How does the organic picture compare across the UK? In January 2007, 48% of the UK's organically managed land was in England, 1.5% in Northern Ireland, 38% in Scotland and 13% in Wales. Land in conversion accounted for 19% of the UK's organically managed land, with all countries in the UK seeing growth – Scotland at 110%, England 24%, Northern Ireland 25% and Wales 20%.
England

In January 2007, there were 64,465 ha of in-conversion land in England an increase of 24% since 2006, and 227,493 ha of fully organic land, a decrease of 4% since 2006. The number of organic and in-conversion producers increased by 7% from 2,807 in January 2006 to 3,003 in January 2007. In total, 48% of the UK’s organically managed land and 65% of the UK’s organic and in-conversion producers are now in England.

The Southwest has the largest area of organically managed land in England and the area of land entering conversion increased faster than any other region at 42%. In total, 28% of the UK’s organic producers are based in the Southwest, more than in any other region.

In Yorkshire and the Humber and in the Southeast of England the area of organically managed land increased by 7.3% and 6.5% respectively, compared to an English average of 0.8% and the Northeast saw a 13% increase in the number of organic producers – higher than in any other region.

Scotland

In Scotland the area of organically managed land decreased by 6% from 247,669 ha in January 2006 to 233,735 ha in January 2007, 38% of the UK’s organically managed land is in Scotland. Within this the area of fully organic land decreased by 14% to 198,676 ha as some large hill farms continue to withdraw from organic production at the end of their organic aid scheme agreements, however, the decline in fully organic land in Scotland appears to be slowing and the area of in-conversion land increased by 110%, faster than in any other UK country, to 35,059 ha in January 2007. In January 2007, there were 686 organic producers in Scotland, 15% of the UK total.

Northern Ireland

In January 2007, there were 9,051 ha of organically managed land in Northern Ireland, an increase of 6% on the previous year. Within this there were 3,958 ha of in-conversion land, a 25% increase on the previous year and 5,093 ha of fully organic land, a 5% decrease since January 2006. The number of organic and in-conversion producers in Northern Ireland increased by 10%, faster than in any other UK country, to 240 in January 2007.

Wales

In January 2007, there were 78,725 ha of organically managed land in Wales, an 11% increase on the previous year. Wales was the only country in the UK to see an increase in fully organic land – of 10% in the year to January 2007

In January 2007, 93% of the organically managed land in Wales was grassland (an 11% increase since January 2006), 0.7% was horticultural (a 48% increase), 4% was arable (a 10% increase) and the remaining 1.3% was woodland, fodder, silage and other crops. In January 2007, there were 710 organic and in-conversion producers in Wales, an increase of 4% since January 2006.