UK: increase in organic sales since the horsemeat scandal

Latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel reveal organic sales through supermarkets have increased steadily for the past three months, the Soil Association reports. The twelve 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 two years ago in May 2011. Soil Association market intelligence work also shows organic sales have increased through independent retailers, catering and online. (Picture: Planet Organic store front)
 

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.”
 

According to the Kantar data, yoghurts, pulses, herbs and spices and cereals are all showing healthy market growth. Recent figures from Nielsen also confirm organic milk has been showing year on year growth since October 2012. More information is available here: Soil Association