Defra targets trebling of England’s organic farmland by 2036

Defra has launched a 10-year plan to expand organic farming in England, aiming to nearly treble the share of agricultural land managed organically as ministers seek to help domestic producers meet rising consumer demand.

The Organic Action Plan for England, launched on Wednesday 14 October by Defra secretary Dame Angela Eagle, sets an ambition to increase organic farmland from abougt 3.4% to 10% by 2036.

UK organic retail sales reached £3.9bn in 2025, but England’s organic land area has remained broadly static for more than a decade. Growing demand is increasingly being met by imports, particularly in horticulture.

See also: Defra minister visits Riverford farm amid organic growth talks

Developed with the English Organic Forum (EOF), the plan focuses on supporting producers, strengthening domestic supply chains and stimulating demand through consumer awareness and public-sector procurement.

Organic conversion

For farmers considering conversion, measures include clearer guidance, one-to-one advice and opportunities to learn from established organic producers.

Defra will also keep its organic offer under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) under review, but has not committed to ringfenced additional funding.

Dame Angela said: “People are buying more organic food, and we want English farmers to be in a strong position to respond to that demand.”

The plan also aims to improve links between farmers, processors and buyers, helping identify supply gaps and create more opportunities for English produce on supermarket shelves, in restaurants and in export markets.

The public sector is another potential source of demand. Government spends about £5bn/year on food and drink, and Defra will publish guidance explaining how organic products qualify under government buying standards for higher environmental production standards.

The EOF welcomed the plan, but said delivery would be the real test.

Adrian Steele, EOF co-chair and Soil Association farming adviser, said the sector had long called for a more joined-up approach to overcoming supply-chain barriers and enabling farmers to meet growing demand.

SFI backing vital

The forum said stronger, ringfenced financial support through the SFI would also be needed to give farmers confidence to convert and invest.

Rob Haward, chief executive of Riverford, said growers needed “clear, consistent support from government and strong markets for what they produce”.

The plan will be overseen jointly by Defra and the EOF, with progress assessed against measures including organic land area, domestic production, the organic trade balance and public-sector purchasing.

Martin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, welcomed the strategy as “a step in the right direction”, saying organic farming can boost soil health, biodiversity and farm resilience.

But he warned farmers will need confidence, practical support and greater investment from the supply chain, alongside fairer returns and stronger domestic markets.