Organic produce is gradually becoming established in the diet of Australian households, according to Biological Farmers of Australia. Growth in organic markets in the UK has slowed, leading to speculation that organic foods are considered ‘high-brow’, limiting their appeal to the ordinary customer.  However, research commissioned by the BFA in 2009 showed that organics are being bought across the range of consumers. “Over 30% of organic consumers have an income below $40,000, demonstrating... ...Read more »

Tipped as one of the fastest growing trends in Australian wine, demand for Australian organic and biodynamic wine continued to increase in 2009/10 despite the Australian wine industry facing one of the largest surpluses in history. As wine industry bodies declare the current crisis the worst in two decades, many organic and biodynamic wine producers have reported increasing sales in the past year and have received international acclaim from the world’s top wine critics and wine shows. Hart... ...Read more »

In the aim of protecting consumers’ interests, the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) have created a new consumer feedback program to assist with the regulation of unscrupulous organic claims in the market. Consumers are encouraged to provide feedback, report on dubious organic claims on products in the marketplace, (whether certified or non-certified) and to ask their questions relating to organic certification and standards. While certified organic products such as those carrying the “Bud”... ...Read more »

Organic food has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the international fine dining scene and Australia has been no exception, with organic culinary creations now a common feature of the country’s most acclaimed restaurant menus, the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) has said in response to news of American chefs listing organics as a leading trend for the coming year. Demand for certified organic produce from some of the country’s most highly awarded chefs has led this trend,... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest organic body – the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) – has rejected claims by Britain’s Food Standard Agency (FSA) that organic produce has no health or nutritional benefit over conventionally produced food. Shane Heaton, nutritionist spokesperson and researcher for the BFA, said that, despite the review finding that organic produce contains only slightly higher nutrient levels, the wider health and environmental benefits of organic over non-organic... ...Read more »

Dr. Andrew Monk, convenor of the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) Standards Advisory Group, says a new standard for organic being developed with Standards Australia will not change the answer to the consumer question – “how can I trust organic?”"The only solution for the consumer will remain the same: look for a ‘certified organic’ logo to be absolutely certain a product is organic.” A certification logo currently must accompany the word ‘organic’... ...Read more »

Tighter economic conditions are impacting some organic sectors and producers, and by-passing others, according to the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA). Speculation on whether organic items are in the ‘dispensable luxury’ category when consumer spending curbs, have not been upheld in the organic meat and dairy sectors, but fruit and veg may be under pressure. Alister Ferguson, National Sales Manager for The Australian Organic Meat Company (Sanger Australia), said sales show Australian... ...Read more »

From operational efficiency, to sustainability, to best technology – organic can add value. That’s according to the results of the 2008 NAB Agribusiness Awards, which have recently recognised three businesses adapting organic into their operations for a forward-thinking and innovative approach to agriculture. Chris Clyne, General Manager of Clyne Foods (winner: NAB Rural Enterprise Award) believes organic is a real option for large scale production, when efficiencies were balanced. “We... ...Read more »

An Australian Certified Organic (ACO) meat producer has become the first in the world to comply with Japan’s new organic livestock standard. Matt O’Leary, beef producer from Australian Organic Meats in NSW has out-stripped Japan’s own farmers to become the first meat supplier ever to match the stringent criteria of the recently developed Japanese Agriculture Standard (JAS) for livestock. “I’m pretty pleased – and a bit surprised,” Mr O’Leary... ...Read more »

Australian organic operators have opened up their fields, farms and fresh produce for those ready to experience organic this National Organic Week (Saturday the 11th – Sunday the 19th October). A smorgasbord of organic is available over the remaining five days of the event. Farm Tour Rosnay Wines, Canowindra, NSW, Saturday 18th Oct 10am – 4pm As the first certified organic wine producers in the Cowra region, Rosnay Wines are well equipped to connect food and wine connoisseurs with organic. In... ...Read more »