Organic farming is an agricultural method to produce food and feed using natural substances and processes. Its key contribution to a more sustainable agriculture is acknowledged in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). An action plan for the development of organic production in the EU was adopted in 2021[a] to support both production and consumption, and to further enhance sustainability, in line with the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy[b] and the Biodiversity Strategy. Data available on EU production and consumption of organic food show a growing trend in the 2010-2020 decade. With 14.8 million ha in 2020, the area under organic farming represented 9.1% [c] of the total EU agricultural land and close to 20% of the area under organic farming in the world. The largest share was dedicated to permanent grassland (42%), followed by green fodder (17%), cereals (16%), and permanent crops, such as fruit, olives and vineyards (11%). Despite significant growth, EU organic animal production accounts for a small share of total EU animal production, between 1% and 7% depending on the sector. On average, organic farms are bigger than conventional farms and run by younger farm managers. The environmental, economic and social benefits of organic farming are shown by data from the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network and meta-analyses of scientific research, with results varying significantly across sectors and Member States. For instance, organic arable crop farms save 75- 100% on plant protection product costs per hectare and 45-90% on fertilizer costs per hectare compared to conventional farms, and they generate a higher or similar income per working unit. On average, despite lower yields, organic farms generate a similar or higher income per worker thanks to higher prices and higher levels of EU support, stemming mainly from the CAP, with a range of approaches across Member States in their strategic plans. Compared to 2015, the EU organic retail sales almost doubled in 2020, and the area under organic farming grew by 41%. Imports from non-EU countries, in particular tropical fruit, increased between 2018 and 2021. Measures under the organic action plan and the CAP aim at sustaining growth, which may be affected by economic developments such as food inflation affecting EU consumers’ purchasing power, and therefore demand for organic products. Organic farming is a knowledge-intensive, rather than input-intensive, form of agriculture. Therefore, research and innovation are key tools for boosting organic farming. Support is provided under the EU research and innovation framework programmers Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe (2014-2020 and 2021-2027), and the CAP’s agricultural European innovation partnerships EIPAGRI.