Expanding organic food retail market off growth target

THE organic food retail market is expanding in Ireland, but it is still some way off the Government’s growth target.

Food Minister Trevor Sargent said he was encouraged by the progress made in the past year. The land area under organic production passed the 1% figure during 2008 and currently stands at 44,600 hectares.

He said the size of the organic retail market is more than 100 million, and has grown by 82% in two years.