A survey shows that nearly 31 million hectares around the world are currently certified according to organic standards.

Australia continues to account for the largest certified organic surface area, with 11.8 million hectares, followed by Argentina (3.1 million hectares), China (2.3 million hectares) and the US (1.6 million hectares).

Germany is in the seventh position worldwide, according to the survey

The most significant portion of global organic surface area is in Oceania (39 per cent), followed by Europe (23 per cent) and Latin America (19 per cent).

In terms of the certified organic agriculture as a proportion of all arable agricultural surface area, the Alpine countries, such as Austria with more than 14 per cent, top the statistics.

The researchers said that the growth exhibited in the US, Italy and Poland has been the most noteworthy.

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

The findings were presented at the recent BioFach World Organic Trade Fair in Nuremberg, Germany.

In addition to the certified organic arable land, nearly 62 million hectares are currently certified to organic standards for the collection of wild product, according to research by the International Trade Center (ITC).

The global market for organic products reached a value of 25.5bn euros in 2005, with the vast majority of products being consumed in North America and Europe, figures from market research firm Organic Monitor show.

For 2006, the value of the global organic market is expected to break through the 30bn euros barrier.

Healthy growth rates are expected to continue in the coming years, Organic Monitor said.