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Soil Association report reveals that the UK organic market grew to £1.86 billion in 2014.
February 25, 2015
3 Min Read
According to the UK-based Soil Association’s new 2015 Organic Market Report, sales of organic products increased in the UK by 4 percent in 2014—the second straight year of growth. To expand that figure even further, the Soil Association and representatives from the UK organic industry are coming to Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., to showcase both heritage and innovative brands. After all, the U.S. is the largest market for organic products worldwide with 43 percent of global sales, according to the report.
The significant growth in organic sales came in a year when both UK food prices (down 1.9 percent) and food spending (down 1.1 percent) fell. Dairy, and fresh fruit and vegetables, continued to lead the way, with a hefty increase in organic personal care products and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified textiles sales as well.
The mood among organic business in the UK is confident, with an impressive 63 percent predicting growth in 2015, and six out of ten of these businesses (62 percent) anticipating double-digit growth.
According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic products in the U.S. grew approximately 11.5 percent from 2012 to 2013. With a market estimated to now be worth more than $35 billion, and organic standard equivalence with the European Union, the U.S. is a key export focus for UK businesses.
“We’re certainly pleased that the UK market is back, but we know UK brands are attracted by even greater growth in the U.S. domestic market,” says Lee Holdstock, trade relations manager at Soil Association Certification Ltd.
Four leading Soil Association-licensed brands will be participating in the British organic showcase at Expo West (booth 2482) including Soil Association’s longest standing licensee and founder brand, Aspall (award winning apple juice, cyders, and vinegars), as well as Yes, the world’s first line of organically certified organic intimate lubricants, Rainforest Food (food supplements) and Therapia (honey skin care).
Both the Expo’s organizers New Hope and NEXT Trend are predicting growth in the ‘heritage’ trend—great for brands like Aspall, who were founded in 1728, particularly given that traditional ingredients such as cider vinegar as listed as products to watch.
More about the licensees who will be joining Soil Association at Expo-West:
The Aspall cyder-making business was established in 1728. The Chevallier family still live and work among Clement’s orchards and today Aspall—the Soil Association first ever licensee—is still run by the eighth generation of the family.
Yes creates intimacy products which outshine the category, changing consumer’s world from the inside. It’s taken three years of profound research and creativity to create lubrication which offers exceptional performance without compromising purity.
Rainforest Foods manufactures the finest foods in the form of dietary supplements for one fundamental reason: because while relatively few people live near the rainforests, mountains or islands where many superfoods grow, very many people live modern lives where balanced meals at regular intervals are not always possible.
Therapi’s story is one of love, luck and inspiration: a love affair with bees; the luck to meet some very talented people who have helped shape their company; and the occasional spark of genius which has helped them to formulate a range of unique organic honey skin care products.
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