Report Overview

Global organic farming market is growing due to the increased organic food demand, growing emphasis on sustainable farming, and rising adulteration rates across developing countries, as well as growing concerns about climate change & global warming

Global Organic Farming Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2027

The global organic farming market reached USD 96.1 billion in 2020. It is further projected to reach USD 183.8 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period (2021-2027). The market is driven by factors, such as increased organic food demand, growing emphasis on sustainable farming, and the rising food adulteration rates across developing countries. Other factors contributing to the growth of the global organic farming market include investments in the research and development of farms and farming systems, as well as growing concerns about global warming & climate change.

Source: BlueWeave Consulting

Global Organic Farming Market Overview:

Basically, organic farming involves producing crops, animals, and other products without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, transgenic species, antibiotics, growth-stimulating steroids, or other artificial chemicals. Instead of fertilizers and other chemicals, farmers use cover crops, green manures, animal manures, and crop rotations to fertilize the soil, maximize biological activity and maintain long-term soil health. Biological control, crop rotations, and other techniques are used to protect crops from weeds, insects, and diseases.

Global Organic Farming Market Forecast and Trends

Growth Drivers

Growing emphasis on sustainable development

With an increasing focus on sustainable development and healthy eating, the demand for organic food is growing day by day.Organic farming can prevent 500 million pounds of persistent and harmful pesticides from entering the environment annually, as reported by the Organic Trade Association. According to the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, organic crops and dairy farming use 35% to 74% less energy than conventional crop and dairy farming. Additionally, organic farming reduces nitrogen run-off-induced pollution and protects the environment. Healthy soil formation and reduced carbon dioxide emission, coupled with the abovementioned factors are supporting the growth of the global organic farming market. The same factors are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Rising adulteration rates across developing countries

A growing prevalence of food adulterations is making it harder for consumers to consume safe food. The issue is more prevalent in developing countries where there are little to no strict measures. According to the food samples collected by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) in 2018-2019, 28% of the samples were identified as adulterated. To tackle the issue of rising adulteration in the market, the FSSAI has proposed to include a new section in the Food Safety Standards (FSS) Act that was originally passed in 2006, and this move by the FSSAI shows the severity of the issues. As a result, people in urban areas are switching to organic diets, resulting in a rise in demand for organic products and the growth of the organic farming industry.

Restraints

High Initial Investment Cost

It costs significantly more to invest in organic farming than in conventional farming due to the former’s specific requirements. Moreover, organic farming calls for the use of ecologically friendly agriculture practices, with farmers using their own renewable resources or local resources which may extend the costs of organic farming further.In the absence of organic fertilizers and pesticides at home, farmers must buy them from the market. These products are significantly more expensive than chemicals. Economically weak farmers find it difficult to opt for organic farming due to the high investment costs and high prices of organic fertilizers and pesticides, and this is a major barrier on the growth of the global organic farming market.

Global Organic Farming Market: By Type

The global organic farming market is segmented into pure organic farming and integrated organic farming. The pure organic farming segment held the largest market share in the global organic farming market in 2020. This segment dominated the market owing to the increasing demand for pure organic food products, growing investment from major market players, and high selling price of pure organic products in the market. In pure organic farming, manures and biopesticides are used for crop management and products used are free from all kinds of chemicals. The natural way of growing crops without using any chemicals supports the growing adoption of pure-organic products by the consumers, which in turn is driving the growth of the segment in the global organic farming market.

Global Organic Farming Market: By Technique

Source: BlueWeave Consulting

In terms of techniques, the global organic farming market is segmented into crop diversity, weed management, soil management, chemical management, and others. The weed management segment dominated the market in 2020 as it helps farmers tackle the issue of weed in the crops. Depending on the crop and severity of weeds, weeds can negatively affect crop production by 5-50%, according to Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. Besides resolving this issue, weed management also enhances crop production, provides a convenient monitoring process, and removes unwanted plants growing alongside the crops. The segment holds a dominant market share in the global organic farming market.

Impact of COVID-19 in the industry

COVID-19 affected the global organic farming market positively. Due to the lockdown, organic food demand grew significantly in 2020, resulting in a spike in market growth. As people became more aware of what they were consuming, the demand for organic food products soared. According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic food products increased by 12.8% in the US in 2020 with fresh organic produce sales witnessing a growth of 11% and frozen organic fruits and vegetable sales increasing more than 28%. Farmers were also able to obtain higher prices for their products as demand increased, and companies were willing to pay higher prices to farmers. As markets reopen and countries allow tourists, the demand for organic food products is expected to grow further, driving the market in the coming years.

Global Organic Farming Market: Regional Insights

The global organic farming market is segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Among these regions, North America held the largest share in the global organic farming market in 2020 owing to the increased demand for organic products.Organic food sales increased by 12.8% in the US in 2020, with organic flour and baked goods growing by 30%, organic spices by 51%, and organic textiles, fibers, and household goods growing by 8.5%, according to the Organic Trade Association. Other factors contributing to the dominance of the region in the global organic farming market include the presence of global players, a high per capita income, and increased health awareness among the population.

Competitive landscape

Some of the key players operating in the global organic farming market include ZUWA Organic Farms Pvt Ltd., Bayer AG, Organic Farmers Co., AkzoNobel N.V., Dow Chemical Company, Indian Organic Farmers Producer Company (IOFPC), BASF SE, Nalco Holding Company, Picks Organic Farm, Solvay SA, Camson Bio Technologies Limited, Amalgamated Plantations Pvt Ltd., Bunge India Pvt Ltd., Mcleod Russel India Ltd., Aero Farm Systems, Plenty AG, Agrilution Systems GmbH, and others prominent players. Acquisitions and effective mergers are some of the strategies adopted by the key manufacturers. New product launches and continuous technology innovation are also strategies adopted by major players. Companies also invest heavily in research and development to dominate the market.

Recent Developments

• In August 2021, Shenandoah Growers Inc. broke grounds on its next indoor Biofarm in Anderson County. Founded in 2018, Shenandoah Growers specializes in commercially advanced indoor agriculture and will be delivering USDA-certified organic produce that is affordable as well as widely accessible. An announcement by the company said that the new farm will create 50 full-time jobs with good wages.

• In July 2021,the EU's ministers of agriculture from 27 member nations have all agreed that 25% of the EU's agricultural land area should be organic by 2030. The ministers made the commitment during the meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Brussels.

Scope of the Report

By Source

• Plant-Based

• Animal-based

• By Farming Type

  • Pure Organic Farming

  • Integrated Organic Farming

• By Technique

  • Crop Diversity

  • Soil Management

  • Weed Management

  • Chemical Management

  • Others

• By Region

  • North America

  • Europe

  • The Asia-Pacific (APAC)

  • Latin America (LATAM)

  • The Middle-East & Africa (MEA)