Denmark: organic catering sales keep on growing

Canteens, institutions, restaurants and other private and public kitchens have purchased organic products for approx. DKK464m (€62m) in the first half of 2013, according to a new report that is based on figures from the country 's largest wholesalers. This means that organic sales in the food service sector have grown by 8% compared to the second half of 2012. (Graph by Organic Denmark: Organic revenues in the catering sector in DKK.)
 

The fruit and vegetable category had the largest growth in the first half of 2013 with an increase of 26%, according to the report. Sales of organic dairy products also grew again by 9% after a slight decline from the first to the second half of 2012. It is now the largest categorie. Organic Denmark and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council have the common expectation that the organic turnover in the food service sector will grow by a total of 15-20% throughout 2013. "A number of projects in the public kitchens around the country's municipalities has been launched, which will result in increasing purchases. We can already slowly begin to see it now, but the big growth will probably be visible in 2014", food service coordinator for Organic Denmark, Rikke Thorøe Grønning, states.

Organic Denmark has created a database that collects approximately 75% of the organic market in the food service sector through reports from the 15 largest foodservice wholesalers in Denmark. The figures are based on these reports and on estimates of the remainder. Revenues split up as follows: institutions 35%, canteens 33%; restaurants, hotels, cafes 17 %; others (gas stations, etc.) 15%.

Organic Denmark