While sufficient statistical data in the conventional food market enables decision-makers to opt for investments or policies on a well-founded basis, this data is lacking in the organic food market. A European Concerted Action project in co-operation with the EU statistical office, EUROSTAT, and funded by the European Union aims there-fore at developing a framework for collection and processing reliable and comprehen-sive data on organic markets. The first phase of the project with the aim of analysing the current situation and developing proposals is accomplished. The results are a number of detailed and specific suggestions to improve the data situation on the national and international level