Organic farming – June 2025: challenges, solutions, trends

June 2025 was marked by a number of important events in organic farming – from a major transformation of regulatory mechanisms to changes in global supply chains. This analysis includes international and Ukrainian cases, figures, and important conclusions.

1️⃣ The collapse of Australian NCO certification

• On June 26, NASAA Certified Organic (NCO), one of Australia’s leading operators, declared bankruptcy. Over 400 brands (Bellamy’s, Fonterra, Swisse) were left without certification
• Australian authorities have set a deadline of September 26 to find a new certifier.
• In practice, this means: export stops, delays, fines, and early contracts for small producers.

📌 Strategic conclusion: chaotic certification poses risks to the brand, access to markets, and consumer trust.

2️⃣ Agricultural education in India: organics as a national focus

• From May 29 to June 8, the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) reached out to 44,000 farmers, 36% of whom were women.
• Topics: sustainable agriculture, chemical-free pest control, drones, nano-fertilizers
• Emphasis on technological organics, where farmers’ knowledge interacts with innovation.

3️⃣ Ukraine: serious steps forward

🔹 Rejection of chaos, implementation of standardized control

• On June 23, an online EU translation seminar “VadeMecum” on official checks was held — 170 participants
• The government of Lower Saxony supported Ukrainian farmers as part of German-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of organics

🔹 Educational infrastructure

• On May 13, the Scientific and Advisory Center for Organic Production was opened at Podolsk University – a step towards a faculty-center of competences.

🔹 Animal husbandry development

• Organic livestock farming becomes a state strategy: subsidies, loans, logistics, exports
• Launch of an online map, simplification of standards for small farms, support for cooperatives.

🔹 Certifier training

• 200 employees of the State Consumer Protection Service have undergone training under the COA program — quality control is guaranteed.

4️⃣ Export sustainability of Ukraine

• Ukraine is among the top 5 exporters of organics to the EU, with 471 thousand hectares of certified land
• Despite the war, Ukrainian organics are highly resilient: farms are flexible to risks and have alternative sales channels.
• In 2023, exports reached $141 million (domestic market — $27 million), demand is stable

5️⃣ Synchronization with the EU—

export +1 billion $

• Negotiations on a new agreement with the EU will allow increasing quotas and bringing standards into line with EU requirements by 2028
• The plan is to bring exports to $1 billion by 2030

6️⃣ Innovations: agricultural cooperation, cartography, accuracy

• IFOAM: the global organic market already exceeds $150 billion.
• MHP: 50% of the area is fertilized with compost, precision farming and our own seeds are used – and it is effective.
• COA and German partners launched a digital online knowledge base — over 600 articles and current practices.

🎯 Conclusions and strategic directions

1. Certification vulnerability: Australian case study nearby.
2. Technological breakthrough: innovations from computers to online experiences.
3. Institutional: certification, education, legislation — catalysts for change.
4. Export: EU standards and geography — +$1 billion is quite realistic.
5. Sustainable farmer: local organics are the most flexible and resilient chain.

✅ Organic farming is no longer a trend, but a real strategy for sustainable development of Ukraine. It is worth acting now to be a leader in the EU and the global segment tomorrow.