This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive
compensation for actions taken through them.
More and more people are becoming aware of the reputed health benefits of organically grown food, though what constitutes food as “organic” is not widely agreed upon. The broadest definition is that it’s food that’s without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals and isn’t genetically modified. (These are the most contaminated foods you can buy at the grocery store.)
While it is true that organic food’s popularity is growing, it is more expensive than non-organic food. Because of this, the more affluent nations can afford to spend more on organic foods than others.
To compile a list of the countries spending the most on organic foods, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a report by data site Statista, which in turn analyzed data from the World of Organic Agriculture 2022 report, various government bodies, the private sector, and market research companies to calculate the highest per capita amounts spent on organic food for countries around the world. For consistency, amounts are given in euros, even for countries that are not in the Eurozone, and translated into U.S. dollars. The report was published in February 2022, with data as of 2020. Data on gross domestic product per capita came from the World Bank and is as of 2021.
Organic food and drink sales reached almost $130 billion in 2020, according to the organic agricultural institute FiBL. Sales of organic foods increased during the pandemic as more people became conscious of the benefits of organic foods and their possible ability to combat disease and help build strong immune systems. (Organic farming is also good for the environment. When they’re not organic, these are the foods with the worst environmental impact.)
Organic food is more likely to find favor among younger consumers. Americans aged 18 to 29 years have the most positive opinion of it, while those aged 65 years and older are less likely to view it favorably.
Click here to see the countries that spend the most on organic food per person
The nations with the largest organic markets are the United States, Germany, and France, with the U.S. market share at 41%.
On a per-capita basis, eight of the 10 countries that spend the most on organic food are European nations. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada. Denmark and Switzerland had the highest per-capita consumption of organic food of any nation in 2020.
10. Norway
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €83 ($89.89)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $89,154 — #7 highest out of 266 countries
[in-text-ad]
9. Canada
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €112 ($121.29)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $51,988 — #23 highest out of 266 countries
24/7 Wall St.
8. United States
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €148 ($160.28)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $70,249 — #10 highest out of 266 countries
7. Germany
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €180 ($194.93)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $51,204 — #25 highest out of 266 countries
[in-text-ad-2]
6. France
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €188 ($203.60)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $43,659 — #34 highest out of 266 countries
5. Sweden
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €212 ($229.59)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $61,029 — #16 highest out of 266 countries
[in-text-ad]
4. Austria
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €254 ($275.07)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $53,638 — #21 highest out of 266 countries
3. Luxembourg
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €285 ($308.65)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $133,590 — #3 highest out of 266 countries
2. Denmark
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €384 ($415.86)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $68,008 — #14 highest out of 266 countries
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Switzerland
> Amount spent on organic food per person in 2020: €418 ($452.68)
> GDP per capita, 2021: $91,992 — #6 highest out of 266 countries
Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good
Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.