Cork to host European Organic Congress
Cillian Ferry
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced that Cork will host the European Organic Congress 2026 from 6-8 October. It will feature top industry leaders from across Europe in policy, processing, farming, food and state bodies, and is organised by IFOAM Organics Europe, the umbrella organisation for organic food and farming.
This year’s conference theme, Organics: A Strategic Investment in Europe’s Resilience, comes at a crucial moment for the future of European agriculture and more than 200 stakeholders across the organic supply chain will discuss how organics can strengthen Europe’s resilience in uncertain times and what policy and funding priorities are needed to support the sector’s future.
As the challenges of climate, water quality, biodiversity, generational renewal and female participation increase pressure on agriculture, many in Europe see Organics as a key part of the solution for the wider food sector.
Commenting on the event, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said: “I am delighted that IFOAM Organics Europe has chosen to host the European Organic Congress in Cork during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council.
“International events like this are crucial in fostering networking and collaboration across Europe. A strong organic sector makes important contributions to Irish and EU policy priorities of food security and circularity, climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement, water quality, generational renewal and female participation.”
Minister Heydon continued: “Ireland has had huge success in growing organic production over the past five years. As demand for organic food grows globally, so too will opportunities for Irish farmers and processors to grow their share of this lucrative market.
“My department will continue to work with the sector to ensure to provide funding, knowledge and supports to deliver the National Organic Strategy and Action Plan.”
This action plan has clear targets for 2030 in the organic sector, including: increasing the organic area from 5% to 10%, tripling the national supply of organic beef for sale, increasing the supply of sheep meat from 500 tonnes to 3,000, doubling current milk production, increasing poultry production by 50%, encourage to reduce importation numbers which is presently at 70% of retail sales.