Data reveals demand for organic is at three-year high

New data has shown organic sales have seen their highest growth in the last three years.

According to the latest Nielsen data, since January 2020, organic sales in supermarkets have seen the highest growth since December 2016. It was also found that organic food and drink sales year on year recorded growth of 6.1 per cent, almost double the growth of non-organic food and drink products (3.2 per cent) for the 52 weeks ending May 30, 2020. Nielsen data shows an 18.7 per cent increase in organic sales in the 12 weeks ending May 30, which includes 10 weeks of lockdown, compared to 14.2 per cent increase in non-organic food and drink*.

The Soil Association pointed out that this comes at a time when external events have fast-tracked already changing shopper behaviours towards personal health, transparency and integrity; a YouGov survey commissioned by the Food Farming and Countryside Commission and The Food Foundation revealed that 42 per cent of people feel the crisis has made them value food more.

These changing behaviours seem set to support the organic sector in exceeding the end of 2020 market value of £2.5bn projected by Soil Association Certification, with the sector now on track to hit the £2.6bn mark. Products which have seen exceptional demand and outperforming are beef (+15.3 per cent), eggs (+14.8 per cent), preserves and spreads (+18.3 per cent) and sparkling wine (+47 per cent**).

Finn Cottle, Trade Consultant at Soil Association Certification, commented: “As this crisis emerged, and food was placed firmly in the spotlight, it became apparent that consumer habits were shifting: from less frequent shopping trips, to supporting local and independent stores, online shopping to receiving weekly deliveries of organic fruit and veg. What seems clear is that at a time when quality and safety are of importance for consumers, organic ‘stands out,’ with its benefits of transparency and integrity.

“Despite the likelihood of tighter budgets, shoppers are choosing quality, good taste, and ethical options. Sustainability and protecting the environment remains high on their wish list – and with so many of us finding nature a vital source of respite in these difficult times – citizens seem to be making more planet-centric choices.

“Organic brands, retailers and businesses have a huge part to play in reinforcing the credentials of organic – as a farming system ‘working with nature’ to restore goodness in the land, with a positive impact on personal health and wellness, and our environment. With more people than ever understanding this connection, I think the sector has a lot to feel confident about.”

Spelt brand moves to compostable packaging

Sharpham Park has announced its British spelt brand has moved its pasta range into home compostable packaging.
Made in the UK by an artisan Italian pasta maker using Sharpham Park’s award-winning spelt flour, the new pasta is ideal for vegans and those following a plant-based diet. The first three shapes in the range are Gigli Rigati, Casarecce and Conchiglie.
Founder, Roger Saul, commented: “We’re delighted to be launching this pasta as it’s taken us a long time to work out the best way to create a delicious tasting premium spelt pasta in an ethical and sustainable manner. Having the pasta manufactured in the UK by an Italian pasta maker has ensured our food miles are as low as possible. We’re delighted to be launching our home compostable packaging, which we believe is the way forward for food packaging and one which we will be utilising throughout our range in 2020.”

Lucy Bee’s Organic Coconut Water

Promotion

Coconut Water

Lucy Bee’s Organic Coconut Water is naturally refreshing and hydrating with a subtle coconut flavour – it is not from concentrate and has no added sugar. It’s a good source of potassium and contains electrolytes too.

It is from the Philippines where the palms grow in agroforestry. Fair Trade is at the foundation of all that we do at Lucy Bee, and the premiums ensure:

• No exploitation of workers
• Funds to support education
• Funds for a feeding programme for undernourished children
• Projects such as coconut planting initiatives
• Monkeys do not pick the coconuts used in this water

Our Coconut Water is great to:

• Drink as it comes – it’s like drinking it straight from the coconut!
• Use as a staple in your smoothies
• Rehydrate after the gym

Available on shop.lucybee.com and at most Asda stores

Goodbye Plastic…Hello Eco-Friendly Product Packaging

Promotion

Introducing Good Health Naturally’s new product packaging range – healthy for you and the planet.

As the world becomes ever more conscious of its eco-footprint, it’s the responsibility of companies to play their part by reducing their use of plastic packaging.

In 2020, Good Health Naturally has made an environmental pledge to only use glass, aluminium and bio-based recyclable plastic packaging across their product lines. Even with the current global restrictions we are faced with, they are continuing to make their move to Eco-Friendly Product Packaging, with a major rebranding of the entire product range at the same time.

Where possible, recyclable glass bottles with metal caps will replace previous packaging in all products. Other products like their serrapeptase enzyme range, will be sold in bio-based recyclable plastic packaging. This is a sustainable alternative made by producing biobased HDPE and LDPE from green polyethylene, using waste collected from the sugar cane industry that doesn’t require a food resource. This makes the packaging 100 per cent ethical and sustainable.

There will also be the introduction of aluminium packaging for some of the liposomal products which requires up to 95% less energy to recycle and thereby avoids corresponding emissions, including greenhouse gases. Also, nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today!

Revamping the product lines will happen in stages, with some new packaging updates and labels already on the shelves, and the rest occurring as stock is reordered throughout 2020 and into 2021.

To see the new design, go to www.wholesalehealthltd.co.uk

Time for the menstrual cup

Promotion

Shopping habits are seeing a change, not just due to panic buying or simply not being able to get to the shops. Some people are using this time to discover or try out new things. One area that is experiencing change is feminine hygiene. In some areas, sanitary wear has been hard to find and vanished along with the loo rolls. For some women, they have taken this more relaxed time and away from the pressures of work to try something new, using a menstrual cup.
Are you missing out on extra sales opportunities? Read on to discover why Organicup has become a best seller

Why choose OrganiCup?
• Pharmaceutical grade, highly flexible and soft silicone.
• Vegan friendly and Allergy Certified
• Easy to use
• Three sizes
• Eco friendly packaging with all the instructions on the inside of the pack rather than an in-pack leaflet.
• Cotton storage bag
• Long lasting

www.organicup.com