Farmers urged to look to 38m organic market

RETAIL sales of organic products in Ireland have reached an estimated 38 million this year, the national organics conference was told in Portumna, Co Galway, yesterday.

Bord Bia chief executive Michael Duffy said it was the board s aim to implement a national marketing strategy for the organic sector that would raise the sector’s profile among consumers while encouraging more farmers to opt for organic production.

Launching the first national census of organic production, Minister of State Noel Treacy said the changes in the Common Agricultural Policy following the recent mid-term review should be favourable for the sector.