Market information

In the midst of the financial downturn it is encouraging to report that sales of organic food increased by 1.7% last year – in marked contrast to the prophecies of doom made by some. This growth points to some underlying resilience in the organic market, suggesting that it has the potential to grow dynamically once the economy picks up.

What's new?

• Read Phil Stocker's comments on Defra's latest Organic Statistics 2008

Soil Association Organic Market Report 2009

Key findings

• UK sales of organic products increased overall by 1.7% in 2008 to over £2.1 billion, growing strongly in the first six to nine months and then falling back in the face of the economic downturn in late 2008 and early 2009
• Sales through multiple retailers increased by 1.8% to £1.54 billion; sales through independent retailers are up 1.4% to £568 million
• Dairy products account for 29.5% of spending; fresh fruit and vegetables for 26.2%; red meat and poultry for 8.9%; beverages for 8.6%
• The amount of land managed to organic standards in the UK increased by 10% in 2007 to 676,387 hectares (ha). Organic farmland accounts for 3.9% of the UK’s agricultural land area
• Read the full report

Price data

Producers, growers, processors and retailers - improve your business planning by keeping your eye on the market in our price data page, with sections on:

• Arable price data
• Horticulture price data
• Livestock, dairy and eggs price data

Marketing information

Briefing papers, factsheets and technical guides on marketing opportunities, tips and regional groups. The following factsheets are available to members only:

• Marketing information for organic growers
• Marketing information for organic farmers - meat, milk, eggs, grain 

To order the above please send your request - together with your name and membership/licensee number - to ff@soilassociation.org  or call 0117 914 2400.

• Find out more about the benefits of producer membership

Organic Marketplace

The Soil Association's organic marketplace is the UK's biggest searchable directory of organic livestock, forage and grazing. The organic marketplace allows you to buy and sell organic livestock, grazing and forage online at any time, searching for your specific requirements by country, region and date.

• Find out more about the organic marketplace