Finding consensus in the UK organic food movement can be like nailing jelly to a wall. Rapid growth in the last 15 years has meant organics has major brands with multinational backers (think Green & Black’s or Rachel’s Organic). But, hundreds of smaller, regional producers also battling the downturn remain – meaning the sector houses many different views over how to move organic forward. Tuesday (22 September) in London, the Organic Trade Board, laid out its plans to reignite... ...Read more »

A recent report by the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) has suggested that organic foods are more nutritious just a month after a UK report argued there was currently little evidence to indicate that organic food had additional health benefits compared to conventionally produced food. Shane Heaton, Nutritionist for the Biological Farmers of Australia, said the French research was a thorough and critical evaluation of the nutritional quality of organic food, and has found organic foods have higher... ...Read more »

New research from the UK has discovered nearly one in five (19%) shoppers are loyal to organic food and beverages and are maintaining their expenditure despite cost pressures.The research, from grocery industry think-tank IGD, noted that a further 9 per cent plan to buy more organic food when they have a bit more money to spend. However, 10 per cent of shoppers suggest they have found other products that are cheaper but still provide the same perceived benefits. A further 8 per cent are focusing... ...Read more »

The growth of Australia’s burgeoning organic food sector has stagnated this year, according to some of the country’s leading players. Australian sales of organic products rose dramatically between 2004 and 2007, reaching around $600 million on growth of up to 30% per annum for some sectors. Farm-gate sales soared 80 per cent in the same period. However, despite reports of resilience just a few months ago, there are concerns that this year will see flat growth – a far cry from previous... ...Read more »

American sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached US$24.6 billion (A$32.8b) by the end of 2008, soaring 17.1 per cent over 2007 sales despite tough economic times, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). While the overall economy went backwards, sales of organic products reaped strong growth during 2008. “Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products,” Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive... ...Read more »

Figures released by the UK’s Soil Association have discovered the value of the organic market has risen by 1.7% to £2.1bn (A$4.35b) in 2008 in the UK. Although the rise is below the rate of food inflation and represents a fall in volume, it shows that the organic market has slowed rather than collapsed. “The proportion of shoppers telling us that they look for organic food has fallen from 24% last year to 19% this year – but this is still higher than at any time before 2008,”... ...Read more »

Barack Obama, President of the USA, and his wife, Michelle, are showing strong support for organic production, according to Andre Leu, Chair of the Organic Federation Australia, which could provide a boost to the sector in the years ahead. Michelle Obama has already started planting an organic vegetable garden in the White House lawn, with produce from the organic garden to be used for the first family’s meals and at White House formal dinners. The First Lady believes the most important role... ...Read more »

The organic sector’s peak body has said that sales of organic produce have continued to rise despite the gloomy economic outlook, which threatens the strong growth the sector has recorded in recent years. “Organic sales continue to increase because consumers are buying more organic products for home consumption rather than spending on more expensive items such as cars and TVs,” Andre Leu, Chair of the Organic Federation Australia, stated. “Market information from Australia,... ...Read more »

Ballarat-based Hakubaku Australia has completed the largest ever export deal for Australian-made organic retail products into Korea with a $300,000 shipment of organic ‘Somen’ noodles to leading Korean food brand Sajo Haepyo, with the assistance of Austrade. Hakubaku’s products will be sold to approximately 420 stores across Korea the country, representing the second largest retail coverage for any Australian-made product behind Australian beef. Hakubaku’s organic varieties complement... ...Read more »

Being more innovative than most has paid off for three Australian organic companies, whose creative approach to business sees them looking forward to a prosperous 2009 despite the economic turmoil. The recent opening of Z Mills in SE Queensland was a giant step for organic flour milling. Protection from light, reducing the temperature to 4◦Celsius or lower and using nitrogen to exclude oxygen from the milling process means that the enzyme reactions that cause rancidity in flour are virtually eradicated. In... ...Read more »