The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is Central Africa’s top organic farming country. This is according to The World Of Organic Agriculture 2024 released in February.

According to the annual survey which covers 188 countries, the DRC dedicated 116,493 hectares to organic farming in 2022. This is 27,000 hectares more than in 2021 and 64,655 hectares up compared to a decade ago. 

In Africa, the DRC currently ranks 7th regarding organic farming. It is behind Uganda (505,308 ha), Tanzania (313,231 ha), Ethiopia (238,146 ha), Tunisia (227,582 ha), Sierra Leone (194,684 ha) and Togo (158,581 ha).

Most of the DRC’s organic produce goes to the European Union (EU). In 2022, Africa’s second-biggest country exported 13,765 tons to the EU, and only 173 tons to the USA. 

The DRC is well-positioned to take advantage of the global demand for organic agriculture given the diversity of its production systems and the size of its arable land.

However, to capture a substantial share of the total market value, estimated at €135 billion ($149 billion), the country needs to implement action plans or policy measures to promote organic farming and establish a support system for producers. 

Worldwide, the US, Germany, and China are the biggest organic food buyers, and Denmark is the top seller. The European country supplies 12% of this market.

Espoir Olodo