The Soil Association’s 2015 Organic Market Report revealed that sales of organic products increased by 4% in 2014. The figures show this is significant growth in a year when both food prices (down 1.9%) and food spending (down 1.1%) fell. Shoppers spent an extra £1.4 million a week on organic products and the organic market exceeded £1.86 billion, bringing sales back to levels in 2009. Growth in sales across Soil Association Certification symbol holders increased by 7.7%.
Dairy products and fresh fruit and vegetables were the most popular organic purchases. Overall, the strongest market growth was through online shopping and box schemes (11.7%) and independent retailers (5.7%) which offer the choice and convenience of extensive organic ranges in one place. More than a quarter of spending on organic products (27.9%) is in the dairy aisles with yoghurt sales increasing by 13.8% and dairy sales increasing by 6.5% -a stark contrast to the 3% contraction of the non-organic dairy market.
Consumers seek ethically sourced and environmentally friendly products
With nearly one third (29%) of shoppers seeking out ethically sourced and environmentally friendly products and over two thirds (68%) making the choice to support local farmers and businesses, the organic sector allows consumers to make more environmentally sustainable choices, with over 83% of UK households purchasing organic products in 2014.
Organic supply into catering
There was also significant growth in organic supply into catering, (13.6%), reflecting dynamic growth of the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark in schools, workplaces and hospitals – the market exceeded £1 million a week for the first time and is now worth £55.8 million.
Helen Browning, Soil Association chief executive, said; “Three years ago, commentators were writing off the organic market in the UK. Now, with a third year of steady growth, and against a falling overall food market, it’s clear that reports of organic food’s demise were premature to say the least. This reinvigoration may be partly related to an improving economy, but it’s also testament to the fact that retailers and manufacturers who continued to invest in organic lines have continued to thrive. Now, even the discounters are beginning to stock organic ranges.”
About the Soil Association
The Soil Association was founded in 1946 by farmers, scientists, doctors and nutritionists to promote the connection between the health of the soil, food, animals, people and the environment. Today the Soil Association is the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use.
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