Over 2,100 new organic farmers are set to enter conversion in January, and pending compliance, will have organic produce ready for market in January 2025.

The converting farmers will join over 2,000 already converting or certified organic, under the Organic Farming Scheme 2023, the deadline for which was Friday 9 December.

The Irish Organic Association (IOA) says it processed approximately 1,300 new organic members and the Organic Trust confirmed it has 820 to 830 members currently on its books.

IOA boss Gillian Westbrook said more than 80% of the new entrants are beef or sheep farmers, some of whom have small tillage enterprises. She also confirmed that fewer than 10 of the IOA’s 1,300 new members are dairy farmers.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett said it is her “intention” that all eligible farmers will be accepted into the scheme and noted that the organic budget of €250m over the next five years will have to be revisited if required.

Flood of late applications as organic farmers break 3,100

Over 2,100 new organic farmers to enter conversion

The Irish Organic Association (IOA) and Organic Trust have reported to have more than 2,100 new organic entrants between them.