Organic market continues to grow

The organic market experienced “steady growth” in 2015, with sales increasing by 4.9 percent, according to the Soil Association 2016 Organic Market Report. This increase marks the third year of consecutive growth for the UK organic sector, which is now worth 1.95 billion pounds.

One of the key areas of growth was sales of Soil Association certified licensed organic apparel and home textiles, all of which is certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard, which recorded an uplift of 16 percent. These products in the UK are now worth 21.6 million pounds.

The Soil Association states that shoppers spent an extra 1.73 million pounds a week on organic products in 2015, and the steady rise of the organic market experienced in the UK mirrors a global trend of growth and widening interest in the organic sector.

This year’s figures highlight a shift in consumer shopping habits, moving towards independent retailers, according to the Soil Association, as well as an increase in young and socially conscious ‘millennials’ with strong social, ethical and environmental values.

“This is a hugely exciting time for the organic sector, with the market set to break through the 2 billion pounds mark in 2016 and reach levels seen before the recession,” said Martin Sawyer, chief executive of Soil Association Certification. “Thanks to the growth of online, it is now possible for retailers to connect consumers with the broadest choice of organic products.”