Organic Sales Up - But Most Imported

Archived

Wednesday, 16 October 2002

Sales of organic food and drink are booming in the UK, but the majority of organic produce is still imported, according to new figures published by the Soil Association yesterday.
The report shows the amount of organic land in the UK has almost doubled in the last year, and sales of organic food are the second highest in Europe, yet we still import 65%. The French import only 10% of their organic produce.

Cheap imports are also making it harder for organic growers and producers in the UK to make a living.

Launching the report at the Royal College of Surgeons in London yesterday, environment minister Michael Meacher said that the organic food movement would be one of the most "exciting and important achievements, both of government and society over the next few years".

The Soil Association's director, Patrick Holden, said that the figures were very exciting for the organic movement, but that the challenge was to persuade retailers to honour their "buy British first" policies.

Source: Felicity Lawrence, consumer affairs correspondent The Guardian Oct 15 02