Organic farming in Saxony is growing - share at ten percent

Organic farming has increased in Saxony in recent years. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the area under organic farming more than doubled to almost 90,000 hectares between 2015 and the end of 2024. According to the agricultural report, this currently corresponds to a ten percent share of agricultural land in Bavaria - the first time it has reached double figures. Nationwide, 11.5 percent of land is farmed organically.

Saxony's organic area has grown almost every year over the past ten years, according to a ministry spokesperson. In 2023 alone, there was stagnation due to economic uncertainties caused by various crises and the start of a new funding period with changed framework conditions. According to the data, 9.6 percent of agricultural land in Bavaria was farmed organically in 2023, compared to 9.7 percent the year before.

Organic food continues to be in demand

Formerly a "latecomer", Saxony is now in the midfield in a nationwide comparison, said former Agriculture Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens), who is now the agricultural policy spokesperson for his parliamentary group. This is "good news". The demand for organic products is greater than the local farms can produce. "Further growth can therefore be expected." During the coalition negotiations, the Greens had campaigned for projects such as the competence center for organic farming or the agency for regional food "Agil" to continue, Günther said. According to the Green politician, it is not just about organic farming, but above all about regional value creation.

The Vogtland region in particular is considered an "organic hotspot" with almost 26 percent of its land farmed organically, followed by the Ore Mountains (15.3 percent). A total of 924 farms in Saxony work according to organic criteria. According to the data, around one in 19 cows in Saxony is kept on an organic farm, and organic fruit is grown on around 26 percent of the fruit-growing area - mainly apples, chokeberries and bush berries.

Demand for organic products continues to rise

The Ministry of Agriculture sees good development prospects for the further expansion of organic farming in Saxony. The demand for organic products continues to rise, it said. Nationwide, the market for organic food recorded an increase in turnover and sales of around 10 percent last year, it said. Organic products are not only produced regionally in Saxony, but also processed for a regional, national and global market, according to the ministry.

The Saxony Organic Farming Alliance is demanding a "clear commitment" to organic farming from the minority government made up of the CDU and SPD beyond 2026, when the new budget is negotiated. "There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment," said spokeswoman Heike Kruspe. A changeover, retention and expansion of the area can only be expected if there is a secure planning capability for agricultural businesses. An important point is the reduction of bureaucracy for organic farms. In addition, advisory support - such as that offered by other federal states - could make it easier for farmers to convert.