Organic farms receive a significant economic boost – dairy producers more than triple their results
Økologisk NuThere was a significant improvement in the economy of organic farms in 2025. After a year with much better results, full-time organic farms on average had 2.7 million DKK remaining after accounting for income from farming against operating costs. This was 1.9 million DKK more than in 2024 and the largest increase among the three groups compared by Statistics Denmark: organic farms, conventional farms, and horticultural businesses. Conventional farms also ended with an average result of 2.7 million DKK, while horticultural businesses had just under 1 million DKK remaining. At the same time, the return on investment for organic farms increased to 6.4%. This is the highest level in Denmark Statistics' records, which go back to 2008. This information is based on new financial statements from Statistics Denmark. Organic dairy producers saw a marked improvement. It was mainly the organic dairy producers that pulled the average up. In 2024, they had an average operating result of 1.3 million DKK. The following year, it increased to 4.4 million DKK—a gain of over 3 million DKK per farm. Organic poultry and pig producers also received more money back when this year's income and operating costs were calculated. Poultry farms went from just under 2 million DKK in 2024 to 2.6 million DKK in 2025, while pig producers improved their results from 1.3 million DKK to nearly 2 million DKK. According to Statistics Denmark, the improvement among these groups is partly due to rising prices for organic products in 2025. Organic crop growers turned their finances around during the year. In 2024, they had an average deficit of 800,000 DKK. By 2025, the situation had reversed, and they recorded a surplus of 865,000 DKK. The explanation, according to Statistics Denmark, is both higher income from production and lower operating costs. Income from crop production—the gross yield—increased from 4.9 million DKK to nearly 5.9 million DKK. Grain was the largest source of income, accounting for 2.4 million DKK or 40% of the total income from production for crop growers in 2025. The improvement also meant that all four types of full-time organic farms—dairy producers, pig producers, poultry producers, and crop growers—had a positive average operating result in 2025. Fewer organic farms despite better economics. Although the financial reports look better, the number of full-time organic farms is decreasing. In 2025, there were 550 organic full-time farms in Denmark, 22 fewer than the previous year, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. The trend varies across different sectors. The number of organic dairy farms fell from 292 in 2024 to 247 in 2025. Conversely, the number of organic crop farms increased from 130 to 144, while organic poultry farms grew from 40 to 50. The number of organic pig farms decreased from 41 to 40. These new figures show that the economic improvements have not been enough to reverse the overall decline in the total number of organic full-time farms. Conventional dairy producers earned the most. Among conventional farms, dairy producers also had the best result in 2025. They had an average operating result of 5.2 million DKK remaining. For poultry producers, the amount was 3.6 million DKK, while pig producers reached 2.2 million DKK. Conventional crop growers had the lowest result among the recorded types of farming, with 1.1 million DKK, though this was an improvement from 747,000 DKK in 2024. Looking at the return on capital—how much profit the farms generate relative to the capital invested—conventional dairy producers ranked highest at 10.7%. Organic poultry producers followed with 8.5%, close to the 8.4% of conventional poultry producers. Organic dairy producers had an return on investment of 8.2%. Overall, organic full-time farms had a higher return on investment than conventional farms, but the figures hide significant differences between the various sectors.
There was significant progress in the economy of organic farms in 2025.
After a year with much better results, full-time organic farms on average had 2.7 million DKK remaining when farm income was calculated against operating costs.
This was 1.9 million DKK more than in 2024 and the largest increase among the three groups compared by Statistics Denmark: organic farms, conventional farms, and horticultural businesses.
The conventional farms also ended with an average result of 2.7 million DKK, while horticultural businesses had just under 1 million DKK remaining.
At the same time, the return on assets for organic farms rose to 6.4%. This is the highest level in Statistics Denmark's records, which go back to 2008.
This is according to new financial statements from Statistics Denmark.
Organic dairy producers in significant progress
It was especially the organic dairy producers that pulled the average up.
In 2024, they had an average operating result of 1.3 million DKK. The following year, it increased to 4.4 million DKK – an improvement of over 3 million DKK per farm.
Also, organic poultry and pig producers received more money back when this year's income and operating costs were calculated.
The poultry farms went from just under 2 million DKK in 2024 to 2.6 million DKK in 2025, while pig producers improved their results from 1.3 million DKK to nearly 2 million DKK.
According to Statistics Denmark, the progress is partly due to rising prices for organic products in 2025.
Crop growers went from red to black figures
Also, organic crop growers managed to turn their finances around during the year.
In 2024, they had an average deficit of 800,000 DKK. By 2025, the picture had changed, and they recorded a surplus of 865,000 DKK instead.
The explanation, according to Statistics Denmark, is both higher income from production and lower operating costs.
The income from crop growers' production – gross yield – increased from 4.9 million DKK to nearly 5.9 million DKK.
Cereals were the largest source of income. With 2.4 million DKK, cereals accounted for 40% of crop growers' total income from production in 2025.
The improvement also meant that all four types of full-time organic farms – dairy producers, pig producers, poultry producers, and crop growers – had a positive average operating result in 2025.
Fewer organic farms despite better economy
Although the financial statements look better, the number of organic full-time farms is decreasing.
In 2025, there were 550 organic full-time farms in Denmark. That is 22 fewer than the year before and the fourth consecutive year of decline.
The development varies across the different production sectors.
The number of organic dairy farms fell from 292 in 2024 to 247 in 2025. Conversely, the number of organic crop farms increased from 130 to 144, while the number of organic poultry farms grew from 40 to 50.
The number of organic pig farms decreased from 41 to 40.
The new figures thus show that the economic progress has not been enough to reverse the overall trend in the total number of organic full-time farms.
Conventional dairy producers earn the most
Among conventional farms, it was also dairy producers who had the best result in 2025.
They had an average of 5.2 million DKK remaining in operating profit. For poultry producers, the amount was 3.6 million DKK, while pig producers reached 2.2 million DKK.
The conventional crop growers had the lowest result among the recorded farm types, with 1.1 million DKK. However, this was an improvement from 747,000 DKK in 2024.
Looking instead at the return generated relative to the capital tied up in the business, conventional dairy producers ranked highest with 10.7%.
Organic poultry producers followed with 8.5%, close to the 8.4% of conventional poultry producers. Organic dairy producers had a return on assets of 8.2%.
Overall, organic full-time farms had a higher return on assets than conventional farms. But the figures hide significant differences between the individual production sectors.