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 »

Australia’s organic and sugar industries can look forward with anticipation to a successful 2010, according to a leading market forecaster. A list of the top sectors for the year ahead from information analysts IBISWorld Australia also includes online shopping, as the major retailers – including supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths – begin to embrace the online channel. IBISWorld’s Ian MacGowan said rising commodity prices were the reason behind many of the industries on... ...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 »

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 »

A new funding program will bolster support for Victoria’s organic food industry, according to the state government. Announcing the grants package during National Organics Week, Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said Victoria was the biggest producer of organic milk and is the nation’s leading organic food processor. “The Brumby Labor Government’s $400,000 Support for Organics Grant Program will continue to foster Victoria’s nation-leading approach... ...Read more »

Standards Australia has today announced the publication of the first Australian Standard for organic and biodynamic products. The standard (AS 6000-2009 Organic and biodynamic products) outlines the minimum requirements to be met by growers and manufacturers wishing to label their products ‘organic’ and ‘biodynamic’. It will establish an agreed set of procedures to be followed for the production, preparation, transportation, marketing and labelling of organic and biodynamic... ...Read more »

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 local city council in the UK and the Food Standards Agency have successfully prosecuted the company behind an organic food scam worth more than half a million pounds (~A$1million). A home delivery and wholesale business named One Foods Limited supplied a range of products falsely described as organic to consumers and businesses across the UK. The fraud took place over a five year period. One Food Limited Director Neil Stansfield has received a 27 month prison sentence, while Company Secretary Kate... ...Read more »

Research from Whole Foods Market, the leading American organic foods supermarket, has discovered that around two-thirds of consumers have altered their cooking and eating habits as a result of the economic turbulence. The results, from its annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey conducted by Harris Interactive, found about half (51 per cent) eating dinner at home more often and more than a third (37 per cent) budgeting food shopping trips more strictly. The majority (76 per cent) say they do not... ...Read more »