Organic agricultural production enables the production of controlled, certified, safe, and high-quality food, and at the same time it provides high economic and ecological profit and preserves a healthy environment. Consumer interests in products of organic origin have been steadily growing for twenty years. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the situation in the global organic food market, as well as to point out the most important motives for consumers to decide on the consumption of organically produced foods. All countries around the world record a trend of continual organic food and beverage market growth. In some countries this growth is expressed with doubledigit numbers. The United States is the largest organic food market, with a total of 35.8 trillion euros. Fruits, vegetables, bread, cereals, drinks, milk and meat have the biggest share in the organic food market in all countries of the world. Fresh fruits take the first position in international trade. Although the production and sale of organic food is concentrated in highly developed countries, less developed countries are becoming important producers and exporters of organic products.

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Biodiversity on the planet Earth has been threatened for decades, primarily due to human activities. According to current scientific knowledge, the number of species decreases at a rate of 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than in previous times. Even though international strategic goals aim stopping the global changes in the existing biodiversity, it can be concluded that as many as 74 species daily disappear, that is 27,000 species annually, implying the disappearance of 20% of recent species in the next three to four decades. Preserving biodiversity is one of the most important goals of global environmental protection, sought for science and policy to participate in. Adopted Conventions on biological diversity and biodiversity, provide a key indication of progress towards achieving the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (20112020). Biological diversity necessitates a comprehensive help of modern man, at all levels of operation, in order to preserve and certainly enrich the existing biodiversity. To protect the numerous and very rare species numerous legal regulations, primarily the law on nature protection, must be introduced and strictly observed. The organic production system preserves not only local but also global biodiversity. According to all recent scientific research, this system of agricultural production increases not only the number of different types of organisms, but also their overall growth, with slight variations among different taxonomic groups.

The areas under the organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants are constantly increasing, both domestically and globally. Since organic production does not allow the application of synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers like compost and bacterial biofuels have special importance. The aim of this paper is to point out the positive effects of the application of these fertilizers in the organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants. Microbiological fertilizers and compost not only have beneficial effects on the productivity of medicinal and aromatic plants by improving physical and biological properties of the soil, but also affect the quality and increase the content of essential oils and also improve the physiological status of a plant. Azotobacter produce anti-fungal compounds that protect against plant pathogens, while increasing germination and vitality of plants demonstrates the importance of their application in the organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Unlike conventional agriculture, organic farming, as a form of sustainable agriculture, and its production methods preserve and upgrade biodiversity of the soil and biodiversity of the entire ecosystem by protecting the environment, plants, and human health. It appeared at the beginning of XX century in Poland and has been spreading in many countries worldwide ever since. In 2015, this type of agricultural production was implemented at a global level on an area of 50.9 million ha. The largest areas are located in Oceania (22.8 mil. ha) and Europe (12.7 mil. ha), whereas grass areas make up the most, and arable land makes up only 15% there of. In the period 2014-2015, the area increased by 6.5 mil. ha at the global level. In 2015, the largest increase was recorded in Oceania (23.2%) and in 98 countries around the world, while a decrease was recorded in 32 countries. Europe performs ¼ of the world's organic production. In Serbia, organic production makes up 15298 ha (13398 ha belongs to arable land, 1899 ha to meadows and pastures). The largest number of producers is located in Vojvodina, and in Western and Southern Serbia. Cereals have a leading role with a production area of 2182.89 ha. Having in mind the great potentials for organic production in Serbia, experts' plan for the next decade is to increase the area for this type of agricultural production by 20%.