Organic food demand hits new high in Austria

Demand for organic food in Austria reached a new high in the first half of 2026, according to Bio Austria, ORF Salzburg reports. Organic products account for around 13 percent of retail purchases, the Austrian agricultural marketing agency AMA says, with vegetables and flour among the most popular items.

Salzburg plays an important role in organic production and trade. At the Lerchenmühle, a mill in Golling in the Tennengau region, grain has been processed for more than 500 years. Today, 85 percent of its products come from organic farming. The mill supplies its own shop and numerous retailers, and has steadily expanded production in recent years.

“This change in awareness has been under way for several years. Demand for organic quality keeps growing,” said mill manager Gerhard Wieser.

Retail group SPAR has been expanding its organic range for more than 30 years. It now includes around 2,500 products, from dairy items to a wide range of specialities. Many customers continue to choose organic food despite its higher prices.

SPAR spokeswoman Nicole Berkmann said organic products had not risen as sharply in price during the inflation surge three years ago. “You don’t need mineral fertilisers or pesticides,” she said.

Sales of organic food also rose significantly during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Andreas Schwaighofer, head of Bio Austria Salzburg, described the products as top quality at customer-friendly prices.

Almost half of Salzburg’s farms are managed organically, making the state one of Austria’s leading regions for organic farming. After declines in recent years, the number of organic farms is also showing signs of recovery, with new farms being added.