{"id":122807,"date":"2026-02-09T10:59:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T09:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/?p=122807"},"modified":"2026-02-09T15:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T14:40:55","slug":"ifoam-organics-international-trust-in-organic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/en\/2026\/02\/09\/ifoam-organics-international-trust-in-organic\/","title":{"rendered":"Why trust in organic varies and what are we doing about it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a spiralling global demand for organic products. Data from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture showed that global organic markets totalled 136.4 billion euros in 2023, a sharp surge from 15.1 billion euros in 2000.<\/p>\n

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However, in the three major organic markets in the world \u2013 the United States (59 billion euros), Germany (16.1 billion euros), and China (12.6 billion euros) \u2013 rising demand does not always translate into rising trust in organic products or a positive perception of organic<\/strong> practices.<\/p>\n

The gap between market expansion and consumer confidence highlights a critical challenge for the organic sector: the need for clearer, more consistent, and more compelling communication to help consumers understand what \u201corganic\u201d truly stands for<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Studies suggested that most respondents chose organic for health reasons<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What do consumers think of organic?<\/h2>\n

How is organic perceived in the three biggest markets? A Th\u00fcnen Institute policy brief (2025) identified a loss of trust in organic products<\/strong> among German consumers. Across the Atlantic, data from the Organic Trade Association suggested that the USDA Organic seal is the most trusted agriculture label<\/strong> in the country. In China, a study published in Sustainability (2023) found that the growing interest in organic food was undermined by a confidence crisis. Those mixed perceptions underscore the importance of examining the underlying factors that reinforce or undermine trust in organic<\/strong> \u2013 a closer look that is essential for understanding where communication must improve.<\/p>\n

Studies suggested that most respondents chose organic for health reasons<\/strong>. German consumers prefer organic products for the absence of antibiotics in animal husbandry and of synthetic pesticides in crop cultivation. Likewise, U.S. shoppers see value in certified organic food as being free from toxins, synthetic pesticides, hormones or genetically modified organisms<\/strong>. To Chinese consumers, organically certified products, which follow internationally approved standards, are safer and more trustworthy.<\/p>\n

German consumers also treasured the higher transparency in the origin of food and farming practices<\/strong>, especially at farm shops or weekly markets where they have personal interaction<\/strong> with growers.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Christiana Choi, Communications & Membership Coordinator at IFOAM – Organics International.<\/p>\n

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  • Further information available at www.ifoam.bio<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Published in the BIOFACH 2026 Bio Eco Actual Special Edition.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Subscribe<\/a> to Bio Eco Actual Newsletter and be up to date with the latest news from the Organic Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Bio Eco Actual<\/strong>, International Organic Newspaper
    \n     Read the BIOFACH 2026 Bio Eco Actual Special Edition<\/a> <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n