Winners announced at fifth EU Organic Awards

This year's awardees maintain the high standards set by previous winners and present innovative, sustainable projects across Europe's organic value chain. Their work shows how organic farming and production can create added value, build communities and jobs in rural areas, turn ambitious sustainability goals into action, and support resilient, future-oriented food systems.

The Commission remains committed to further supporting the organic sector and value chain, strengthening their competitiveness while preserving high standards. Under the proposed CAP post 2027, the EU budget will continue to reinforce organic farming and innovation in the sector, drawing on research and the European Competitiveness Fund.

The winners of the edition 2026 of the EU Organic Awards are:

• Best organic farmer (female) to Ms Kay O'Sullivan in Ireland. Kay O'Sullivan runs Glynn Organic Farm, a 63-hectare livestock farm with cattle and sheep, certified organic for 16.5 years. The farm uses grass-based production, multispecies swards and weekly grass measurement to improve productivity while reducing external feed inputs and emissions. She actively engages with local communities and agricultural discussion groups, and shares her experience through social media and local news. The farm hosts national beef farming events, international visitors, study groups and open days, promoting sustainable farming through peer learning.
• Best organic farmer (male) to Mr Hans Erik Joergensen in Denmark. Hans Erik Joergensen runs Risbjerg Landbrug, a 350-hectare mixed organic farm with pigs, cattle, laying hens and diversified crops, certified organic for 19 years. The farm combines high animal welfare with soil-health-focused practices, including pasture-based pig production, diverse crop rotations and reduced tillage. He also supports people with special needs, refugees and trainees, while engaging the public through open-farm initiatives and educational visits. The farm contributes to more than 50 research and development projects, sharing knowledge and promoting sustainable organic farming.
• Best organic food processing SME to Bio Bulgaria (Harmonica) in Bulgaria. Bio Bulgaria is a Bulgarian organic food company founded in 2016, with 47 employees and more than 30 partner-manufactured products. It supports local organic producers through stable markets and short supply chains, while promoting fair trade, affordable food and clear product origins. The company also promotes organic food through schools and media and supports the circular economy.
• Best organic restaurant/food service to Zotter Schokolade in Austria. Zotter Schokolade is an Austrian company founded in 1999, employing 200 people and managing 95 hectares of sustainable agriculture. Its farm-to-table restaurant processes its own livestock for on-site catering, while its open production concept lets visitors learn about food origins and animal welfare. The site also features a cocoa cinema, chocolate theatre and "edible Tiergarten", creating an immersive experience centred on regionality and sustainable food.
• Best organic food retailer to Boßhammersch Hof in Germany. Boßhammersch Hof is a German family-run organic delivery service founded in 1997, employing 44 people and delivering over 2,000 plastic-free boxes weekly. It connects 60 organic farms with households, schools and rural communities, offering fair prices and seasonal products, mostly sourced within 100 km. Its app provides delivery tracking and recipes, while the company promotes fair wages, intercultural diversity and female leadership.
• Best organic city to Cussac-Fort-Médoc in France. Cussac-Fort-Médoc is a French town of 2,326 inhabitants, serving 50% organic products in its school canteens through a pioneering municipal farming service. Its 7,000 m² organic plot supplies half of the fresh vegetables for 230 daily meals, with zero transport and packaging and no extra cost. Surplus produce supports local food aid, restaurants and shops, providing a practical model for rural areas pursuing the organic transition.
• Best organic region/bio-district to Distretto Sardegna Bio in Italy. Created in 2021, Sardegna Bio is Italy's largest bio-district, covering 24,090 km² and involving 2,600 organic businesses across 184,000 hectares of organic farmland. It brings producers, processors and consumers together through local supply chains, public procurement and rural energy communities, while supporting tenders, exports and short supply chains. As the head of the Italian Network of Organic Districts, it also provides a structured and transferable model for participatory rural development.

More than 120 applications were received again from across the EU for this year's edition, with 21 candidates shortlisted from 12 countries. The EU Organic Awards feature 6 categories and 7 individual awards, recognising innovative, sustainable, and inspiring projects that add significant value to organic production and consumption. The awards are organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA, and IFOAM Organics Europe, with support from the European Parliament and the Council.

Quotes

Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food:

When I travel across Europe, I meet farmers and entrepreneurs who are proving every day that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand. The EU Organic Awards celebrate the people who are helping shape the future of European agriculture. Today's winners are not only being recognised for their achievements. They are showing what is possible when ambition, innovation and dedication come together. Their success can inspire others across Europe and help drive the next chapter of organic farming. The European Union will continue to support the development of the organic sector because it contributes to many of our shared objectives: stronger rural areas, healthier ecosystems, greater consumer confidence and a more sustainable and resilient food system.

Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee:

This year's EU Organic Awards winners showcase the remarkable diversity and creativity of the organic sector. From social farming and home delivery services to restaurants, zoos, tasting stations and community initiatives, they demonstrate how organic businesses can successfully combine sustainability, innovation and local engagement. Their achievements are an inspiration for Europe's sustainable future.

Kirstine Bille, Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Committing to organic farming means investing in the future of our territories. It is a commitment to healthier soils, healthier food and more resilient rural communities, while strengthening local economies and creating new opportunities for farmers and citizens alike. By applying for the European Organic Awards, cities and regions have the opportunity to showcase their commitment and leadership in building more sustainable and resilient food systems. They demonstrate that the transition towards organic farming is not only an environmental ambition, but also a powerful driver of economic development, territorial cohesion and innovation.

Søren Søndergaard, Copa Vice-President:

Each of this year's winners offers a different example of how organic farming can respond to the challenges facing European agriculture. Their achievements are particularly meaningful at a time when farmers are having to navigate increasingly difficult market conditions, climate pressures and a rapidly changing policy environment. The future of organic farming should be built around those who practise it, giving farmers the tools, market opportunities and regulatory certainty they need to remain resilient and competitive while continuing to deliver on the ambitions of organic production. Copa-Cogeca is proud to once again celebrate those efforts through the EU Organic Awards.

Dóra Drexler, President of IFOAM Organics Europe:

Congratulations to all the winners of this year's EU Organic Awards, and to all the finalists whose outstanding work brought them this far. Together, they demonstrate the diversity, innovation and leadership that organic brings to Europe's food and farming system, from farmers and businesses to cities, regions and local communities. Their achievements show how organic can strengthen Europe's resilience by reducing dependency on external inputs, supporting sustainable livelihoods, protecting natural resources and fostering vibrant rural areas. By giving visibility to these inspiring examples, the EU Organic Award showcases solutions that are already delivering results across Europe and point the way towards a more sustainable future. I hope this year's winners and finalists inspire many others to build on their success!