Organic farmland continues to expand in Latvia, Madona region leads the way
For the first time, organic farmland has exceeded 40% of agricultural land in two Latvian regions, according to the Bio Top 500 ranking compiled by the Latvian Association of Organic Agriculture. Nationally, organic farming now covers about a fifth of all agricultural land.
According to the Bio Top 500 ranking of administrative territories compiled by the Latvian Association of Organic Agriculture (LBLA), the area of organically managed farmland in Latvia has grown to 350,900 hectares — roughly a fifth of all agricultural land in the country. Nineteen regions now report organic farming shares above the national average.
Madona region in the lead
For the first time, two regions have crossed the 40% threshold: Madona (43%) and Alūksne (40%), followed by Balvi (39%) and Cēsis and Ludza (both 37%). Madona region also leads in absolute organic farmland area, with 33,100 hectares, and in the number of certified organic farms, with 285. The lowest shares of organic farmland are found in several Pierīga regions and in Zemgale, including Jelgava and Dobele regions, both at 3%.
Kuldīga among the greenest towns
By share of organic land, the greenest parish is Lapmežciems in Tukums region, at 88%, while by area the leader is Šķilbēni parish in Balvi region, with 3,471 hectares. Among towns, Salacgrīva leads with 82%, followed by Kuldīga at 78% and Ilūkste at 56%.
Benefits and calls to action
Industry representatives say a higher share of organic farmland benefits both local economies and the environment by reducing reliance on pesticides and mineral fertilisers. Rising costs in conventional farming are prompting more farmers to switch to organic methods. In more than 40 parishes, organic land already accounts for over half of the agricultural area. Industry representatives are calling on municipalities to introduce real estate tax relief for organic farmland, a practice already in place in Sigulda, Cēsis, Limbaži, Tukums and Talsi regions.
