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.

“While that level of growth has slowed in recent months, the retail market is still expanding in double-digit figures.

“While we are still some way off the target of 5% set down in the Programme for Government, we are certainly heading in the right direction,” he said.

Mr Sargent said some of the initiatives taken are having a positive impact and he was really impressed with the information available at the organic farm walks he attended during 2008.

National Organic Week was also a great success, with the earlier September date making a difference in terms of availability of local organic produce.

The minister said the publication of the Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012 last year was the single most important initiative in driving the sector forward in Ireland. He said he hoped the delivery of the actions outlined in the plan would provide the impetus needed to help reach the target outlined in the Programme for Government.

Mr Sargent was recently presented with the fifth report of the National Steering Group for the sector by its chairman John Duggan.

One of the objectives of the group, which was set up in December 2002 and is in its second three-year term, is to increase awareness among consumers of organic food and farming. It also aims to increase the production base in Ireland and to develop sustainable export markets as supplies become available.