The Czech organic sector is growing fast

The organic food market of the Czech Republic is growing fast. After a 30 percent growth in 2005, the same or a faster growth rate is expected for 2006. Tom Vaclavik of the Green marketing agency stated that more and more supermarkets were expanding their organic food assortment, as their customers demanded high quality products. After dm-Drogeriemarkt and Interspar enlarged their offer last year, Billa is also looking into expanding their organic range substantially this year. The trend also spurs a growth in organic farms. For the first time in five years, the number of organic farms rose substantially by 140 farms in 2006.

After three years of stagnation, the number of organic companies in the Czech Republic has also increased again. 912 companies (compared with 829 in 2005) are operating 6.45 % of the total farm land (compared with 5.98 % in 2005), equivalent to almost 275,000 hectares. Nevertheless, the demand of retailers for domestic products can not be supplied. Health stores and supermarket chains appeal to growers and producers to make more organic groceries available. The emphasis is on good quality - not only the quantity. Product attributes of  Czech organic products have also to be met in order to replace imports from Germany and other neighbouring countries. 57 % of the total organic turnover was reached in supermarkets in 2005, which are known to have high expectations regarding the quality of their merchandise.

Organic farming of the Czech Republic will be presented in a large, government-funded booth at the BioFach 2007 exhibition for the first time this year. Foreign manufacturers and traders who are interested in the highly promising Czech market will be able to meet the largest Czech wholesalers and manufacturers personally on a presentation of Czech organic food products and business opportunities on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at the room “Krakau”. The latest figures on the Czech organic market will be presented by Tom Vaclavik of Green marketing on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. at the room “Riga”. See detailed invitation.

www.greenmarketing.cz