Victoria’s RMIT University is running an ‘Organic Food and Wellness’ Survey, to explore the health experiences of people who consume organic foods on a regular basis. Recent studies in the Netherlands showed 75 per cent of organic consumers reported health benefits after moving to an organic diet, including improvements in energy, psychological wellbeing, resistance to and recovery from illness and gastrointestinal complaints. The Survey aims to identify whether Australians who eat organic... ...Read more »

The latest offering in the organic yoghurt market, five:am, has launched with six new flavours and boasting a wholly natural manufacturing process, free of gluten, gelatin, preservatives, starches, artificial colours, flavours, stabilisers or sweeteners. Creator, surfer and long time yogi David Prior, said he was inspired to create a product that allowed him to have a clear ecological conscience during one of his early morning moments of clarity. “It’s just as much about what’s not in our food... ...Read more »

Sales of organic products in the UK dropped by 5.9% in 2010, local certification body the Soil Association revealed yesterday. Organic sales fell to GBP1.73 billion (A$2.7 billion), with sales at multiple retailers – which account for 72.3% of total organic sales – sliding by 7.7% during the 12 months, the Soil Association’s Organic Market Report found. Additionally, the number of organic food producers fell as farmers and manufacturers felt the squeeze of increased competition... ...Read more »

National Organics Week will kick off on October 1st, with a launch yesterday at Melbourne’s Prahran Market. The event – which actually runs for ten days – is being supported by the Victorian Government, Biological Farmers of Australia and the Centre for Organic and Resource Enterprises. “Buying organic and locally supports your local community and reduces your carbon footprint and buying in season means you get the freshest possible produce at a great price. Go local, Go organic!”... ...Read more »

The organic market in the UK is expected to grow by 2-5% in 2010, according to statistics from the UK’s Soil Association.The Organic Market Report 2010 published yesterday showed that despite a near 13% decline in organic sales in 2009, there are clear signs of a revival in the organic market, suggesting that it will return to growth by the end of the year. Organic milk, baby food and home cooking ingredients were the food categories that resisted the downward trend in sales, with sales increasing... ...Read more »

A leading representative group for Australia’s organic food and farming industry, says that the recent strong growth predictions for the organic industry reflect data and trends identified in ongoing market research commissioned by the industry. In survey findings released last week by independent global industry researcher IBISWorld, organic farming was tipped to be a front-runner in the areas of revenue and employment in Australia. In its report on the “top 10″ growth industries,... ...Read more »

Organic food sales in Germany, the largest European market for the sector, were “stagnant” in 2009, according to the latest industry data. Figures from Germany’s organic food federation, the BÖLW, said there had been particular losses in food retailing and discount stores. Estimated turnover in the sector amounted to around EUR5.85bn (US$8.52bn), which BÖLW said was “roughly the same” or even “slightly less” than last year. “The reason is price declines... ...Read more »

While trading down and out of some segments is common during tough economic times, consumers that buy natural and organic food are staying loyal to this health-conscious category, according to new American research. A recent survey from market research firm Mintel shows that nearly 40% of consumers claim they haven’t changed organic product purchasing habits because of the recession and only a mere 3% have stopped buying organic products altogether. “Heavy users of natural and organic... ...Read more »

US researchers have suggested that organic products are failing to gain mainstream appeal in the country, despite increasing retail penetration and media attention. According to research firm TABS, there has not been a growth in the number of consumers who purchase organic products over the past 12 months. “The usage results for our latest study were remarkably similar to the results from last year’s study. Organic food and beauty products continue to be niche products, they have not... ...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 »