What is the future of organic food in Poland and in the world?

During this year’s WorldFood Poland 2025 fair in Warsaw, a debate was held on the future of organic food in Poland and worldwide. Experts discussed the state of the market, the barriers that hinder its development, and what solutions could make eco-products more accessible and attractive to consumers. Production is growing, but consumption still lags behind. What must change for organic food to become a daily choice for Poles rather than just a niche?

Table of Contents

🟢 The state of organic food in Poland compared to Europe
🟢 Production and processing – growing potential but also challenges
🟢 Barriers and challenges for the organic sector
🟢 The role of education and promotion
🟢 Strategies for the future – what do experts recommend?
🟢 Summary
🟢 FAQ

The state of organic food in Poland compared to Europe

Poland is among the European leaders when it comes to the area of organic farming. According to data presented during the WorldFood Poland 2025 debate, our country ranks 10th in the European Union, and in terms of the size of farms alone – eighth.

By 2030, a clear goal has been set – to reach one million hectares of organic crops, which means doubling the current share from 3.5 to 7 percent. On paper this looks promising, however the problem arises on the consumption side. Poles spend an average of around 8 euros per year on certified organic food. For comparison, in Austria or Denmark this figure reaches 250-350 euros.

Experts point to two main reasons – lower household income and a lack of consumer trust and awareness. And it is precisely these barriers, rather than production itself, that may determine the pace of market development in the coming years.

Production and processing – growing potential but also challenges

Development of processing plants

In recent years, the organic processing sector in Poland has grown significantly. A dozen or so years ago, there were fewer than 200 processing plants in operation; today (as of April 2025) there are over 1,200. This is a major change, showing that the market has matured and is beginning to create stable supply chains. Farmers are increasingly signing contracts with processors, and raw materials are no longer left “in the field.” On the other hand, for the past two years there has been a decline in the number of processing plants, which experts see as a warning signal.

Export and certification

There is also no shortage of challenges related to export. Poland sends a large part of its raw materials abroad, often in unprocessed form or as semi-finished products, which means that the added value goes to other countries. Certification also plays an important role, giving consumers confidence that they are buying a truly organic product, but for small farms it can be costly and difficult to obtain. This makes some farmers hesitate to enter the system, even though it is precisely what builds trust and opens the door to more demanding markets.

Poland is among the European leaders when it comes to the area of organic farming.

Barriers and challenges for the organic sector

Production

Organic production is not only an opportunity but also comes with many obstacles that farmers must face every day. One of the problems is the proximity of conventional fields. Wind and water do not recognize boundaries, and potential contamination may cause a farm to lose its certification, even if it has followed all the rules.

Then there are the costs. Investing in a fruit press or other equipment needed for processing means hundreds of thousands of zlotys. Not every farmer is ready to take out a loan and risk it. Large cereal farms face a different issue, not so much with production as with sales. Sometimes, with hundreds of hectares of crops, there is no suitable sales channel, and the produce is left without a buyer. All this means that the development of organic farming in Poland requires real systemic solutions.

Consumption

On the consumption side, the biggest problem remains awareness. Many consumers do not fully understand how organic food differs from conventional food, so they see no reason to pay more for it. And prices are significant, since in Poland organic products can be up to three times more expensive than regular ones, while in Germany the difference averages around 30 percent.

This makes a huge difference and causes organic food to become a luxury good for many people. There is also the issue of availability. In Warsaw or other large cities, it is easy to find specialty stores and supermarket shelves with organic products. In smaller towns the situation is different, as the selection is limited and prices even higher as a result. Altogether, this makes the Polish consumer market develop much more slowly than organic production.

The role of education and promotion

Consumer and farmer education

Education is one of the pillars of the development of the organic market. Without knowledge and understanding of why organic food is valuable, it is difficult to expect consumers to be willing to pay more for it. During the debate at WorldFood Poland 2025, experts emphasized that health and environmental awareness is an investment in the future, not only in a better diet but also in lower spending on medicines and improved quality of life.

A good example is youth initiatives such as school competitions on agricultural topics, bakery workshops, or the promotion of ancient grains. Such activities leave a lasting mark on the consciousness of young people and can shape their consumer choices for years.

Equally important is the education of farmers. Here, agricultural advisors play a crucial role. They should be independent and truly well-prepared, because it is often they who decide whether a farmer dares to enter the organic system or remains with conventional farming.

Promotion and brand building

Promotion is the second pillar, alongside education, in the development of the organic market. The green leaf, the EU logo for organic farming, is meant to be a guarantee of quality and safety, but many consumers still treat it as just an ordinary sticker. That is why it is so important to remind people that behind this symbol stand regular inspections, certification, and genuine care for the environment.

Experts at the WorldFood Poland 2025 debate pointed out that Poland needs not only greater recognition of this mark but also promotion of its own products. It is not just about supplying raw materials to foreign processors. It is equally important to build pride in Polish organic farming, highlight its unique features, and consistently build a brand that will be recognizable both domestically and abroad.

For many people, organic food is becoming a luxury good. On top of that comes the issue of availability.

Strategies for the future – what do experts recommend?

During the debate at WorldFood Poland 2025, experts agreed that the future of the organic market depends on systemic and long-term actions. One of the most important ideas is a collective nutrition law that would allow restaurants, schools, and hospitals using certified organic food to be distinguished. This solution would have a double effect – promotion and automatic marketing, while at the same time providing real support for local farmers.

The discussion also frequently returned to the topic of shortening the supply chain. Without strong cooperation among producers and the development of local markets, farmers will continue to struggle with the profitability of sales. Experts also pointed to the need for professionalization both in logistics and in production itself, in order to reduce costs at every stage. An important element of the strategy is support for processing in Poland, so that raw materials do not go abroad but are processed locally and return to consumers as value-added products. Youth should not be forgotten either, since introducing organic products into schools and school shops is an investment in future generations of conscious consumers.

Summary

The debate at WorldFood Poland 2025 showed that Polish organic food has enormous potential, but the market faces many barriers such as production costs, sales difficulties, high consumer prices, and a lack of knowledge and trust in the system itself. Experts agreed that the foundation for further development must be education and promotion – both among farmers and consumers.

Equally important are systemic measures, such as supporting processing in Poland, shortening supply chains, or introducing new legal regulations like the collective nutrition law. If these elements can be combined, Polish organic food may become not only a healthy choice for consumers but also a source of pride on the European market.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How does organic food differ from conventional food?

Organic food is produced using natural farming and breeding methods, without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or GMOs. Conventional production, on the other hand, uses intensive plant protection products and fertilization, which translates into higher yields but often at the expense of the environment and soil quality.

What trends are shaping the future of the organic food market?

The most important trends include:

Is organic food healthier than traditional food?

Research indicates that organic food often contains more antioxidants, fewer pesticide residues, and a more favorable fatty acid profile. However, the impact on health also depends on the overall diet and lifestyle, not just the source of the products.

How is demand for organic products changing in Poland and worldwide?

Globally, the organic food market is growing dynamically, especially in developed countries. In Poland, interest is also increasing, although the share of the organic market in total food sales is still smaller than in Western Europe.

What technologies support the development of organic production?

In organic farming, drones, artificial intelligence, crop monitoring systems, as well as innovative composting methods and natural plant protection are increasingly being used. These technologies help increase efficiency without losing the organic nature of production.

What are the challenges and barriers for organic food producers?

The biggest barriers are higher production costs, lower yields, complex certification procedures, and limited consumer awareness. Producers must also compete on price with cheaper conventional food.

Can organic food become cheaper and more accessible?

Price reductions are possible thanks to technological development, increased production scale, and public policy support. Growing demand and new distribution channels (e.g., online shopping) also contribute to greater availability.

How does organic farming affect the environment and climate?

Organic farming supports biodiversity, improves soil quality, and reduces water pollution. It can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, although lower yields require larger cultivation areas.

What legal regulations on organic food may appear in the future?

More restrictive labeling standards, uniform international quality standards, and systems supporting supply chain transparency through blockchain technologies can be expected.

How do consumers perceive certificates and labels of organic products?

Certificates such as EU Organic or BIO are, for many consumers, confirmation of the quality and authenticity of products. At the same time, some customers still struggle to distinguish between different labels, which creates a need for education and clear communication from producers.