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In time of recession, can organic food be a reality for the majority?

In time of recession, can organic food be a reality for the majority?. Susanne Padel Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences. Outline. 10 year trends of the organic sector Who is the organic consumer? Some more recent trends of the organic market

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In time of recession, can organic food be a reality for the majority?

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  1. In time of recession, can organic food be a reality for the majority? Susanne Padel Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences

  2. Outline • 10 year trends of the organic sector • Who is the organic consumer? • Some more recent trends of the organic market • Can organic food be a relality?

  3. Organic agricultural land by region (2007)

  4. Global organic market 1999-2007 • 97% of consumer demand in North America (43%) and Europe (54%). • Asia, Latin America and Australasia are important producers and exporters • Supply problems for fruits, vegetables, beverages, cereals, grains, seeds herbs and spices • Growth at lower rate is expected to continue

  5. UK organic certified land area since 1997

  6. UK Organic sector development since 1997

  7. Organic market and sales channels Source: KeyNote (2008)

  8. Who are the organic consumers? We used to think • Higher social class and education • 2/3 are A,B,C1 (compared with 1/2 in population) • Fewer children and older • Mainly living in London, South East, South West and Wales But appeal has widened • Manual and casual workers, students and pensioners now account for 50% of consumers

  9. Why people buy organic? (% consider very important) • Quality and taste (31) • No GM ingredients (26) • High animal welfare standards (25) • Avoiding food with pesticides (25) • Avoiding artificial colours & additives (23) • Wanting to know where food come from (22) • Fair prices and wages for farmers &workers (20) • Farming methods encouraging wildlife (20) • Impact of production and transport on greenhouse gases and climate change (14) (Source: Market Tools/ZOmnibus for Soil Association, January 2009)

  10. Regular/committed (15%) Claim to buy more then 40% of food as organic Well educated; health aware Range of income levels Believe in organic product quality Seek other attributes Environment Animal welfare Fair trade and local Account for > 80% of spend Occasional (30%) and rarely (48%) Claim to buy between 35% and 10% as organic More price & convenience sensitive More sceptical about some claims Less knowledge Account for < 20% of spend Two broad segments of consumers

  11. Knowledge and availability remains a problem • ¼ of those that don’t buy regularly would like to know more. • Organic products are bought unknowingly • People believe to buy organic if in fact they are not (e.g. on farmers markets, natural) • Limited knowledge legal status of ‘organic’ and annual inspection/certification requirements

  12. More recent trends • Market has grown by 1.7% between 2007 and 2008 (£2.1 billion) • Nine out 10 households buy organic food • increases in the last 5 years • Broader appeal • Average spending has fallen • from £51.30 to £50.55

  13. Dairy products (29.5% of sales) • Above average growth (07-08) • +10% milk • +11.5 cheese • +1.5 yoghurts • Now the largest sector • Commitment from key players to communication campaign • Comparatively low premiums

  14. Fruit & veg (26.2 % of sales) • Available in supermarkets but also box schemes, local shops, farmers markets • Reductions in consumer spend during 2008 • Heavy reliance on imports • Despite steady increase in horticultural land area in the UK

  15. Meat (<10%) • Above average growth rates • +13% for red meat and • +17% for poultry • Downturn in supermarket sales in late 2008 • Lower value cuts and products (beef burgers) • Cheaper outlets • Affected by grain price increases • Animal welfare important ‘Chicken out’ campaign

  16. Wildlife Difficulties balancing Fair price Taste Quality Health Animal welfare Climate change Local food

  17. Labelling jungle?

  18. Expected responses to the recession...Different types of shopping Fun Source :Bord Bia Research – Feeling the Pinch

  19. Shopping Habits will Change… Fun • Shoppers will first try to reduce cost of Vital essentials • Promotions, Own brand, Discounters • And will then cut out Fun expenditure • Reluctant to cut back on Lifestyle or Sanity purchases • Some affordable luxuries may actually increase! Source :Bord Bia Research – Feeling the Pinch

  20. Specific food purchases –environmental and ethical I have specifically bought… Source: IGD Consumer Unit, 2009

  21. Summary and conclusions • Consumers have reviewed spending on premium organic foods • People continue to seek ways to make a difference • Organic market largely driven by committed regulars

  22. Can organic food be a reality for the majority? • Availability remains a problem • Expensive image, not always reality • Checking prices • Premiums vary between outlets • More home cooking and less convenience food and changes in diet • We need clear messages about the wider benefits of organic food

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