Record number of Irish farmers and food producers applied to go organic last year

A record number of farmers and food producers applied to go organic in Ireland last year.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, received 2,100 applications to join the Organic Farming Scheme in autumn 2022.

It is hoped the success, highlighted in today's Organic Strategy Forum report, will lead to the development of new market opportunities across the country.

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Minister of State at DAFM, Senator Pippa Hackett, said: "The Organic Strategy Forum has played a key role in identifying practical solutions to some of the barriers to the growth of the sector.

"I commend the work of the Chair, Padraig Brennan and the stakeholders for their work in identifying both issues and solutions to allow us to build on the experienced and dedicated cohort of organic farmers and processors we have here in Ireland.

Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett TD during a media briefing following the announcement of new funding to help businesses move away from fossil fuels at the Iveagh Garden Hotel, Harcourt Street, Dublin in June 2022 (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency)

"One of the priorities of the forum was to increase the critical mass of the organic sector and this was reflected in the record number of 2,100 new applications in autumn 2022 to join the Organic Farming Scheme.

"Development of new market opportunities for our increasing organic output is a clear priority for all of us this year... including leading a trade mission with Irish companies to the world’s largest organic trade fair, Biofach in Germany, next month."

The Organic Strategy Forum’s 2023 priorities include green procurement, education, data gathering, coordinating organic supplies, reducing leakage and developing the market for Irish organic food.

Chair, Padraig Brennan, added: "We are well positioned to anticipate and proactively respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the organic food sector."

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