The number of organically run farms in Germany has fallen slightly, while the area farmed organically has continued to grow moderately. This is indicated by recent structural data and industry association analyses, reported by the Deutschlandfunk . According to the figures, around one in nine agricultural holdings still carries an organic label, but the share of land is growing somewhat faster than the number of farms.
The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food sets out the trend in its structural data for 2025. Industry associations have also observed that larger farms and those already converted to organic production are expanding their organic areas, while membership numbers in some associations have fallen slightly. The German Federation of the Organic Food Industry cites economic pressure, ongoing structural change in agriculture and recently reduced incentives to convert as key reasons. Regional authorities report similar patterns in their areas, with some differences depending on market and funding conditions.
The statistical methodology is important when interpreting the figures: since 2026, the Agricultural statistics changes to the survey and classification methods for organic farming. The authorities responsible stress that figures from before and after the changeover can be compared directly only to a limited extent. This applies both to nationwide aggregates and to figures broken down by federal state, and may mean that smaller units are recorded statistically differently than before.
Politically, the trend remains relevant. The of the Federal Government, published on the same day. They show both increased participation in the is sticking to its target for expanding organic farming and is discussing more tailored support measures with the federal states. Proposals include support better suited to the conversion period, improved advice and reliable purchasing commitments and market incentives. In the view of market observers and associations, producer prices, input costs and workload currently have a greater influence on farmers’ willingness to convert than trends in demand alone in the organic food and grocery retail sectors. The German Farmers’ Association also points to the tight liquidity many farms face and the need for predictable conditions.
Overall, 2025 presents a mixed picture: fewer farms, but more organic farmland. Consistent survey methods and detailed regional data will be crucial for a reliable analysis of trends in the coming years. Only after several consecutive years of data have been collected using the new methodology will it become clear whether the decline in the number of farms was a temporary phenomenon or signals a lasting trend in organic farming.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).