden-Württemberg also points out that organically managed farms provide valuable services to society. They protect biodiversity, reduce pesticides, and relieve groundwater. However, these services worsen their competitive position, which is why financial compensation through subsidies is necessary.
The Ministry of Agriculture is currently examining an increase in the per-hectare premium for organic farms. It is clear that the transition to organic farming will only succeed if farmers can also afford it economically, and with reliable funding, fair producer prices, and practical operating resources that secure yields without jeopardizing organic standards.
Image: created with the help of AI
Text basis: Susanne Veil, SWR