The Farmers Mart Apr/May 2014 - Issue 33 | Page 18

FARM NEWS

ORGANIC MARKET SEES FIRST
GROWTH FOR FOUR YEARS
Sales of organic meat,
poultry and fish increased
by 2.2% in 2013, as the Soil
Association announced
the first growth in the total
organic market for four
years.
In its 2014 Organic Market
Report, the Soil Association
said the overall sector had
seen growth of 2.8% in 2013,
with the market now worth
£1.79bn.
According to a YouGov survey,
the top reason for choosing
organic was that it contained
fewer chemicals and pesticides
(37%).
Much of the growth came from
independent retailers led, with
an increase in sales of 6.9%,
while supermarkets have seen
growth of just 1.2% overall.

Rob Sexton, chief executive of
Soil Association Certification,
said: “To see the organic market
showing such strong signs
of growth, particularly when
grocery sales as a whole are
slowing, indicates just how
much potential there is in the
organic sector.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK
FOR FUTURE
“In addition, research has
shown that organic shoppers
expect to buy more organic
products this year than last, so
we have reason to be positive
about the outlook for organic in
2014 and beyond.”
Roger Kerr, chief executive,
Organic Farmers & Growers
(OF&G), which certifies the
majority of organic eggs and

poultry in the UK, told meatinfo.
co.uk: “There is definite upward
movement in demand for
organic products, judging by
the activity of the businesses we
inspect and certify.
“It’s fair to say that an
improvement in the market is
very welcome, because many
organic producers have had
a hard fe