Organic growing globally

The organic market is booming in Britain with sales up 30% averaging an extra £7 million a week. This growth accounts for annual current growth of 3% for food and drink. The total £1.6 billion in sales is a three-fold increase on the previous year.
The numbers and range of people buying organic food have also risen across all
demographic sectors with two out of three consumers now knowingly selecting organic products.
Supermarkets took the lion’s share of organic sales making up to £1.2 billion of the £1.6 billion total sales – an increase of 31% on last year. Supermarkets are now sourcing 66% of organic primary produce from the UK.
Despite the dominance of the supermarkets, sales through independent shops, farm shops and farmers’ markets have also increased by 32%. Consumer research carried out in early 2006 showed that over half of organic consumers would prefer to shop at smaller, local suppliers.
Helen Browning, food and farming director, Soil Association said,“These are
staggering growth figures and clearly good news for UK organic producers.
“It is also greatly encouraging to see supermarkets responding to criticisms by increasing their sourcing of home-grown produce. But whilst the Soil Association has seen a 42% surge in the number of farmers interested in converting to organic systems, it is of concern that overall UK supply is falling behind demand.
“If public support for organic produce isn’t matched by supply – supermarkets and others will again be forced to look overseas. In turn, retailers can help build proc-
essor and producer confidence by prioritising long-term relationships with
processors and farmers that recognise the costs and complications of organic
husbandry.