Organic market keeps growing

 ENGLISH FARMERS are producing an increasing share of the organic food market that is expected to grow by 9% a year to 2007.

Two years ago English farmers produced 30% of the organic food sold in the country. Their share has since risen to 44%, according to a new government report.

Some in the industry have expressed doubts regarding the projected annual growth rate of 9%.

The Soil Association described the government review of the organic market as “bullish”.

But the demand for organic products has continued to increase, and the report claims that at present three-quarters of UK households buy some organic food.

Moreover, the growth rate indicates that UK organic farmers are on course to reach the government’s target of producing 70% of the organic food sold here by 2010.

DEFRA junior minister Ben Bradshaw praised the achievements by organic farmers.

But he emphasised that “there is much more that can and must be done to meet the demand of consumers for British-grown organic products”.