Rising fertiliser costs, sustainability concerns and consumer demand are driving a surge in organic farmland in the UK, according to Soil Association Certification.

Figures released by Defra this week show that organic land rose by 7.3% in 2025 reaching 540,000 hectares (ha) – the highest total in more than a decade.

This has largely been driven by Scotland, where land in conversion increased by 115%, rising from 26,000ha in 2024 to 56,000ha in 2025.

Scotland is now at 3.3% organic land share, up from 1.8% in 2021 – just 0.3% shy of hitting the Scottish Government's target to double organic farmland by this parliamentary term, which has just come to an end. 

The figures published this week cover the calendar year for 2025, meaning this target is likely to have been hit or exceeded once early 2026 data is available.

Soil Association Certification Senior Commercial Manager Alison Muirhead said: "Farmers are turning to organic as not only does it provide huge benefits for the environment and wildlife, it also makes good business sense. Even amid cost-of-living pressures, sustainability and health is a big concern for shoppers and consumer demand for organic has been rising for the last 14 years. 

"It's great to see farmers responding so we can better meet that demand with British products instead of imports. Furthermore, fertiliser costs were rising even before the Iran war, so it is unsurprising that farmers are looking for a system that doesn't depend on gas from conflict zones. And with increasingly extreme weather, farmers need the healthy soils that organic delivers, to be more resilient to drought and flooding."

Scotland leads the way for organic
 

Although Scotland has seen a big rise in land in conversion, this is significantly higher than the figures for the rest of the UK and the Soil Association is therefore calling for Organic Action Plans for England and Wales, to follow Scotland's example.

England's land in conversion increased by 23%, rising from 19,600ha in 2024 to 24,200ha in 2025. This is the largest area of land in conversion since 2021, though is still lagging behind Scotland, with the West Midlands seeing the largest increase in land in conversion.

Wales saw a four per cent increase in land in conversion, but fully organic land that has completed the two-year conversion period was down by six per cent.

Alison added: "It is great to see a rise in organic land across most of the UK, but the increase is largely being driven by the appetite in Scotland. England and Wales are lagging way behind as Westminster and the Senedd are not showing as much commitment as the Scottish Government. 

"In Scotland, ministers are actively championing organic for the benefits it can deliver for soils, nature and climate by avoiding harmful, fossil-fuel based inputs. In addition to the target to double organic land, the government has also rolled out a funded Organic Action Plan, which is bringing the supply chain together to break down barriers to making local organic food and drink accessible. 

"Scotland is a great example for how with the right backing from politicians and supply chain experts, we can produce nature-friendly food and drink on healthy, home soils. We therefore urgently need Organic Action Plans for England and Wales so the whole of the UK can feel the benefits organic delivers."