Organic sector growth highlights policy divide across UK

Organic farmland in the UK reached its highest level in more than a decade in 2025, driven largely by a sharp rise in land conversion in Scotland, according to new Defra figures.

The data, published on 7 May, showed the total area of organic land across the UK increased by 7.3% to 540,000ha.

Scotland accounted for much of that growth, with land in conversion more than doubling from 26,000ha in 2024 to 56,000ha in 2025.

See also: Organic sector welcomes sustained support through SFI 2026

Organically managed farmland in Scotland now stands at 3.3%, up from 1.8% in 2021 and is close to the Scottish government’s target of doubling organic farmland during the current parliamentary term.

Across the UK, 56% of organic land was in England, 31% in Scotland, 12% in Wales and 1.2% in Northern Ireland.

Permanent pasture and rough grazing made up the majority of organic land at 346,000ha, while cereals accounted for 50,000ha.

The figures also showed 2.8% of UK cattle were reared organically and there were 5,004 certified organic operators nationwide.

Growing farmer interest

Industry bodies said the figures reflected growing farmer interest in systems that reduce reliance on artificial fertilisers and improve resilience to extreme weather.

Soil Association Certification senior commercial manager Alison Muirhead said: “Farmers are turning to organic as not only does it provide huge benefits for the environment and wildlife, it also makes good business sense.

“Even amid cost-of-living pressures, sustainability and health is a big concern for shoppers and consumer demand for organic has been rising for the last 14 years.”

She added that rising fertiliser prices and increasingly unpredictable weather were encouraging more farmers to consider systems focused on soil health and lower input use.

“Furthermore, fertiliser costs were rising even before the Iran war, so it is unsurprising that farmers are looking for a system that doesn’t depend on gas from conflict zones,” she said.

“And with increasingly extreme weather, farmers need the healthy soils that organic delivers, to be more resilient to drought and flooding.”

Wake-up call

England recorded a 23% increase in land in conversion, from 19,600ha to 24,200ha, while Wales saw a 4% increase.

However, fully converted organic land in Wales fell by 6%.

Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) chief executive Steve Clarkson said England’s slower growth compared with Scotland should be “a wake-up call for government”.

“When organic farming is backed by clear policy intent, farmer confidence follows suit, as reflected in 2025’s statistics,” he said.

The comments come despite the revamped Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for 2026 retaining many of the organic options available under previous rounds, which industry groups say could support future conversion.

The package announced by Defra secretary Emma Reynolds in February kept 11 of the organic actions previously included in SFI 2024, while three options were removed.

Dedicated action plans

Both the Soil Association and OF&G called for dedicated organic action plans in England and Wales, similar to Scotland’s fully funded programme.

Scotland’s Organic Action Plan, backed by government funding and support through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), has helped deliver six consecutive years of growth in organically managed land.

Farmers and crofters can access support for both conversion and ongoing organic management, with no upper limit on eligible land provided it remains in agricultural use.

“Scotland is a great example for how, with the right backing from politicians and supply chain experts, we can produce nature-friendly food and drink on healthy, home soils,” Ms Muirhead said.