Scottish Organic Gathering
Soil Association Scotland, in partnership with Soil Association Certification, will be hosting the inaugural Scottish Organic Gathering on 20 November at Balcaskie Estate in Fife.
The event comes against a backdrop of booming support for organic farming by the Scottish government, leading to a surge in Scottish farmers converting to organic.
The event will bring established organic businesses together with farmers, supply chain stakeholders and policy voices to shape the next chapter for Scottish organic.
View the full agenda and register for free here.
Organic market growth
The organic market is growing UK wide. The Organic Market Report published earlier this year showed continued strong growth of 7.3% for the market in 2024, with organic unit sales growing four times more than non-organic in major retail settings. This growth has continued throughout 2025, with the latest just-released figures showing that organic food and drink sales have grown by 8.8% in value and 4.4% in units, outperforming non-organic at 3.7% and 0.9% respectively (Nielsen IQ June 2025)*.
Despite this, the percentage of land farmed organically has remained stagnant at 3%.
Scotland leading the way in organic conversion
In contrast, Scotland has seen an upsurge in land converted to organic, helped by the Scottish Government’s clear backing of organic farming through the forthcoming Scottish Organic Action Plan. The latest figures from Defra have revealed that Scotland is now markedly outperforming England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the growth of organic land area with 2025 being the sixth consecutive year of growth. Scotland saw a 13% increase in organic farmland (including land in conversion) in 2024, bringing its total to 131,500 hectares.
In contrast, England recorded a marginal 1% rise to 502,800 hectares, while Wales saw an 11% decline, falling to 68,300 hectares.
There has also been an increase in land used for growing organic oats and wheat. The latest figures show the area used for growing organic cereals in 2024 was nearly 5000ha, up 34% from 2018. Organic dairy cattle numbers are also up 18% since 2018 and organic sheep numbers up by 10%**. Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands said: “The significant increase in organic land managed under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is a testament to Scotland's commitment to sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. As at the end of 2024, we’ve seen over 49,000 additional hectares of converted and maintained organic land under AECS management, representing a remarkable 69% increase since 2021.
“This progress brings us closer to meeting our ambitious Programme for Government target of seeking to double the area of land used for organic farming by 2026. Scotland’s farmers and land managers are playing a vital role in enhancing biodiversity, tackling the climate crisis, and building a sustainable future for our rural communities and islands.”
Policy support and market development
David McKay, Co-Director of Soil Association Scotland and Head of Policy in Scotland says "The recent growth in organic land area has been driven by Scottish Government policy – with consistent support for conversion and maintenance through the Agri Environment Climate Scheme, and the removal of the area caps on conversion.
"This has been backed up by a clear political commitment to doubling the organic land area, and delivery of a new Organic Action Plan.
"We know from international experience that action plans can be effective in helping to develop markets for organic produce."
Opportunities for Scottish organic produce
While organic sales in Scotland make up a smaller share of the market than the UK as a whole (less that 1% according to Kantar Worldpanel take home purchasing 52 week ending April 2025), it has nevertheless seen the strongest growth in organic engagement according to Kantar Worldpanel.
As Scottish organic agriculture grows, Soil Association and Soil Association Certification believe its time to get more Scottish grown, organic products onto retailer’s shelves and UK dinner plates and find new routes for organic produce.
Scottish Organic Gathering panels
Various panels at the Scottish Organic Gathering will set out ways to do this:
- Getting organic into catering with Stuart Aitken, Head of Food Scotland at catering giants BaxterStorey
- Successful marketing interventions for positioning organic on the shelf with Alexandra Sadler of Edinburgh University.
- Making the "whole organic farm" pay with Adrian Steele, organic farmer and Organic Sector Development Advisor at Soil Association – discussing organic impact at a farm-level.
The dynamic event – which is free to attend – will include a Farm tour of Balcaskie Estate, a farm currently in organic conversion to showcase organic systems. There will also be a locally sourced organic lunch, demonstrating first-hand the amazing organic produce coming from Scotland’s fields.
Whether you’re new to organic, a seasoned grower, a processor, buyer or advisor – this is your chance to be part of a growing movement and help scale organic in Scotland.
References
- * Nielsen Scantrack data for the Organic Food & Drink category Soil Association Certification defined for the 52 week period ending 7th June 2025 GB Total Coverage @ 2025 Nielsen IQ
- **Soil Association Scotland, 2024