News article, 28. April 2021

Maintaining Denmark as the world’s leading organic nation

Denmark has the world’s highest consumption of organic products measured per capita.

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council is establishing an Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture in order to strengthen organic production and maintain Denmark’s position as the world’s leading organic nation.

A report entitled 'The World of Organic Agriculture', which was presented at the international organic fair earlier this year, shows that global consumption of organic products is in growth. It compares organic food production in 187 countries and states that global sales of organic products increased by EUR 9.7 billion in one year. Denmark occupies a leading position in a number of organic markets Denmark’s share of the organic market is 12.1 per cent, which means that Denmark is firmly at the forefront of the world’s consumption of organic products.

Download: The World of Organic Agriculture 2021 Report

World class Danish organic pork

The report also states that the number of organically produced pigs has more than doubled over the past decade. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, growth in organically produced pork in the EU amounted to 13.7%, with Danish production accounting for the majority of the world’s exports of organic pig meat.

Organic Innovation Centre to develop climate solutions

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council, in partnership with Organic Denmark, is establishing the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture. The aim is to accelerate the development of organic production so that Denmark continues to maintain its leading position within the organic sector. The centre will also develop climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in organic agricultural production. These initiatives are aimed at achieving the Danish food industry’s climate target of being climate neutral by 2050.

Denmark’s leading position in sustainability and organic production consists with the UN’s sustainable development goals
The Innovation Centre also paves the way for Denmark to become a world leader in terms of sustainability and organic innovation – under the umbrella of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Facts about the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture
Established as an independent enterprise with Organic Denmark and the Danish Agriculture & Food Council as the owners.
The Centre will gather Denmark’s expertise in organic development in all agricultural spheres under one roof and in a way which supports the development of 'best knowledge' for Danish organic farmers.
The establishment of the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture means that SEGES Organic Innovation and Organic Denmark’s agricultural department will be closed. The main source of advice for farmers will continue to be through their local organic advisory service, apart from special areas where development and implementation will be via the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture.
According to the Finance Act, the Centre has been allocated DKK 10 million per year towards innovation work. The Centre will also seek funding.
The position as the Centre’s Head of Innovation will be opened up shortly. He/She will report to the Board of Directors.

Facts about organic production
There are around 4,000 organic farms in Denmark and since 2015, there has been a significant rise in organic land, which accounts for 11.7 per cent of agricultural land. Since 2003, exports of organic agricultural products have increased tenfold. In Denmark, the main organic products are vegetables, milk, eggs and cereal-based products.