The European Commission announced the seven winners of the 2026 European Organic Awards on Wednesday, marking European Organic Day.
The awards are being presented for the fifth year and cover six categories, recognising initiatives in organic farming, processing, catering, retail and local development. More than 120 applications from across the European Union were submitted for this year's event, while 21 candidates from 12 countries reached the final selection.
According to the Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, the awarded projects demonstrate different approaches to organic production and the organic products value chain. They combine farming practices, innovation, cooperation with local producers and initiatives for rural communities.
The seven awards
The award for best female organic farmer went to Kay O'Sullivan of Ireland. She manages Glynn Organic Farm, a 63-hectare organic livestock farm with cattle and sheep. The farm has been organically certified for 16.5 years and uses a grazing-based production system, aiming to improve productivity and limit the use of feed from external sources.
The award for best male organic farmer went to Hans Erik Jørgensen of Denmark. He manages Risbjerg Landbrug, a 350-hectare mixed organic farm with pigs, cattle, laying hens and various crops. According to the Commission, the farm participates in more than 50 research and development projects and provides employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities, refugees and trainees.
The Bulgarian Bio Bulgaria, known by the trade name Harmonica, won the award for best small or medium-sized organic food processing enterprise. The company was founded in 2016, employs 47 people and offers more than 30 products made by partner businesses. Its activities include cooperation with local organic farmers and the promotion of short supply chains.
The award for best organic restaurant or catering business went to Austria's Zotter Schokolade. Founded in 1999, the company employs 200 people and manages 95 hectares of sustainable agricultural production. Its restaurant follows a "farm-to-table" approach, using products from its own production and providing visitors with information about the origin of the food and animal welfare.
Germany's family-run Boßhammersch Hof was recognised in the category of best organic food retailer. Founded in 1997, the company employs 44 people and delivers more than 2,000 boxes of products without plastic packaging every week. It works with 60 organic farms and supplies seasonal products to households, schools and rural communities.
The award for best organic city went to the French town of Cussac-Fort-Médoc, which has 2,326 residents. According to the announcement, 50% of the products offered in school canteens and restaurants are organic. The municipal organic farm, covering 7,000 square metres, meets half of the need for fresh vegetables for the 230 meals served daily, while surplus production is also provided for local food assistance.
Finally, the award for best organic region went to Italy's Distretto Sardegna Bio. The initiative was created in 2021 and is the country's largest organic region. It covers an area of 24,090 square kilometres and includes 2,600 organic production businesses, with 184,000 hectares of organic farmland. Through local supply chains, public procurement and rural energy communities, it seeks to strengthen cooperation among producers, processing businesses and consumers.
Continued support for organic production
In a statement, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen said that this year's winners demonstrate examples of combining sustainability, competitiveness and innovation. He added that the EU would continue supporting the development of the organic production sector, linking it with the strengthening of rural areas, the protection of ecosystems and consumer confidence.
Source: CNA
