This paper compiles statistics for certified organic farmland and organic consumption in the eight Nordic-Baltic countries, and describes main drivers and obstacles, focusing on policy and strategies including organic research. Significant differences are found between the countries, also between countries with relatively comparable climatic and economic conditions. Explanations are discussed. Successful examples, especially Denmark and Sweden, show that organic agriculture is an option for refreshing agriculture in general, when there is a significant political will to support this farming practice