Estonia has the third highest share of organic farming in European Union and is one of EIT-Food’s RIS countries

Organic farming as a big chance for Estonian agriculture

Despite the demanding climate conditions connected to geographical location, Estonia possesses environmentally clean and fertile soil, which is reflected in local produce containing considerably less chemicals and growing popularity of organic farming. Specific products are exported – e.g. cultivated and wild berries, mushrooms, ecologically pure produce, dairy products, meat, fish, and beverages.

The country is an attractive environment for research with top level infrastructure and well-educated labour force. R&D activity is concentrated on top tier-research.

The country possesses environmentally clean and fertile soil, which is reflected in local produce containing considerably less chemicals and organic farming that gaining popularity. Out of 957 510 ha of farmland of Estonia, ca 15.7% of it constitutes organic farming, which is the third highest share of any EU country (Eurostat, 2014). A strong emphasis is put on high nature value and agri-environmental issues, with 16.5% of the country defined under NATURA 2000 (including 55,000 ha of farmland).

Room for Improvement

Estonia is one of the leading countries in European Union in terms of the publication of articles on agri-food subjects, which implies a meaningful research potential that can be fostered through EIT education activities.

EIT Food Hub in Estonia: BioCC LLC

BioCC is a privately owned R&D company, established by food and feed producers and universities to bridge the gap between scientific and economic innovation by providing a collective environment for academics, industry and other innovation actors and creating sufficient critical mass. BioCC carries out internationally recognized R&D to create, develop and implement innovative biotechnological solutions for feed and foodstuff.