To mark EU Organic Day 2026, the European Commission has named the winners in seven categories — from organic farmers to a whole Sardinian bio-district.

The European Commission has announced the winners of the fifth EU Organic Awards to mark this year’s EU Organic Day, the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) reports.

This year’s laureates uphold the high bar set by previous winners, showcasing innovative, sustainable projects across Europe’s organic value chain — from adding economic value and building rural jobs and communities to turning sustainability ambitions into action and supporting resilient, future-oriented food systems. 

The Commission says it remains committed to backing the organic sector further, strengthening its competitiveness while preserving high standards; under the proposed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027, the EU budget will keep reinforcing organic farming and innovation, drawing on research and the European Competitiveness Fund.

2026 winners

  • Best organic farmer (female): Kay O’Sullivan (Ireland), who runs the 63-hectare Glynn Organic Farm with cattle and sheep, organic-certified for 16.5 years, using grass-based production, multispecies swards and weekly grass measurement to lift productivity while cutting external feed and emissions; she shares her experience widely and hosts national events, international visitors and open days.
  • Best organic farmer (male): Hans Erik Joergensen (Denmark), who runs the 350-hectare mixed farm Risbjerg Landbrug with pigs, cattle, laying hens and diversified crops, organic for 19 years, combining high animal welfare with soil-health practices; the farm supports people with special needs, refugees and trainees and contributes to over 50 research and development projects.
  • Best organic food processing SME: Bio Bulgaria (Harmonica, Bulgaria), founded in 2006 with 47 staff and over 30 partner-made products, backing local organic producers through stable markets and short supply chains while promoting fair trade and clear product origins.
  • Best organic restaurant/food service: Zotter Schokolade (Austria), founded in 1999, with 200 employees and 95 hectares of sustainable farming; its farm-to-table restaurant processes its own livestock on site, alongside a cocoa cinema, chocolate theatre and an «edible Tiergarten».
  • Best organic food retailer: Boßhammersch Hof (Germany), a family-run delivery service founded in 1997 with 44 staff, delivering over 2,000 plastic-free boxes weekly and linking 60 organic farms to households, schools and rural communities, mostly within 100 km.
  • Best organic city: Cussac-Fort-Médoc (France), a town of 2,326 residents serving 50% organic food in school canteens via a pioneering municipal farming service, with a 7,000 m² organic plot covering half the fresh vegetables for 230 daily meals.
  • Best organic region/bio-district: Distretto Sardegna Bio (Italy), created in 2021 — Italy’s largest bio-district at 24,090 km², involving 2,600 organic businesses across 184,000 hectares of organic farmland, and head of the Italian Network of Organic Districts.

More than 120 applications came in from across the EU again this year, with 21 finalists shortlisted from 12 countries. 

The EU Organic Awards span 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

Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen said the awards celebrate people proving that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand, and that the EU will keep supporting the organic sector for stronger rural areas, healthier ecosystems, greater consumer confidence and a more sustainable, resilient food system.

European Economic and Social Committee President Séamus Boland said this year’s winners showcase the sector’s remarkable diversity and creativity, from social farming and home delivery to restaurants, zoos and community initiatives.

European Committee of the Regions member Kirstine Bille said committing to organic farming means investing in healthier soils, healthier food and more resilient rural communities, while strengthening local economies.

Copa Vice-President Søren Søndergaard said the winners show how organic farming can respond to the pressures European agriculture faces — market conditions, climate and a fast-changing policy environment — and called for giving farmers the tools, market access and regulatory certainty to stay resilient and competitive.

IFOAM Organics Europe President Dóra Drexler congratulated the winners and finalists, saying their work shows how organic can strengthen Europe’s resilience by cutting dependency on external inputs, supporting sustainable livelihoods and protecting natural resources.

Source: European Commission — DG AGRI