Traditionally, as part of the celebration of the EU Organic Day in Ukraine, data on the state of the organic market for the previous year were published.
Despite the challenges of wartime, Ukraine’s organic sector continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.
As of the end of 2024, Ukraine had 436 organic operators (including 364 agricultural producers) certified under EU and/or US (NOP) organic legislation. In terms of the number of operators, Vinnytsia region leads with 67 producers, followed by Kyiv region with 51.
Unfortunately, the number of organic operators has been steadily decreasing since 2018, largely due to the absence of state support for organic producers. The ongoing war and disruptions in logistics routes have also contributed to the reduction in both operators and organic farmland. Whereas in the past, the leading regions were in the south, with access to logistics centers and seaports, today central Ukraine is gradually taking their place.
The total area of organic farmland decreased by almost 26% – from 471,176 ha in 2023 to 349,348 ha in 2024. The largest organic areas are now concentrated in:
- Odesa region – 50,000 ha
- Cherkasy region – 41,000 ha
- Khmelnytskyi region – 40,000 ha
At the same time, the number of operators certified according to Ukrainian organic legislation increased significantly: 260 operators in 2024 compared to 152 in 2023. Certification under national standards is particularly important for sales on the domestic market.
Overall, over 50 operators sold their products on the Ukrainian domestic market in 2024.
The volume of domestic organic sales reached 7,600 tonnes worth about USD 29 million. This shows that Ukrainian consumers continue to choose organic products even under difficult conditions. After the decline in 2022, sales have now stabilized for the second consecutive year, with even slight growth.
In terms of consumption structure, dairy products are the absolute leader – over 3,000 tonnes. The second largest group is fresh products (vegetables, fruits, berries, and mushrooms) – 2,880 tonnes, followed by cereals, groats, flour, and snacks – over 1,100 tonnes. This structure reflects the fact that Ukrainians prefer basic and affordable foods for their daily diet.
The year 2024 proved that Ukraine’s organic market can withstand even the most difficult conditions. Demand for organic products is stabilizing, and production is shifting to safer regions.
Organic farming remains one of the priority sectors of Ukrainian agriculture. Despite the absence of direct state support, operators can rely on assistance from international donors and partners. Moreover, it is among the sectors best prepared for Ukraine’s EU accession, as the legislation is already aligned with EU requirements. A draft law currently under consideration in the Verkhovna Rada is expected to fully synchronize Ukraine’s framework for organic production, circulation, and labeling with that of the European Union.
Kateryna Shor, OrganicInfo.ua
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Updated infographics on key indicators of Ukraine’s organic domestic market:
- Organic map of Ukraine 2024 (Ukrainian law)
- Organic Map of Ukraine 2024 (EU, NOP)
- Organic production of Ukraine for 2016-2024 (land certified)
- Organic operators for 2016-2024
- Sales of organic products in 2018-2024: domestic market
- Overview of the Ukrainian Domestic Organic Market, 2024
- Volume organic products sold, 2024 (by groups)