Where did the number of organic farms rise sharply?

In 2011, there were 1.400 organic farms in the Netherlands. That number increased to 2016 companies in 1.423. But in which municipality did the number of organic farms increase the fastest between 2011 and 2016? That gives a new top 5 Boerenbusiness, compiled by CBS, answer to. 

Earlier this month it emerged that most organic companies can be found in Dronten. Has that municipality also shown the largest increase in the number of organic companies in recent years?

Which municipality is at the top?
The top 5 is indeed headed by the municipality of Dronten (Flevoland). In 2011, that municipality had a total of 449 agricultural companies. At the time, 53 of that number were organic. In 2016, the total number of companies fell to 431, but the number of organic companies increased to 66. This means that the municipality shows an increase of 13 organic companies. This is a percentage increase of 25%. 

In second place is the municipality of Ede (Gelderland). In 2011, there were 894 agricultural businesses in that municipality. Of these, 41 companies were organic. In 2016, the total number of agricultural companies decreased to 722. However, the number of organic companies has increased to 53, an increase of 12 companies. This means that the percentage increase in this municipality is greater than that of the municipality of Dronten, namely 29%.

In third place is the municipality of Barneveld (Gelderland). In 2011, there were 675 agricultural companies in this municipality. Of that number, 38 companies were organic. In 2016, the total number of companies decreased to 556 companies. However, the number of organic farms has increased to 48 in that period. That is an increase of 10 farms. The percentage increase is 26%. 

Number 4 and 5
The municipality of West Maas en Waal (Gelderland) is fishing just next to the boat. In 2011, that municipality had 233 agricultural businesses, 5 of which were organic. In 2016, the number of agricultural companies fell to 179, but the number of organic companies increased to 13. That is an increase of 8 companies. However, this municipality does show the largest percentage increase, namely 160%. 

The municipality of Noordoostpolder (Flevoland) ranks fifth and last in this top 5. In 2011, that municipality still had 937 agricultural companies. Of that number, 42 companies were organic at the time.

In 2016, the total number of companies fell to 843, but the number of organic companies managed to increase to 50. This means that the Noordoostpolder municipality shows an increase of 8 companies, which amounts to a percentage increase of 19%. 

Who exactly shows the biggest decline?
In the municipality of Sluis (Zeeland), the number of organic farms has actually decreased considerably. In 2011, there were 560 agricultural businesses in that municipality, 14 of which were organic. In 2016 the number of agricultural companies amounted to 505. In that year the number of organic companies fell to 12. That is a decrease of 2 companies and a decrease in percentage of 14%. 

The municipality of Dongeradeel (Friesland) has remained stable over the years. The number of agricultural companies in that municipality decreased from 292 in 2011 to 230 in 2016. However, the number of organic companies remained at 10. 

The change in the number of organic farms (2011 - 2016)

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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