Seventh year of growth for organic sales

Sales of organic produce from Scotland have grown for the seventh year in a row.

Data from Soil Association Certification’s Organic Market Report reveals the UK organic market is worth a record high of £2.33 billion and sales turnover from Scottish certification members was up almost 2% last year.

“Organic in Scotland is in the right place to capitalise on consumer trends in the wider food and drink market. Much of Scottish organic produce is bought and sold within Scotland and as more and more shoppers look for locally grown, sustainable produce, organic in Scotland looks set to benefit,” said Soil Association Certification’s business development manager Clare McDermott.

“Agritourism is now big business, with almost half of visitors wanting to sample local food. Organic’s reputation for innovation – in 2018, for example, we certified two of the first organic tea farms in the UK, Windy Hollow Farm in Perthshire and the Isle of Arran Tea Company – is helping to boost this interest in Scotland and is likely to keep sales of organic in Scotland going in the right direction.”

The market report reveals that 24% of all organic land in the UK is in Scotland, and the number of Scottish organic processors and producers rose to 578 last year – up 3.2% on 2016 figures.

Home delivery remains a key growth area with sales through online outlets of home delivery boxes up 14.2% last year.