Organic sales increase over three months since the horsemeat scandal
Organic sales increase over three months since the horsemeat scandal
According to the Soil Association the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel reveal organic sales through supermarkets have increased steadily for the past three months.
The 12 week year on year picture shows a +1.6% for organic food sales – the first time the market has seen year on year growth since 2009. Sales have now reached a similar level to that of 2 years ago in May 2011. Soil Association market intelligence work also shows organic sales have increased through independent retailers, catering and online.
Speaking about the figures from Kantar, Jim Twine, business development director said: “The Soil Association’s 2013 Organic Market report predicted a positive future for the UK organic market and these figures confirm things are improving. Whenever consumer confidence is knocked – as it has been through the horsemeat scandal – people look for food that has a positive story to tell and is fully traceable. Recent moves from supermarkets, with the exception of Waitrose, to allow GM animal feed into the supply chain are also likely to impact on sales because the only way to avoid eating chicken or eggs from animals on a GM diet is to buy organic.”
“Turnover declarations from Soil Association licensees showed a 1.6% increase to the end of March. Whilst these figures represent more positive news for the market there is an increasing danger of supply chain shortages of key organic products. To prevent a shortfall, the Soil Association is urging all retailers to work more closely than ever with their organic suppliers to ensure higher farm gate prices, better planning and decent forward contracts. This in turn will help to restore producer confidence and safeguard future supply.”
