Organics scarce
Organics scarce
SHORTAGES of organic produce could cap further growth in the market, warns market analyst Datamonitor.
Restricted supplies are producing premiums of between 30% and 100% over conventional food. These are too high and could reduce demand for produce, slowing down the growth in sales, it warns in its latest report European Natural & Organic Food and Drinks.
The situation is exacerbated with retailer promotions of organic food generating more interest.
The UK already imports 70% of its supplies and that could increase unless more domestic produce is grown. This follows the boom in sales which rose by £194m between 1995 and 1998 to reach £334m, says Datamonitor.
The Soil Associations director Patrick Holden suggests the government should do more to encourage more producers to switch to organic production.
The current £6m annual budget for the Organic Farming Scheme is "totally inadequate", says Mr Holden. He believes payments of £450/ha (£182/acre) for IACS-registered land in conversion should be extended after completion to guarantee incomes and encourage producers to make the switch. *