The organic sector is growing in Finland

Sales of organic products were up 5 percent in Finland in 2014. Overall, foodstuffs sales in the grocery shops increased less than 1 percent during the same period.  According to estimates by the Finnish organic food association Pro Luomu, Finns bought organic food and drinks for 225 million euro last year. In the food sales of grocery shops, the market share of organics was 1.7 percent in Finland.  The estimation is based on the sales data collected from the retail shop groups.  
 
Fruits, vegetables and milk the bestselling organics
According to Marja-Riitta Kottila, the growth shows that organics are an everyday choice for some consumers: "In euros, organic vegetables, fruits, milk, flakes and eggs are the bestsellers in Finland." Organic milk is the bestselling product. Baby foods have become a significant product group, too. Enterprises in the organic sector need to invest in product development and marketing to continue the favorable development in sales, according to Ms. Kottila: "There is a demand for new organic products like bread, frozen foods, dairy products and meat."
 
Novelties and trends show in sales
Last year, the biggest growth in organic product groups showed in coffee, spices and baby food.  "The growing product groups reflect new products and popular trends. The sales of organic coffee increased after novelties were launched. The growing popularity of coconut oil shows also in organics," Ms. Kottila says. Organic frozen foods, fruits and vegetables as well as flakes and grains showed a clear increase in sales, whereas the sales of organic baked goods fell in sales. More information is available here.