Consumers waiting to buy organic produce

10 September 1998

Consumers waiting to buy organic produce

THERE are many consumers who would like to buy organic produce but cannot afford the premium of up to 50% which is being charged, reports The Independent in a feature on organic food.

The paper reports that organic produce now accounts for annual UK business of £260 million, a doubling of the market since 1996 and a tenfold increase over eight years.

Some 70% of current production is imported.

The Government increased its Organic Aid Scheme – the subsidy it pays farmers to convert from chemical methods – by 80% earlier this year.

• The Independent 10/09/98 page 9 (Thursday Review)