IFOAM Organics International
IFOAM Organics International is a Bonn-based, 1972-founded non-profit membership organization that convenes 800+ affiliates in 100+ countries to set organic agriculture standards, deliver training and certification frameworks, and run global advocacy events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersBonn-beuel, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IFOAM Organics International does
IFOAM Organics International (legal name: International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements e.V.) is a membership-based non-profit organization founded in 1972 and registered as an eingetragener Verein (e.V.) in Bonn, Germany. It operates as the global umbrella body for the organic agriculture movement, convening 800+ affiliates — comprising 581 Members, 152 Associates, and 100 Supporters — across more than 100 countries and territories through 7 regional bodies (including IFOAM Organics Europe, IFOAM Asia, IFOAM Latin America) and 6 sector platforms (including Animal Husbandry Alliance, Apiculture Forum, Aquaculture, INOFO, Seeds Platform, and Technology Innovation Platform). The organization is governed by an elected World Board on a three-year cycle; the most recent elections took place at the December 2024 General Assembly in Taiwan, and an Extraordinary General Assembly in June 2026 approved a package of governance reforms.
The organization's core technology is the IFOAM Family of Standards, the centerpiece of its Organic Guarantee System, which provides the reference framework against which national organic standards (most recently Kazakhstan's CT PK 3111-2023 and CT PK 3942-2023 in September 2025) are benchmarked for equivalence to facilitate international organic trade. Complementary assets include the Organic 3.0 vision for sustainable organic agriculture, position papers, the Best Practice Guideline, and the formal Definition of Organic Agriculture. The technology stack is informational and standards-based rather than software-driven; there is no API surface, no app, and no disclosed AI/ML capability.
Revenue is generated through four primary streams: recurring annual membership fees (subscription); voluntary donations; training programs run through the Global Academy and the Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course (AOLC); and events including the triennial Organic World Congress, the European Organic Congress, and BIOFACH trade fair collaborations. The organization also delivers advocacy at international policy fora, capacity-building programs (e.g., AOLC South Africa, May 2026), and a webinar series launched in 2025. Distribution is multi-channel: a digital membership directory (directory.ifoam.bio), resource library, social media presence, email newsletter (The Organic Insider), blog (Organic Without Boundaries), and recurring in-person events.
IFOAM Organics International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IFOAM Organics International
- Legal name
- International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements e.V.
- Website
- https://ifoam.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IFOAM Organics International is a Bonn-based, 1972-founded non-profit membership organization that convenes 800+ affiliates in 100+ countries to set organic agriculture standards, deliver training and certification frameworks, and run global advocacy events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IFOAM Organics International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Organic Agriculture Standards and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Organic Certification Services (AFALAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Organics Contamination Auditing, Education & Compliance Services (BPALAEAJ)
Keywords
Where IFOAM Organics International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bonn-beuel
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IFOAM Organics International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Revenue generated from affiliate membership fees from organizations in 100+ countries including farmers associations, certifiers, processors, and NGOs.
- Donations: Voluntary contributions from supporters to fund communication efforts, global campaigns, and engagement opportunities for organic farmers.
- Events and Conferences: Revenue from organizing flagship events including the Organic World Congress, European Organic Congress, and participation in BIOFACH trade fairs.
- Training Programs: Revenue from training programs including the Global Academy and Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course (AOLC).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Membership categories include Members, Associates, and Supporters with different fee structures |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
IFOAM Organics International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IFOAM Organics International operates a global membership-based organization that develops and promotes organic agriculture standards, administers the IFOAM Family of Standards and Organic Guarantee System for organic certification, and delivers training, advocacy, and convening services to the worldwide organic movement. It monetizes primarily through annual membership fees, paid training programs (including the Global Academy and AOLC), flagship events such as the Organic World Congress, and voluntary donations.
Product overview
IFOAM Organics International is a membership-based nonprofit organization founded in 1972, dedicated to promoting organic agriculture globally. The organization does not offer a traditional technology product or software platform. Rather, it provides membership services, advocacy, training programs, standards certification (the IFOAM Family of Standards), and organizes events such as the Organic World Congress and General Assemblies. The website serves as an informational portal and membership directory, facilitating connection among over 800 affiliates across more than 100 countries. The organization's work spans campaigns, awards, policy advocacy, and capacity building for organic stakeholders worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IFOAM Membership Program
- Global Academy Training Programs
- Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course (AOLC)
- Organic World Congress (OWC)
- European Organic Congress
- IFOAM Family of Standards Membership Assessment
Quantifiable outcome
- 145.0 billion euros in global organic retail sales (2024)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IFOAM Organics International
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
IFOAM Organics International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
IFOAM Organics International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.
- German-Kazakhstan Agricultural Policy Dialogue ProjectmajorBMEL-funded project supporting the development of organic agriculture in Kazakhstan. The project facilitated Kazakhstan's admission to the IFOAM Family of Standards and commissioned COROS assessments of national standards.
- GOPA AFCsupportingGOPA AFC implemented the German-Kazakhstan Agricultural Policy Dialogue project, supporting organic development activities in Central Asia.
- FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)coreFiBL is a key strategic partner collaborating on research, standards development, and training programs. They co-host events and produce research on organic agriculture impacts.
- BIOFACHcoreBIOFACH is the world's leading trade fair for organic food. IFOAM collaborates on BIOFACH events including BIOFACH India and BIOFACH Nuremberg.
- SSNC (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation)coreSSNC is a strategic partner working on environmental and organic agriculture advocacy, particularly in the European region.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IFOAM Organics International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rainforest Alliance: Rainforest Alliance is a major international NGO that runs sustainability certification (including for agriculture) and conservation programs globally. It is comparable to IFOAM as a large-scale global sustainability NGO with certification, advocacy, and training programs, but with a broader environmental rather than organic-specific mandate.
- Fairtrade International: Fairtrade International is a large, global non-profit standards and certification organization operating across multiple sustainability dimensions, not just organic. It is comparable to IFOAM as a global membership-based sustainability NGO with a standards and certification system, but operates at a much larger scale and broader scope.
- Ecocert: Ecocert is one of the world's largest private organic and sustainability certification bodies, operating globally with a for-profit model. It is comparable to IFOAM as a global organic/sustainability certifier and standards player, but operates commercially rather than as a non-profit membership organization.
Direct peers
- Soil Association: The Soil Association is the UK's leading organic food and farming membership charity, operating its own organic certification, standards, and advocacy programs. It is directly comparable as a national-level organic membership and certification organization with overlapping standards-setting and advocacy mandates.
- Naturland: Naturland is a German-based international association for organic agriculture, certifying organic producers globally. It is directly comparable to IFOAM as a membership-based organic standards and certification body with a strong European footprint and global producer reach.
- Organic Trade Association (OTA): The Organic Trade Association is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America, advocating for organic standards, trade, and policy. It is directly comparable to IFOAM as a membership-driven organic advocacy and standards organization serving a specific region.
- Demeter International: Demeter International is the global certification body for biodynamic agriculture, operating a worldwide network of member organizations. It is directly comparable to IFOAM as a global, membership-based organic/biodynamic standards and certification organization with similar governance and international reach.
- FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture): FiBL is IFOAM's closest strategic partner and the leading global research institute for organic agriculture, co-hosting events and producing the World of Organic Agriculture report. It is directly comparable as a mission-aligned, organic-focused organization operating globally, with overlapping standards, research, and training functions.
- IFOAM Asia: IFOAM Asia is IFOAM's regional body for Asia, promoting organic agriculture across the region. It is directly comparable as a regional arm of the same IFOAM ecosystem, with similar membership, advocacy, and convening functions focused on a specific geography.
- IFOAM Organics Europe: IFOAM Organics Europe is IFOAM's regional body for the European Union, advocating for organic agriculture in EU policy and representing European organic stakeholders. It is directly comparable as part of the same IFOAM ecosystem with similar membership, advocacy, and policy functions, focused on a specific region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IFOAM Organics International social profiles
Digital presenceIFOAM Organics International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IFOAM Organics International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
IFOAM Organics International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IFOAM Organics International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IFOAM Organics International
What does IFOAM Organics International do?
IFOAM Organics International operates a global membership-based organization that develops and promotes organic agriculture standards, administers the IFOAM Family of Standards and Organic Guarantee System for organic certification, and delivers training, advocacy, and convening services to the worldwide organic movement. It monetizes primarily through annual membership fees, paid training programs (including the Global Academy and AOLC), flagship events such as the Organic World Congress, and voluntary donations.
Is IFOAM Organics International a public or private company?
IFOAM Organics International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IFOAM Organics International founded?
IFOAM Organics International was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IFOAM Organics International based?
IFOAM Organics International is headquartered in Bonn-beuel, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does IFOAM Organics International make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations, events and Conferences and training Programs.
Who are IFOAM Organics International's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade International and Ecocert. Direct peers are Soil Association, Naturland, Organic Trade Association (OTA), Demeter International, FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture), IFOAM Asia and IFOAM Organics Europe.
Does IFOAM Organics International have an API?
No public API is recorded for IFOAM Organics International.
What industry is IFOAM Organics International in?
IFOAM Organics International's product category is Organic Agriculture Standards and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAMAA, Organic Certification Services, with a secondary code of BPALAEAJ, Organics Contamination Auditing, Education & Compliance Services. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.