Area under organic farming

The graph shows a very slow increase in the rate of organic farming in Ireland between 2012 and 2022. In 2022, 2.2% of Ireland’s utilised agricultural area was under organic farming, far below the EU average of 10.5%. By 2024, this had more than doubled to 5% (not shown in the graph) following the acceptance of 1 050 additional farmers into the organic farming scheme.

Under Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the country aims to more than triple the area of agricultural land farmed organically to 7.5% by 2027 and, to this end, has increased the financial support available. Moreover, Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2025 sets a target of 10% of the agricultural land area being organically farmed by 2030.

In summary, although Ireland has a very low base, there has been good progress in the total agricultural area under organic farming in the last few years, with further national initiatives under way. Ireland will, however, still be well short of the EU target by 2030.