Sales of organic food stay high in Austria in 2022

At the world's leading trade fair for organic food, Biofach, AMA Marketing and Bio Austria presented current figures on the development of organic food sales in food retail (LEH) from the rolling agricultural market analysis RollAMA. "The figures clearly show that organic food continues to enjoy unbroken popularity, even in times of rising inflation. Sales of organic in Austrian food retailing defied inflation impressively. In May, the value of organic products in food retailing accounted for 11.7 percent of sales. It is thus even significantly above the average of the particularly strong sales years 2020 and 2021," summarized Bio Austria chairwoman Gertraud Grabmann.

In addition, it is evident from the current figures that the price increase for organic food has been significantly lower than for conventional food. A price increase of 6.5 percent on average for conventional food contrasts with an increase of 2.5 percent on average for organic food in the period from January to May. "Thus, organic food has been a price-stabilizing factor for consumers in the current inflationary phase so far. In addition, the price difference between organic and conventional foods on the shelf continues to narrow, which makes it even easier for consumers to reach for organic," Grabmann emphasizes.

The main reason for the higher prices for conventional foods is probably the massive increase in artificial fertilizer prices due to rising energy prices, which have made production significantly more expensive. But feed prices, which have risen sharply in some cases, are also likely to be a significant contributor.

"Organic farming is largely independent of fossil raw materials, especially due to the non-use of artificial fertilizers. In addition, organic farming in Austria is not dependent on feed imports from far away, because the animals mainly get regional organic feed," Grabmann concludes, explaining those factors that have led to a lower increase in organic prices in the current situation.