Organic sales hit £2 billion mark

Launched to coincide with the start of Soil Association Organic Fortnight 2007, the Soil Association’s definitive annual Organic Market Report shows continued strong growth and dynamic public support for organic food, drink, textiles and health and beauty products. Retail sales of organic products through organic box and mail order schemes and other direct routes increased from £95 million in 2005 to £146 million in 2006 - a staggering 53% growth, more than double that experienced by the major supermarkets. The report includes consumer research by Mintel which shows that: more than half of those surveyed had purchased organic fruit and vegetables within the previous 12 months; one in four consumers had bought organic meat or dairy products; and one in six had purchased packaged organic goods. Other key figures from the report revealed that an average of £37 million is spent each week on organic produce in the UK with consumers living in London, the South East, the South West and Wales most likely to buy organic food