Growing Organic Potatoes in Lithuania: Ekoagros Certification and Required Documentation

Demand for organically grown potatoes in Lithuania keeps rising every year, as more shoppers look for produce grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. But switching to organic farming isn't just a decision – it's a formal, multi-stage process overseen by a single institution.

What is Ekoagros

VsI "Ekoagros" is the only accredited control body in Lithuania authorized to certify organic production – only its documents are recognized as valid, and its certification code, LT EKO 01, must appear on every organic product's packaging. The body is accredited by the National Accreditation Bureau under the LST EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012 standard, with accreditation valid until September 2, 2030. Since 2017, Ekoagros can also certify production under the requirements of the US Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program, opening a path to export to the US market.

The legal framework

Since January 1, 2022, Lithuania, like the rest of the EU, applies Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products. Nationally, organic production is governed by the Organic Production Rules, recently amended by the Minister of Agriculture's order No. 3D-233 of May 6, 2026, which took effect on August 1, 2026. Importantly, certificates issued before the amendments remain valid until their stated expiry date, so farmers don't need to worry about documents they already hold.

How to start certification

To certify a farm as organic for the first time, two main steps are required. First, during the current year, agricultural land and other areas must be declared in the Application Acceptance Information System (PPIS). The declaration period and conditions are announced annually on the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Paying Agency. Second, the required documents must be submitted to Ekoagros: a declaration of planned organic production activity (form F-003) with attachments, along with payment of the applicable fees. The transition period begins counting from the date the application is confirmed.

The transition period

The transition period is the time during which a farm gradually adopts the crop rotation, fertilization, and plant protection practices required for organic farming. For potatoes, as an annual crop, a two-year transition period applies (three years for perennial crops other than meadows and pastures). The first farm inspection is usually carried out between April and July.

Seed material: the most common mistake

One of the most common mistakes among beginner organic growers concerns seed material. Since January 1, 2006, organic farms must use only certified organic seed potatoes carrying a seed certificate issued by the State Plant Service. Seed material can be purchased from certified organic seed suppliers, from organic farms (in which case both a farm certificate and a separate seed certificate are needed), or grown on the farm's own organic land. Ordinary, non-organic seed potatoes – even if never sprayed with chemicals – are not eligible for certified organic harvest.

An organic certificate isn't just the right to use the organic label – it's a real competitive advantage: shoppers increasingly seek out products carrying this mark, knowing the entire chain from growing to harvest to sale was overseen by an independent body. Anyone planning to switch to organic farming should start by reviewing the current legislation published on the Ekoagros website (ekoagros.lt) and consulting the agency's specialists before submitting an application.