By Denicia Dixon, Farrah Walton & Martha Kyriakou
Why Denmark is the world's leader in organic food consumption
People & Politics Final Project
8th of June 2020
Organic vegetable section at Meny grocery store in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Denicia Dixon
Organic eggs from RAA Aarhus, local pop-up shop in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Denicia Dixon
Danish authorities responsible for organic industry
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration is part of the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food which sets rules and regulations about the organic industry and production in Denmark. Within the Ministry, the Danish Agricultural Agency is responsible for the inspection of organic farmers and suppliers of organic feed, seeds, cereals, fertilizers and other non-food products, while the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration inspects organic food companies. The Danish authority responsible for the implementation of the EU and the national organic legislation is the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark.
The red organic Ø-label
Denmark is a shining example and an inspiration worldwide as almost 80 percent of Danes purchase organic products. Additionally, 100 percent of the consumers knew or have heard about the red organic Ø label, which makes it the best known label in all of Denmark, according to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. It is also remarkable that the Ø organic label is 81 percent highly trusted by the Danish citizens. This red organic label stands for less artificial pesticides, for a limit to the amount of additives allowed and that animals are raised according to certain guidelines. As Christina Tønner Jensen, the Project Assistant from Food Nation Denmark stated, “such labels play an important role in maintaining a high level of consumer trust in organic food. It is a strong and trusting collaboration across the public and private sector that has provided a solid foundation for the organic adventure”.
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Organic cuisine Label outside of the "Greenilicious" in Aarhus
Photo by Farrah Walton
Why Denmark has a high rate of organic food consumption
Denmark didn’t obtain its high reputation as one of the world’s leaders when it comes to the organic food industry. Many organizations, politicians, farmers, and the citizens united to make this possible and they will continue to work together in the years to come.
Organic Action Plan 2020 helps Denmark succeed
The Organic Action Plan was created in 2012 by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Denmark to allow the Danish government to further expand and evolve the organic production in Denmark. Denmark has succeeded their goal of doubling the organically cultivated areas by 2020 from the 2007 measure. The Chairman of the Board for Organic Denmark Per Kølster stated “we have managed to get higher than the goal set for doubling organic agriculture in 2020”.
Between the years of 2013-2018, organic food service sales have increased more than two times the original amount. According to Statistics Denmark, the organic consumption in financial terms has almost tripled from approximately 5.5 billion in 2012 to 14 billion in 2019. In 2020 it is now 12 percent. The most common organic foods that Danes purchase at grocery stores are milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, grains, and flour. The types of organic foods the Danes purchase is constantly changing and evolving. According to Organic Denmark, some of the rapidly expanding organic products in 2019 were: potato products and frozen vegetables at 45 percent, spirits at 34 percent, cookies and crackers at 28 percent, rye bread at 21 percent, and wine at 19 percent. In 2017, Denmark set a world record for having more than 13 percent of its food sales be organic.
The Organic Action Plan will ensure that over 800,000 people will get to enjoy well-balanced, healthy, organic meals everyday in hospitals, canteens, and nurseries. Denmark can lead by example to nations all over the world. “It has been a role model for all of Europe” says Per Kølster. This is a main contributor to one of the many reasons why Denmark was awarded silver at the 2018 Future Policy Awards by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Publicly owned land will continue to transform from conventional to organic production. In June of 2019, Denmark created a new political aspiration to double the organically grown areas, consumption, and exports by the year 2030.
Red Ø Organic label of Denmark’s organic food industry
Photo by Denicia Dixon
Freshly grown organic radishes from Gallo Gardinette in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton
Topkaegaard Organic farm entrance sign in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton
Denmark's cares about their health and well-being
Organic production in Denmark has four principles that it is based on. These principles are health, fairness, care, and ecology.
The Danish Agriculture and Food Council Studies states that studies have proven organic food is more nutritional and beneficial to the human body compared to conventional food. They “indicate the presence of certain health promoting factors in organic products”. Some examples of this are “organic dairy products and beef contain significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E”. Another example is that organic vegetables and fruits have higher levels of vitamins and antioxidants, which protect human cells against free radicals.
Hanne Lakkenborg Kristensen, Science Team Leader and Associate professor from Aarhus University stated, “as far as I can see from the scientific literature and our own research and experience with the agricultural industry, you get less pesticides and pesticide residues, which is good for your health”.
Along with having less pesticides, Denmark has also forbidden the use of GMOs, or, genetically modified organisms in organic foods. The Organic Way states that the only ingredients allowed when processing organic foods are those that come from natural origin. Substances like colorants, irradiation, synthetic flavourings, and sweeteners are strictly prohibited.
What the Organic food Industry looks like in Denmark
Organic food is accessible to everyone
Affordable organic food pricing is just one of the many reasons why the organic food consumption in Denmark is so high. The price range is not much higher than the non-organic foods options. This makes it easily accessible to all consumers, while other countries typically over price organic foods. “In many countries you only find organic food in special shops and it is generally much more expensive,” according to Hanne Lakkenborg Kristensen, Science Team Leader and Associate professor, of Aarhus University. The grocery stores provide a wide variety of organic food products which gives customers more options to choose from.
Organic innovative methods
Denmark’s local grocery stores also provide innovative methods such as self-service machines to consumers when shopping organic. An organic milk dispenser is installed in few grocery stores ensuring customers that the milk they are purchasing is 100 percent organic. Customers are required to purchase a glass bottle to help reduce the number of cardboard cartons used and are able to refill the bottle of milk for a cheaper price set at only seven danish krones ($1 USD). An orange juice machine is also available for customers to juice oranges and make their own freshly squeezed orange juice for 30 danish krones ($4.43 USD) per liter. Unpasteurized eggs from free range chickens are also available in grocery stores at 40 danish krones ($6 USD) for a dozen. Denmark also has small local “pop-up” shops that provide strictly organic products such as eggs, whole grains, and vegetables from smaller farms.
Denmark, the mother of organic production
Denmark is a country with long heritage in organic productions and industries. According to the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, representatives of the farming and food industries of Denmark including companies, trade and farmers’ associations, Denmark is one of the first countries in the world to initiate procedures, evolve national organic standards and to pioneer an organic label. At the same time, it is the first country in the world with eight percent of all food sold being organic and moreover, one of the first countries in the world to establish in public kitchens a 60 percent goal with organic products.
Denmark’s organic goals
The Danish organic food market is in a state of alteration as the demographics are annually changing and consumers prefer healthier products and higher-quality food. As a result, the farmland has doubled from 150,000 to 301,000 hectares over 12 year and organic products had a turnover of 12.9 billion kroner, according to Statistics Denmark data. Last but not least, sales of organic products to professional kitchens in Denmark have increased by approximately 170 percent, and 30 municipalities are currently in the process of making their kitchens go organic.
As a consequence and with Danish consumers demanding a greater variety of organic food and products in the industry, Denmark’s ambitious goal is to increase and enlarge organic production. This was achieved with the 2020 Organic Action Plan by the Danish Government as they are hoping to double the sales of organic products in the next five years and outreach a turnover of 26 billion kroner.
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Denmark's red organic label in grocery store
Photo by Denixia Dixon
Red Ø Organic label of Denmark’s organic food industry in Meny grocery store in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Denicia Dixon
Organic label for catering
In addition to the well-known Danish red Ø organic label, there are labels for catering as well, known as Organic Cuisine Label. The Danish Ministry of Food Agriculture and Fisheries has launched labels for utilizing organic food products in public kitchens, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, schools as well as larger businesses since 2009. These labels are available in three versions, the Gold version of 90-100 percent of organic raw ingredients, the Silver version 60-90 percent and the Bronze version 30-60 percent. The large-scale kitchens are able to make use of one of the three organic labels that manifest in what extent the amount of raw materials used are organic. Statistics from the Danish Ministry of Food Agriculture and Fisheries show that more than 248 Danish eating places use 90-100 percent organic raw materials in every meal that is served.
Global recognition
In 2018, Denmark was awarded silver at the UN Future Policy Awards for one of the most efficient organic initiatives in the world. This award honours policies that develop and encourage the transition to sustainable food and agricultural production in cooperation with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Denmark’s organic policies were recognised on a global scale which paves the way for UN goals for environment, nature and climate change.
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Topkaegaard’s local organic pop-up shop in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton
Made by Martha Kyriakou
Local organic stand Gallo Gardinette in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton
The Danish Model can be a guide to every nation's organic industry
The Organic Way - The Danish Model was invented through the combined efforts of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, Organic Denmark and Food Nation. It is a publication that goes into depth about the success of Denmark’s organic food production. It illustrates how Denmark came to be the country with the largest market share of organic food in the world. It also goes into detail about each strength that makes the organic sector “from farm to fork” so unique. These items create the guidelines to having a successful organic production and organic farming in Denmark.
“The fine reputation of organic products is based on the success of Denmark’s agricultural sector,” according to the Danish Model. “This has turned Denmark into a recognised and respected food nation that supplies high quality food to global consumers: food that is known for its high standards of food safety, traceability, quality and sustainability”.
In a world that is constantly changing, evolving, and demanding sustainable foods, Denmark seems to have mastered organic food production.
Denmark's strict food regulations are a success
Denmark has changed the way the public views organic foods. Instead of simply being a mindset, organic foods has turned into a flourishing business. This occurred because there is a high level of consumer trust when it comes to organic foods and Denmark. The strict rules and regulations set in place to govern each facet of the food production in Denmark have caused the Danes to be confident in purchasing organic foods grown. There is a solidified and trustworthy collaboration between the food industry, agricultural organizations, retailers, the public sector, and research institutions.
Denmark is a country with a lot of firsts in this world. In addition to being the country to create the first organic food label, In 1987 they were the first country in the world to inaugurate regulations for organic food production. The regulations set in place ensure high standards of food quality, safety, and sustainability. They were also the first country to establish national organic standards.
The European Union has stricter organic food regulations than other countries, such as the United States, but Denmark’s regulations are even stricter. According to IFOAM EU, the European organization for organic food and farming, Denmark has set regulations for the implementation of the EU legislation on organic farming in addition to sectors which are not covered by the EU legislation. Some examples of Denmark’s stricter food regulations are the abandonment of nitrates when it comes to processing organic foods, not allowing the use of copper in organic food growing, and mandatory additional organic chicken farm planting than required under European Union regulations.
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At least once a year, every organic farm, food company, and food supplier is inspected by the Danish government to ensure they are following all rules and regulations. This does not include random inspections that occur sporadically.
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Organic minimaelk dispensery machine at Meny grocery store in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Denicia Dixon
Local organic pop-up shop, RAA Aarhus in Aarhus, Denmark Photo by Farrah Walton
Local businesses and public institutions provide organic foods too
Denmark’s stand for organic food has even reached many businesses and public institutions in the country. “Some of the largest Danish enterprises provide organic foods in the canteens available to employees.” Providing more organic foods to the nation is seen as a significant factor to increasing the organically agricultural area by the end of 2020.
There are approximately 3,296 restaurants that provide organic food services in Denmark, according to The Organic Cuisine label. This number has increased by a third just within the last year. These many restaurants utilize the organic cuisine label of Denmark that ensures a percentage of the food they serve to customers is organic. Denmark has also made it easier for citizens and tourists to locate restaurants and hotels that serve organic meals. The Danish Veterinary Food Administration and Visit Denmark have collaborated together to develop a guided organic food app. The app shows where all the organic eateries are in Denmark and what percentage of the food they serve is organic. It is available to download on Apple’s app store and Android’s Google Play Store.
Production of organic foods
The process and production behind the organic food industry is a main contributor to why the Danes prefer organic foods. Denmark’s strict organic food production regulations reassures citizens that animals and produce is treated with great quality. “We see the rules set by the Danish authorities, just as a minimum, and we have to be in compliance with it,” said Søren Theilgaard, CEO of Slagtertheilgaard. The Slaghtertheilgaard is a family owned slaughterhouse business in Denmark that sells a wide variety of meat. They have conventional meat, organic meats, and free-range meat. The conventional meat is corn-fed, while the organic and free-range meat is grass-fed. Within the accelerating boom in the organic food industry, an increase of sales of free-range meat has increased rapidly, according to Theilgaard. “I believe it has to do with animal welfare being a priority for some, not just the quality,” said Theilgaard. Denmark makes sure that the animals being consumed are treated properly and the citizens ensure of it too.
The organic agriculture industry makes up about 10% of the farms in Denmark. The top priority of organic farming in Denmark is to continuously improve their products while maintaining sustainability. Most of the Danish organic farmers go through three to five years of specialized training in the organic farming industry, according to Food Nation. This ensures they are knowledgeable about Denmark’s strict regulations of organic farming and can find ways to develop a sustainable farm.
Denmark lives up to high expectations by following the UN sustainable development goals. They utilize these goals to improve in all aspects such as biodiversity, water use, energy and climate, nutrient flow, animal welfare, soil fertility, economy, management and life and quality labor conditions. With the organic agriculture industry aiming to succeed in these 10 areas, Denmark’s organic food industry will continue to be a success.
Denmark buys organic during a health crisis
With the world population’s health at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people in Denmark have chosen the organic route when it comes to grocery shopping.
The organic food industry saw a significant rise specifically in the timing of the lock-down, according to Per Køstler, Chairman of Organic Denmark’s board. Multiple reasons can be accumulated for the increase of organic sales. With previous stay-at-home orders put into place for the citizens of Denmark, restaurant businesses were shut down. This forced people to go to the grocery store and make more home-cooked meals.
“People in Denmark are choosing to buy more organic foods to help the environment, nourish their bodies and also just to know the fact that they are doing something good for the world in a time like this,” said Køstler. Numerous studies have shown that organic foods have multiple benefits not only to the body but to the environment and life on land. The citizens of Denmark are attempting to take care of the world and their bodies during a nation-wide pandemic.
Organic meat at Slaghter Theilgaard store in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton
“Yes, we have American beef, but that’s not free-range of course,” employee at Slaghter Theilgaard store
Henriette Jensen, daily manager of Gallo Gardinette gardening at the organic farming stand in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton
Local organic pop-up shop, RAA Aarhus in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo by Farrah Walton