Sales of organic grocery products climbed by 4.9% last year to £1.95bn – outperforming the non-organic grocery market as a whole, which contracted by 1%
Confirming the organic sector's third consecutive year of growth, the Soil Association's Organic Market Report 2016 attributes the success to innovation by a host of new suppliers, and strong online availability. The shift in shopping patterns away from out-of-town retailers towards smaller stores also favours organics.
Supermarkets now account for 70% of organic sales, down by 10% from a decade ago, representing a £200m switch. Particularly strong increases were found in the catering sector (up 15%) and box schemes and online sales (up 9%).
Soil Association Chief Executive Helen Browning noted that while demand looks set to continue to grow in the coming year, potential supply shortages in some sectors, notably arable, are a cause for concern. In particular, more production of organic feed for livestock is needed. Read more about Sustain's support for organic food and farming here.
Published Friday 26 February 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
