Organic Apples in Germany See Increased Price Share

Acording to the GfK household survey of Germany, there is a high rate in the sales of organic apples. The survey shows how between the months of February and March alone there were 38 % more organic apples purchased, and also 17 % more organic apples purchased than in March of 2006. The market share of organic apples is rising steadily. In March it rose to 3.2 %. In 2005 the share was at a mere 1.9 %, then increasing, to 2.4 % in 2006, and made it all the way to 2.9 % in the first quarter of 2007.

During this first quarter we also saw the sales of conventional apples drop, after an increase in 2006.

The growth rate of apples last year was at 33 %, since then it has risen 11 %. Discounters not included, retailers went through the largest growth in sales in the first quarter of 2007. With 37 % of organic apples sold by retailers, compared to 21 % by discounters, those retailers were able to regain market shares from the discounters. The heads of organic production and organic specialty shops have seen a market share that has been relatively stable since 2005. 

Organic specialty shops have lowered their prices since last year, and discounters increased theirs. This has thus resulted in a higher sales rate of organic apples, with discounters having reached the highest rate of sales last year. The alteration of pricing is a considerable factor in these results. Retailers also underwent some price change with higher prices than in March 2006.

Source: freshplaza.com