Global growth in organic agriculture has been positive over the past few years and will further grow in the years to come, a report has concluded.

The report, World of Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2007, shows that around 31 million hectares are certified according to organic standards.

The overall worldwide organic market reached a value of 25.5bn euros in 2005.

Europe and North America remain the leading markets for organic products, according to the report.

Organic textiles, detergents and cleaning agents, pet food and natural cosmetics showed a growth of 30 per cent in 2005 and will continue to show immense growth rates over the next few years, the report said.

The research was carried out by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the Foundation for Ecology and Farming (SOL).

The findings were welcomed by the American Organic Trade Association (OTA).

"We are glad to see global growth in organic agriculture," the OTA said.

"The OTA continues to look for ways to encourage producers to help fill organic demand.

"That is why OTA is making such an effort to include provisions to encourage organic production in the US in the next US Farm Bill."