In an unprecedented turn of events, Estonia's organic farming sector encountered a tumultuous year in 2023, as revealed by the latest data from Statistics Estonia. The Baltic nation, once a trailblazer in organic agriculture, witnessed a 2.5% contraction in its total organic farming area, which now spans 225,300 hectares, constituting 22.8% of the country's total agricultural land. This setback marks a departure from the consistent growth observed in previous years, leaving Estonia further from the ambitious 25% target set by the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy.
Ege Kirs, a prominent analyst at Statistics Estonia, shed light on the challenges that beset organic farmers in 2023. "Just like in agriculture overall, it was a difficult year for organic farmers – harvested production declined for many crops, the number of livestock decreased, and several organic producers went out of business," Kirs remarked. The ripple effects of these adversities were felt across various sectors, with 78 organic producers forced to shutter their operations.
Estonia's organic crop farming landscape in 2023 encompassed an array of produce, including cereals cultivated on 47,600 hectares, dry pulses on 6,000 hectares, vegetables and strawberries on 240 hectares, and potatoes on 110 hectares. The nation also boasted 2,200 hectares of organic fruit and berry plantations. However, the total production of organic cereals plummeted by 31% year-on-year, settling at 83,200 metric tons. Holdings managed to produce 1,300 metric tons of organic potatoes and 640 metric tons of organic fruits and berries, with the latter experiencing a staggering 50% drop compared to the previous year.
The disparity in yields between organic and conventional farming was starkly evident, as the former eschews the use of artificial mineral fertilizers and pesticides. In 2023, the average yield of cereals stood at 3.4 metric tons per hectare, while organic cereals yielded a mere 1.7 metric tons per hectare. Similarly, the average potato yield was 24.5 metric tons per hectare, in contrast to the 11.7 metric tons achieved by organic potatoes.
Estonia's organic livestock sector also bore the brunt of the challenging year. The nation's organic herds comprised 42,300 cattle, 25,400 sheep and goats, 670 pigs, and 26,600 laying hens. Notably, organic farming proved more popular among cattle, sheep, and goat farmers, with 18% of cattle and 43% of sheep and goats in the country being raised organically. However, 2023 witnessed a decline in numbers across all organically farmed livestock categories.
Despite the setbacks, Estonia's organic farming sector continued to contribute to the nation's food production. In 2023, organic farming methods yielded 5.6 million eggs and 8,900 metric tons of milk. Additionally, organic dairy products included 240 metric tons of cheese, 208 metric tons of acidified milk products, and 16 metric tons of cream and butter.
As Estonia grapples with the challenges faced by its organic farming sector, the nation remains committed to sustainable agriculture practices. The lessons learned from the trials of 2023 will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of Estonia's organic farming landscape, as stakeholders seek to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving agricultural ecosystem.
