Ministers have published a plan to expand organic food production in England, aiming to help farmers win a bigger slice of a market now worth more than £3.9 billion a year, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Organic Action Plan was launched by Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle. It sets out advice and support for farmers weighing up a move to organic methods, plus measures to improve supply chains so organic goods reach supermarket shelves and restaurant kitchens more quickly, and to open new markets at home and overseas.
One aim is to raise the share of agricultural land farmed organically from roughly 3.4% to around 10% by 2036. The government says the plan turns its Farming Roadmap to 2050 commitment into practice and should give farmers more confidence to invest.
The plan rests on three areas: backing existing and new organic producers and processors; aligning domestic supply more closely with demand; and building demand for English organic products through greater consumer awareness and public sector procurement. It also points to the potential gains for soil health, biodiversity, water quality and animal welfare, while leaving farmers free to choose the production systems that suit their businesses. Shoppers are promised more organic choice in supermarkets, local shops and restaurants, with more of it grown in England.
Key points
- Sales — organic food is worth over £3.9 billion a year in the UK and still growing.
- Land target — the plan aims to move organic farming from about 3.4% of English agricultural land towards 10% by 2036.
- Support — advice and backing for farmers considering the switch, plus work on supply chains and new markets.
Farms such as Shimpling Park Farm in Suffolk are cited as examples of organic production at scale, regenerating soils, cutting carbon emissions and encouraging wildlife while supporting neighbouring farms. Riverford Organic Farmers in Devon is also highlighted, with about 70% of the produce in its boxes grown in the UK and long-term relationships giving growers a secure route to market.
Sos Stopes, co-chair of the English Organic Forum, called the publication encouraging and said the sector had worked hard with Defra on a credible plan. Adrian Steele, the forum's other co-chair, said more organic land could help meet wider environmental goals, from healthier soils and cleaner water to more biodiversity and less reliance on artificial inputs. Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning said organic farming was a key solution to the climate and nature crises without taking land out of food production.
What it means in practice
This is a strategy document, so nothing changes on your weekly shop tomorrow. What it signals is where support and public money are likely to flow over the next decade, and how that could reach your basket, your local farm and the restaurants you use.
- Food prices and choice — more English organic produce on shelves and menus could ease reliance on imports, though shoppers should not expect instant price cuts.
- Farming decisions — growers thinking about converting can look for the new advice and supply chain measures as the plan is rolled out; conversion takes time and money, so read the detail before committing.
- Public spending — procurement by schools, hospitals and other public bodies is one lever, so watch for organic appearing in catering contracts where you live.
