In 2004, when Lithuania joined the European Union (EU), almost 43,000 hectares of organic land were certified. Since then, organic production has slowly increased and by 2024 we will end the year with 256,532 ha of organic production. 

The area under organic production represents 8.6% of the total declared agricultural area.

Compared to 2023, the area under organic cultivation increased by over 12,000 hectares last year. This is encouraging, given the different periods during the two decades of EU membership. There have been years when the growth curve for organic production has bounced up, stagnated or even fallen back down. 

The number of certified organic producers also increased last year. As of 31.12.2024, 3,132 operators had a certificate certifying organic production in line with EU requirements. This is 183 more than in the previous year (2023: 2949).

Most organic farms focus on crop and livestock production. The average farm size is 89.5 ha. Over three hundred are also involved in product management (processing, sales). There are a few certifying beekeeping, fishery, wildlife collection activities.

Some certify more than one activity. However, the operator is counted as one, regardless of how many organic production activities he certifies.

The number of those certifying organic catering according to national rules is also slowly increasing. In 2024, 13 organic catering certificates have been issued for 1 café, 1 restaurant and 11 kindergartens. Even more growth is expected once the Ministry of Agriculture approves the procedure for reimbursement of the costs of organic catering certification for pre-school establishments.

„We welcome the growth and congratulate those who are making a responsible, voluntary and conscious choice to adopt this more complex, but high added value agriculture sector, the surrounding environment and consumers. As a certification and control body, we understand that the implementation of organic production requirements can be challenging and not easy. However, they are necessary to protect the interests of the consumer – to ensure their right to receive food of an appropriate quality, sometimes at a higher price. Moreover, the same requirements apply in all EU countries and Lithuania is no exception. We are therefore committed to cooperate and contribute our knowledge to all those who decide to contribute to this supply chain of sustainably produced and healthy food," says Virginija Andrulė, Director of „Ekoagros“.

2024 in numbers:

• Certification of 256,532.40 ha of organic production area (including fisheries area).
• Over 12,000 ha more area certified than in 2023
• The area under organic production represents 8.6% of the total declared agricultural area (excluding the area under fisheries, which is 5,876.74).
• 3132 operators have received an organic production certificate confirming compliance with EU requirements.
• Increase of 183 operators compared to 2023.
• Average farm size 89.5 ha.

Certified activities (some operators certify several activities): crop production or crop production combined with livestock farming – 2801, fisheries – 16, beekeeping – 34, wild collection – 14, organic product handling (preparation and marketing) – 328, organic catering – 13.

Information from public enterprise „Ekoagros“