Denmark
Denmark’s agricultural sector has undergone dramatic consolidation, with farms declining from 206,000 in 1951 to just 31,400 in 2021. Today’s average farm spans 202 hectares, reflecting a shift toward industrial-scale agriculture that dominates the country’s 2.6 million hectares of agricultural land (61% of total area).
Organic farming represents 11.4% of utilized agricultural area across 3,960 farms, but faces significant barriers to expansion. Rising land prices—reaching historic highs—create fierce competition between organic farmers and industrial operations. Large-scale conventional producers, particularly in livestock, can outbid smaller agroecological enterprises for available land.
The aging farmer population (average age 57) compounds succession challenges, with only 23% of farmers under 50. While young farmers receive establishment subsidies up to 729,000 DKK, land access remains the primary obstacle. Industrial farmers benefit from higher profit margins that enable premium land purchases, concentrating ownership further.
Denmark’s liberalized land legislation since 2014-2015 offers minimal regulation, allowing market forces to drive consolidation. The powerful Landbrug og Fødevarer union has successfully lobbied against environmental restrictions that might level the playing field for sustainable agriculture.
Creative solutions like Dansk Økojord’s landbank model emerge as responses to systemic barriers, while alliances with water utilities and nature foundations offer new pathways for agroecological transition despite policy limitation.
Danmarks Økologiske Jordbrugsfond is a subsidiary of the Danish Organic Farming Foundation (Danmarks Økologiske Jordbrugsfond), established in February 2017 by the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and Organic Denmark. Its mission is to acquire conventional farmland and convert it to organic production, leasing it to committed farmers under long-term agreements.
Their approach is holistic, with a strong focus on:
- Protecting drinking water by avoiding pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, particularly in water catchment areas.
- Promoting biodiversity and nature conservation through land management plans applied to all farms.
- Combating climate change by supporting regenerative practices such as carbon sequestration in soils, agroforestry, low tillage, and extensive livestock systems.
- Supporting new generations of farmers by lowering entry barriers for young and innovative producers through access to land without requiring large capital.
With around 13 farm projects across Denmark, Dansk Økojord helps secure clean water, restore natural habitats, and grow organic food. The initiative is financed by over 900 shareholders and offers a triple return on investment: ecological, economic, and social.
