Europe Organic Food Market Size (2025-2030)

The Europe Organic Food Market was valued at USD 57.48 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a market size of USD 99.15 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2025-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.52%. 

The European organic food sector is the world's strongest and most innovative in the organic food sector. The sector has witnessed phenomenal growth in the past decade, supported by robust regulatory systems, increased consumer awareness, and a strong supply chain. Europeans prioritize food security, the environment, and well-being, which has propelled the demand for food produced organically with no artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. European consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking products that comply with their health and ethical standards. Some of the most profound trends, such as plant-based diets, clean eating, and sustainable consumption, are most typically dominant in countries like the Nordic nations, the UK, Germany, and France.

Key Market Insights:

• Organic meat and poultry sales are expected to reach over €5 billion by 2024 as shoppers look for ethically produced, antibiotic-free meat and poultry.
• Over 70% of European shoppers indicate they will pay a premium for organic.
  Increased popularity of plant-based eating is expected to propel the organic plant-based protein market to over €2 billion by 2026.
• Organic dairy sales, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, are expected to reach over €12 billion by 2025.
• Organic fruit and vegetables take the lead with over 40% of total organic food sales in the European market.
• E-commerce is hot, with online sales of organic food expected to reach over €10 billion by 2027.

Europe Organic Food Market Drivers:

The Health Benefits and Growing Appeal of Organic Foods is Driving the Market Growth.

Organic foods are perceived to be healthier because they are free from artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Research shows that organic foods contain greater quantities of nutrients essential for well-being, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, compared to conventional foods made using ordinary methods. Organic milk and meats also contain higher quantities of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart well-being. Such nutritional benefits are an important source of the growth of organic food consumption. Health, apart from environmental and ethical concerns, is the main reason most consumers in Europe purchase organic products. Organic agriculture is established to encourage sustainability, increase biodiversity, encourage healthy soils, and reduce pollution caused by synthetic chemicals.

Government policies and support support growth in Europe's Organic Food Market.

Most European countries provide economic incentives and subsidies to motivate organic farmers, including grants for organic conversion, organic practice maintenance subsidies, and organic certification assistance. Such economic incentives reduce the additional cost of organic farming, thus encouraging more farmers to adopt sustainable practices. Secondly, research and development (R&D) investment is a critical driver of growth. Governments and research institutions across Europe are working to improve organic farming practices, crop improvement, and other matters like pest management and soil fertility in organic systems. These R&D efforts significantly contribute to the organic food industry's development and improvement. Thirdly, robust regulatory systems and certification procedures ensure the quality and authenticity of organic products. The EU Organic Regulation enforces robust regulations on organic farming and organic food production through a comprehensive certification process, guaranteeing consumer trust in organic products and driving market growth.

Europe Organic Food Market Restraints and Challenges:

The organic Food supply chain is more complex and needs more efficiency.

Organic food supply chains tend to be more complicated with longer logistics than the conventional food supply chain. Organic products must be handled with care and stored in a manner that prevents them from getting contaminated and maintains their quality, increasing storage and transportation costs. Also, the small-scale and highly fragmented nature of organic farming discourages the design of effective logistics and distribution channels. Organic farming is also more prone to seasonal fluctuations compared to conventional farming, which may result in the fluctuation of organic product supply, especially fresh vegetables. Seasonal availability may influence the reliability of supply to consumers and retailers, which affects prices and market stability. Integrity of organic products at all stages of the supply chain is essential to maintain consumer confidence.

Europe Organic Food Market Opportunities:

Urbanization is a compelling lifestyle transformation in emerging economies, as consumers increasingly turn towards healthier living and adopt Western food consumption patterns. The trend is creating a boom for a diverse variety of organic offerings, from fresh fruits and vegetables to dairy products, meat, and processed foods. Consumers in cities are increasingly moving to shop in supermarkets and internet channels, where organic foodstuffs are readily available. Increasing demand for various organic products, including convenience foods, snacks, drinks, and functional foods, exists. Businesses that innovate and develop organic new products to cater to this demand stand to experience substantial growth. For example, the introduction of ready-to-eat organic meals, organic snacks, and functional beverages is consistent with the growing convenience and health-oriented consumption trend.

Sustainable packaging is also a huge opportunity in the organic food industry. Organic consumers who are environmentally friendly tend to want eco-friendly packaging. Advances in biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable materials can make organic products more attractive and influence consumer preference.
 

EUROPE ORGANIC FOOD MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Europe Organic Food Market Segmentation:

Europe Organic Food Market Segmentation: By Types

• Fresh Produce
• Dairy Products
• Meat and Poultry
• Beverages
• Packaged foods
• Others

Fresh produce, in the form of fruits and vegetables, is the largest and most prevalent category in the organic food industry. Consumers in Europe highly value fresh, organic produce based on its assumed health advantages as well as for its better flavor. Germany, France, and Italy are strong markets for organic fresh produce with strong demand for locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables. Packaged organic food is the fastest-growing category in the European market for organic food. Packaged organic food covers a broad category of products including snacks, cereals, pasta, sauces, and baby food. The convenience and variety of packaged organic food are attractive to consumers with busy lifestyles who are seeking healthy and convenient meal alternatives. Increasing demand for organic ready-to-eat meals and organic snacks is propelling the growth of this segment.

Europe Organic Food Market Segmentation: By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Online Platforms
• Specialty Organic Stores
• Direct-to-Consumer sales

Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the major distributors of organic food in Europe. Organic food is readily available for purchase by consumers along with regular grocery shopping since large supermarket chains such as Tesco, Carrefour, and Edeka provide a wide range of organic food items. The organic food industry is growing primarily due to supermarkets' convenience and widespread distribution coverage. Online channels of distribution in Europe are those that are growing fastest for organic food. Various organic products are delivered directly to customers by e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Ocado as well as specialist organic stores such as Farm Drop. This channel is growing due to convenience in online shopping as well as the greater use of digital devices. Food trends in online buying grew during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe Organic Food Market Segmentation: Regional Analysis:

• Italy
• Spain
• Russia
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Rest of Europe

Germany is the uncontested market leader of organic food in Europe with a robust 22% of the market. Several variables that are deeply ingrained in German culture, consumer culture, and government policy are responsible for this dominance. With a robust preference for healthier and greener products, German consumers have spearheaded the organic food revolution for decades. The country's robust green movement, which gained tremendous momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, is the source of this consciousness. This green culture has been further augmented by the role of the Green Party in German politics, which has resulted in legislation that encourages sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Spain is the highest growth rate country in the European organic food market, and currently, it has an 8% market share. With phenomenal annual growth rates, the Spanish organic food market has been outpacing its European counterparts and becoming a force to be reckoned with in the market. Spain's organic food market is expanding aggressively for several reasons. First, there has been a tremendous change in consumer knowledge and palate. Spanish consumers are increasingly becoming conscious of the health benefits of organic products, especially the younger generations. Media coverage, social media influence, and educational programs that emphasize the benefits of consuming organic food have all contributed to this consciousness.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Europe Organic Food Market:

The initial phases of the pandemic saw an increase in panic buying in Europe. Customers, fearing food shortages and supply chain failures, rushed to stores, stripping shelves of staple items, including organic items. This initial rush eventually passed as logistics networks adjusted, and online food shopping became more popular. With the progression of the pandemic, health considerations became a leading factor driving food purchasing. People who paid more attention to their health favored organic food products as being healthier and with immune-boosting potential. This appealed to the general tendency toward preventive care and an interest in natural and minimally processed food. The crisis laid some weak points of the European organic food supply chain bare. Upset in worldwide logistics and transport influenced the accessibility of some organic products, especially those from external sources outside of Europe. Also, small-scale organic producers had difficulties in adjusting to the sudden move towards online retailing and possibly higher costs of distribution.

Latest Trends/ Developments:

Organic food tends to be viewed as healthier with little exposure to artificial pesticides and fertilizers. This is aided by an increased emphasis on preventive healthcare, and a broader segment of consumers is being drawn, including young households and health-conscious consumers. Core organic consumers, while committed to ethical and sustainable principles, are no longer enough for the expanding market, and the market is growing to embrace a more mainstream consumer. Convenience and price are increasingly becoming key drivers, with demand for easily accessible and competitively priced organic produce on the rise. People are more and more interested in where their food comes from and supporting local farmers. This is creating the impetus for the development of local organic food markets, farm-to-table operations, and retailer alliances with regional organic growers.

Key Players:

1. Tesco
2. Edeka
3. Alnatura
4. Ahold Delhaize
5. Planet Organic
6. Ocado
7. DM-drogerie markt
8. Carrefour
9. Bio c’Bon
10. Abel & Cole