According to new data* from
Euromonitor International, Western Europe is currently the largest market for
organic food in the world and typically accounts for 45-50% of global sales. The
UK has experienced a 278% increase in retail sales from 1996-2000 and is the fastest
growing organic foods market
in Europe.
Consumers tempted by
easy-availability of organic foods through supermarkets
Go deeper with GlobalData
Although European growth
is being restrained by static demand in Germany, which has a well established
market of considerable size, the UK organic foods market is thriving. It has
taken UK consumers longer to embrace the concept of organic foods but sales
are now expanding rapidly due to greater availability through supermarkets,
which account for 70% of all organic food sales.
Retail Sales of Organic
Foods in Western Europe 1996-2000
| US$ million |
1996 |
2000 |
% growth |
| Austria | 175 | 400 | 128.6 |
| Belgium | 60 | 200 | 233.3 |
| Denmark | 250 | 600 | 140.0 |
| France | 615 | 1,250 | 103.2 |
| Germany | 1,600 | 2,500 | 56.3 |
| Italy | 500 | 1,100 | 120.0 |
| Netherlands | 230 | 700 | 204.3 |
| Sweden | 150 | 400 | 166.7 |
| Switzerland | 270 | 600 | 122.2 |
| UK | 330 | 1,250 | 278.9 |
| Other Europe | 150 | 550 | 250.0 |
Source: Euromonitor
Organic greens top of
the shopping list
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By GlobalDataVegetables and fruits are
the most demanded produce. They represent 40 and 18 percent respectively of
total organic sales, whereas the market share for meat is 11 percent and 9 percent
for dairy products. Other products including bread, cereals, savoury snacks,
processed foods, baby food, cooking oils, confectionery, hot beverages and soft
drinks have a 22 percent market share.
The ‘Good Life’ goes
mainstream
Organic foods was previously
seen as the preserve of a dedicated group of ‘beard and sandal brigade’ consumers,
but the market has grown to occupy a small but significant mainstream niche.
In addition, the market is buoyant and looks set to show continuing healthy
growth. UK trade in organic food is expected to increase over the next 10 years
to between 10% and 15% of all food sales
*Organic Foods in
Europe, published August 2000
