Organic and local produce market increase
Alongside the growing interest in healthy eating and wholefood products, there has been a shift in the market towards organic and locally produced products. Last month new research from TNS showed that organic retail sales grew by an impressive 13.4% during the year ending March 2008. The Soil Association is predicting “a very healthy 10% growth” in 2008 in the organic markets.(Natural Products July/August 2008, p25).
It may be true that the availability of organic produce through supermarkets has helped to boost demand. (Britain is one of the few countries in which organic food is found in all major retailers.) However, as noted in the previous section, there is no decline in the fortunes of specialist and smaller wholefood retailers, and research continues to suggest a growing focus on local supply sources. IGD (food and grocery experts) are quoted in Natural Products “… recently polled shoppers on whether the economic slowdown would affect their purchasing of local food. 60% said it would “make no difference”, while 20% said they would buy more.”(July/August p4)
In addition, more consumers are recognising that the organics lifestyle extends beyond the food we eat; hence opening new markets for organic textiles and beauty products.