Organic sector targets £1bn growth in five years

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[Pic: generic pic of organic produce on shelf]

Organic sector targets £1bn growth in five years

Ambitious plans to expand the organic market by £1bn (50%) over the next five years have been announced by trade association, the Organic Trade Board.

With backing from a number of large organic companies, certifiers and retailers, it plans to increase the value of the organic market from £2.1bn to £3.1bn by 2015 using a three-pronged approach that includes:

1. Better engagement with consumers about the benefits of organic

2. Revive retailer confidence in the organic market

3. Work with independent producers to “tell their story” and show the public their origins, beliefs and provenance

“The need to get the organic message across to consumers is always quoted as the biggest barrier to sales growth,” said the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative‘s Huw Bowles, who chairs the OTB.

“With this initiative, we have the opportunity to speak with one voice and engage in a plan designed to grow the market and spread the positive benefits of organic produce.”

Details of how the bold target can be achieved will be presented to stakeholders at a meeting in London today (22 September). Following that event, a final plan will be prepared for publication later in 2009.

A number of organic names have backed the plan, including Green & Blacks, OMSCO, Rachel’s Yeo Valley and Organix.