Despite the uncertainty facing the farming industry, growing demand for high-welfare, environmentally friendly food, has resulted in an increase in the number of organic producers.

According to the latest organic farming statistics for 2018 from Defra, the total number of organic producers in the UK increased by more than 2% since 2017 at 3544, despite the fact there are fewer farmers in general.

However, the number of organic processors has declined as has the overall organic land area, indicating a shift away from larger farms.

Organic Farmers and Growers (OF and G) the first organic certification body (OCB) approved by government, contributed to Defra’s annual organic farming data collection, along with other OCBs, said licensees have increased overall by 2.5%, driven by new entrants to organic production.

“Continued growth of consumer demand for high-welfare and environmentally friendly produce has seen organic sales increase steadily in the last seven years, which has in turn triggered an increase in organic farm conversions," said Roger Kerr, chief executive of OF and G.

“Organic farming also continues on its positive trajectory on a global scale, with organic land area and producer numbers at an all-time high.

"Organic land world-wide is growing by 20% annually, and producer numbers are increasing by 5% year-on-year, currently sitting at 2.9m,” he added.

The body certifies half the organic land in the UK and Mr Kerr believes their year-on-year growth is a result of working with a growing number of successful organic businesses.

“Our producers are achieving good economic returns, even in the current economic and political uncertainty facing the agricultural industry. But with increased regulation of agro-chemicals and potential increases in currency volatility affecting the price of inputs and outputs, many businesses are looking to reduce risk. And with policy signals from government, farmers are looking at their options, including organic.”

He said there are high rewards for organic producers, particularly organic cereals.

“Organic farming is a viable business option for those who can make the system work. For instance, when taking both yield and price into consideration, it’s now possible to achieve 90% of conventional outputs in organic cereals with significantly lower variable costs and working capital.

“However, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach and converting an entire arable farm in one go can be quite an overwhelming prospect. But it doesn’t all have to be done at once. An organic system in one part of a farm can work synergistically with conventional enterprises in other areas."

He said careful consideration is key in deciding what areas of a farm would benefit most from switching to organic and implementing agroecological techniques and working with an OF and G certification officer or an Organic Advice, Support and Information Service (OASIS) technical advisor, can help those considering conversion.