PROCEEDINGS

WHY ORGANICS – THE CASE FOR ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING

Plenary panel: Marie Trydeman Knudsen, University of Aarhus, Pascale Bonzom, IUCN, Christine Watson, Scotland’s Rural College, Wiebke Niether, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Britta Riis, CEO Animal Protection Denmark, Mwatima Juma, Chair: Tanzania Organic Agricultural Movement (TOAM), Amaia Aldana, Technical Director, IOAS, Moderator: Eduardo Cuoco

KEY CONCLUSIONS, CASES & IDEAS

Organic farming delivers broad benefits for society and the environment. Healthy soils absorb more water, lowering flood
risks, and act as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change. By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, organic practices
protect water quality and create more resilient landscapes against weather extremes.

Reversing the Biodiversity Decline

Agriculture is the largest driver of biodiversity loss, yet organic farming preserves landscape complexity, supports
ecosystem functions, and creates benefits beyond the farm. Scaling organic production alongside ecosystem-oriented
schemes and partnerships can help reverse biodiversity decline.

Animal Welfare and Balanced Food Systems

Organic systems offer animals more natural living conditions and significantly higher welfare. But long-term progress also
requires a food system with fewer animals and less meat consumption to balance welfare gains with climate goals.

Certification Builds Trust

Certification ensures credibility, fairness, and consumer trust through shared international standards. Stronger
harmonisation would simplify recognition across markets and reinforce confidence in organic products.

Building value beyond price

Meny and Naturmælk stressed the need to communicate the deeper value of organic – welfare, sustainability, and
quality. Storytelling, local adaptation, and partnerships (e.g., Aarstiderne “shop-in-shops” and Danish food heritage
concepts) were used to make organic part of a broader cultural and culinary narrative.

Supplier–retailer collaboration

Co-creation with farmers and suppliers is essential for innovation and consumer trust. Lidl learned that perceived
hurdles disappeared once farmers were directly involved, while Meny defined a partnership strategy to boost close
collaborators and facilitate cross-supplier innovation.

Consumer segmentation and youth engagement

Strategies must address diverse consumer groups – from budget-sensitive households to quality-driven buyers – and
especially engage younger generations, who often discuss plant-based diets but not organic. New campaigns are needed
to clarify organic’s unique benefits in a crowded “green label” market.

Strategic gaps and opportunities

The organic sector suffers from weak campaigning, fragmented labeling, and competition from greenwashing. Long-term
growth requires renewed collaboration between governments, NGOs, and retailers, clearer economic incentives, and a
strong, unified narrative showing why organic is the most trustworthy and sustainable choice.

ROLE OF RETAIL: HOW CAN WE INCREASE ORGANIC SALES? BEST CASES FROM DANISH AND INTERNATIONAL RETAIL CHAINS

Plenary panel: Imre ter Hedde, Sustainability Specialist, Lidl Nederland, Kristine Pilgaard, Commercial Director, Meny (DK), Leif Jørgensen, CEO, Naturmælk (DK), Jerome Cinel, Interbio Nouvell Aquitaine, France.
Moderator: Mette Gammicchia, Danish Agriculture & Food Council

KEY CONCLUSIONS, CASES & IDEAS

Retailers and producers agreed that organic growth depends on both price competitiveness and a strong value narrative
that highlights welfare, sustainability, and quality. Collaboration between farmers and retailers is key for innovation and
consumer trust, while targeted strategies are needed to engage diverse consumer groups – especially younger generations.
To secure long-term growth, the organic sector must overcome fragmented labeling, greenwashing, and weak campaigning
by uniting behind clear incentives and a compelling story of why organic is the most credible sustainable choice.

Retailers as drivers of affordability and accessibility

Lidl highlighted the importance of discounters in making organic affordable, introducing monthly discounts and focusing
on price as the key long-term strategy. Price gaps directly determine sales: smaller gaps increase organic consumption,
while larger ones reduce it.

Building value beyond price

Meny and Naturmælk stressed the need to communicate the deeper value of organic – welfare, sustainability, and
quality. Storytelling, local adaptation, and partnerships (e.g., Aarstiderne “shop-in-shops” and Danish food heritage
concepts) were used to make organic part of a broader cultural and culinary narrative.

Supplier–retailer collaboration

Co-creation with farmers and suppliers is essential for innovation and consumer trust. Lidl learned that perceived
hurdles disappeared once farmers were directly involved, while Meny defined a partnership strategy to boost close
collaborators and facilitate cross-supplier innovation.

Consumer segmentation and youth engagement

Strategies must address diverse consumer groups – from budget-sensitive households to quality-driven buyers – and
especially engage younger generations, who often discuss plant-based diets but not organic. New campaigns are needed
to clarify organic’s unique benefits in a crowded “green label” market.

Strategic gaps and opportunities

The organic sector suffers from weak campaigning, fragmented labeling, and competition from greenwashing. Long-term
growth requires renewed collaboration between governments, NGOs, and retailers, clearer economic incentives, and a
strong, unified narrative showing why organic is the most trustworthy and sustainable choice.

HOW TO SCALE AND FINANCE – HOW DOES ORGANIC FARMING FIT INTO STRATEGIES OF DEVELOPING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Plenary panel: Ronnie Brathwaite, Senior Agriculture Officer, PhD, Plant Production & Protection Division FAO, Esben Lunde Larsen, Senior One Health Specialist, World Bank, Dr. Robert Mbeche, Director, World Resources Institute Food Program, Lasse Bruun, Director, Climate & Food UN Foundation, Claus Felby, Vice President, Biotech Novo Nordisk Foundation, Hanne Søndergaard, Executive Vice, Moderator: Ditte Brasso Sørensen, Deputy Director, Think Thank Europa

KEY CONCLUSIONS, CASES & IDEAS

Reconnect with younger generations

The organic movement has lost touch with youth. Building stronger ties through education, storytelling, and highlighting health and taste benefits is critical to growing future demand and ensuring organics are not seen as a niche lifestyle.

Embrace innovation and technology

The current state of organic agriculture cannot alone address global food and climate challenges. To play a central role,
organics must accelerate innovation and technology.

Transitioning is risky for farmers

Shifting from conventional to organic farming is costly and uncertain. Farmers lack adequate tools, financial support, and
practical solutions compared to conventional farming. More investment, advisory support, and accessible data are needed
to lower entry barriers.

Policy and systemic support are decisive

Where governments actively support organic agriculture, like in Denmark, transformation has been faster and more
effective. Policy incentives, certification systems, and cross-sector cooperation will determine whether organic farming
remains marginal or becomes mainstream.

Equity and sovereignty must be addressed

Organic farming cannot be scaled without considering who owns and controls food production, and how food is
distributed globally. Bridging inequalities in diets and access – between regions such as the US and Africa – will be
essential.