Denmark’s organic exports set another record
New figures from Statistics Denmark show that Danish organic products remain in demand by foreign consumers.
Denmark’s export of organic food products on the rise despite inflation
Despite the fact that the export of organic products has been challenged by high inflation, Danish organic products valued at DKK 3.5 billion were exported in 2023, which is DKK 121 million more than the previous year. It is also the highest ever figure for organic exports.
“As in Denmark, consumers in other countries opted out of - or purchased fewer - organic products as their food budgets shrunk in 2023. More consumers also shopped in discount stores where the organic range is smaller. This was particularly noticeable in Germany, which is Denmark’s most important export market for organic products. It’s therefore very gratifying that organic exports have set a new record,” says Mette Jasper Gammicchia, Head of Market, Food & Gastronomy, at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.
The most important export products in 2023 were dairy products and meat, valued at DKK 1.0 billion and DKK 550 billion respectively. Both were challenged in 2023. Dairy exports were unchanged, while meat exports fell by DKK 57 million.
In addition to dairy and meat, fruit and vegetables valued at DKK 473 million and eggs valued at DKK 43 million were exported in 2023. Furthermore, exports of organic drinks, especially plant-based drinks, increased from DKK 254 million in 2022 to DKK 353 million in 2023, a rise of 39 per cent.
The most important export markets, in addition to Germany, were Sweden and the Netherlands as well as more distant markets, such as China and the U.S. Organic products valued at DKK 1.7 billion were exported to the largest market, Germany, i.e. almost half of the total exports.
Organic products under pressure, but the outlook is encouraging
“As inflation has fallen, we have seen organic sales rise again – particularly in the all-important German market. This has also made it easier to be an exporter of pork and dairy products to Germany, even though price remains a key factor. We therefore expect another increase in exports in 2024,” says Mette Jasper Gammicchia.
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council has noted strong interest in Danish organic products at export promotions in the UK, Germany and France.
”We’re therefore already looking forward to resuming our export promotions in 2025 – both in near and distant markets, such as the U.S. and Japan. This will be the first time for us to promote organic products in the U.S. and we have high hopes for the results.
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council is also firmly focused on developing exports of organic plant-based food. We see great potential in both the German and the UK markets where plant-based food enjoys a particularly higher market share than in Denmark,” says Mette Jasper Gammicchia.