Helen Browning - Courtesy of the Soil Association

Helen Browning, Soil Association Director of Food and Farming

4th September 2007, 8:53am

The annual Organic Market Report shows a significant increase in the number of consumers choosing to buy locally sourced and organic food and drink. Helen Browning explains why the organic market is set to grow.

"These figures are extremely encouraging, the year on year growth in sales not just in food and drink, but also the newer booming clothing and health and beauty sectors confirm organic has moved well beyond a mere fad or niche.  

The staggering 53 per cent growth in sales through box schemes and other direct routes confirms strong public support for local, seasonal and organic food that provides a fair return to farmers and growers, boosts the local economy, and also reduces your carbon footprint – consumers are increasingly linking everyday food choice to environmental action.

While this year's report confirms a positive future for organic food and farming, the organic movement faces challenges in the long-term from climate change and rising oil prices, as do all farmers and growers. 

Rises in feed and fuel prices will need to be reflected in food prices at the check-out that enable farmers to get a fair return on their production costs. It's fantastic to have such strong public support for and understanding of the benefits provided by organic farming, but that must urgently extend to more widespread acceptance, by retailers as well as consumers, of the true costs of producing staple foods like eggs, milk, meat , and bread sustainably.  

The significant short-fall in UK grown organic cereals is a major concern, forcing greater reliance on imports for livestock feed - but of course, it is also a major opportunity for current non-organic cereal farmers to convert and supply a guaranteed and growing market.

With the government's own studies confirming that organic farming typically uses 30 per cent less energy than non-organic farming, it's not surprising more and more people are choosing to purchase planet-friendly, organic food. 

This is confirmed by an independent poll commissioned by the Soil Association from Mumsnet, which found that 84 per cent of mums believe that organic is better for their family and 90 per cent for the planet. We'll be using that endorsement from the nation's mums to get Gordon Brown to wake up to the planet-friendly benefits of organic food and farming."

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