Organic farming no longer serves a niche market in the European Union (EU). In spite

of the global economic crisis, the mainstreaming of organic products has maintained

its impressive trajectory: since 2008 there has been an average annual growth rate of

8%; annual turnover has risen to €20 billion; and more than 500 000 hectares have been

converted to organic cultivation each year for the past decade. Added to that, the potential

for further growth remains strong. Land converted to organic cultivation by Europe’s 186

000 organic farms represents just 5.4% of the EU’s total utilised agricultural area.