Applications are now being accepted for the fifth edition of the annual EU Organic Awards, which recognise innovation and sustainability in the sector.

The awards aim to recognise and honour European producers who play a significant role in enhancing, developing, and innovating the organic value chain.

The initiative is jointly organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, IFOAM Organics Europe and Copa Cogeca.

Organisers say they are looking for "excellent, innovative, sustainable, and replicable projects/businesses", which demonstrate new approaches contributing to the growth of the EU organic sector.

EU Organic Awards

In 2026, the EU Organic Awards scheme will comprise six categories and seven prizes, as follows:

Best organic farmer (female and male); 
Best organic city; 
Best organic region/biodistrict; 
Best organic food processing SME (small and medium-sized enterprise); 
Best organic food retailer ;
Best organic restaurant/food service.

Applications must submitted via the online form before April 26, 2026.

The ceremony of the fifth edition of the EU Organic Awards will be held on September 23, 2026, to coincide with EU Organic Day.

The total area under organic farming in the EU continues to increase, and in 2022 covered 16.9 million hectares of agricultural land.

The organic area made up 10.5 % of total EU agricultural land in 2022.

The latest data shows that between 2012 and 2022 there was an estimated increase of 7.4 million hectares, equivalent to a rise of 79%.

Meanwhile, 269 new organic farmers in Ireland are due to participate in the latest tranche of the Organic Farming Scheme this year.