Australian consumers are continuing to embrace organic produce, with three out of every five now buying organic products. A Newspoll survey of 1000 Australian shoppers, commissioned by the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA), discovered that 61 per cent of Australians buy organic - up from 43 per cent in 2003 (according to a University of Central Queensland study). The rapid rise is not surprising given the growth of the industry over the past four years. The Australian Organic Market Report,... ...Read more »

Despite more organic food and beverage products on grocery store shelves, all is not healthy in the world of pesticide-free, additive-free edibles. Mintel, a global supplier of market and consumer intelligence, predicts that market growth rates for organic food and drink will decline, especially if the economy falters further. According to Mintel, the market for organic foods and beverages should reach $7.2 billion in 2008, an increase of over 140% from the $3.0 billion recorded during 2003. But... ...Read more »

The European Commission launched a new Organic Farming Campaign at the beginning of the week to improve farmer and consumer awareness of organic produce. Under the campaign slogan: “Organic farming. Good for nature, good for you”, the promotional campaign aims to inform consumers about the meaning and benefits of organic farming and food production. The campaign will focus on increasing consumer awareness and recognition of organic products, and especially on young people and children... ...Read more »

Eating “better for you” foods rather than dieting appears to be the weapon of choice against the battle of the bulge, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research firm. NPD reports that the percentage of American adults on a diet has decreased by 10 percentage points since 1990, while the percentage of Americans eating healthier foods has increased. “While dieting for both women and men remain huge markets, they are not growing markets,” says Harry Balzer, Vice President... ...Read more »

Children are a big reason for the growth in popularity of organic goods, say major organic industry members. “A substantial amount - up to a third – of our organic category is estimated to be consumed by a person under eight,” says Rick Carmont, brand category manager with the world’s leading dairy exporter, Fonterra. Don Fraser, consultant to organic retail success story Macro Wholefoods Market says consumer concern over food origins and ingredients has parents looking for certified organic... ...Read more »