Organic outperforms conventional food market

Attendees at this year’s Organic Trade Conference heard how the sales value of the organic food and drink market grew 6.4% in the year to 24 August 2024, compared to non-organic’s 5.4% (NIQ Scantrack Organic v non Organic Food & Drink August 2024).

Soil Association Certification commercial director Alex Cullen said: “There have been some tough times and challenges remain, but it is great to see the sector bouncing back from the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis as shoppers seek the wellness and sustainability credentials that organic provides.​

Open to organic

Consumers are becoming more open to buying organic food and drink products as the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis seem to ease up.

New data from NielsenIQ found that the higher cost of living was the biggest concern of 29% of consumers, co

Harvest results variable due to challenging weather​

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) have released their sixth and final harvest report​ of the 2024/25 season, with data from the Met Office highlighting how dry weather towards the beginning of harvest gave way to frustrating delays towards the end.

With harvesting of cereals and oilseeds now complete for all farmers in AHDB’s survey across the UK, the report looks back at the results of the 2024 harvest.

Helen Plant, AHDB Senior Analyst (Cereals & Oilseeds), said: “Despite being planted later than usual, spring crops generally fared much better than winter crops, which had a very tough start with the second wettest August through February since 1837, when records began.”

Weather conditions were favourable during much of the 2024 wheat harvest, and 88% was cut by 28 August, well ahead of the five-year average of 60% complete at that stage. But progress slowed down notably in September as rain and humid conditions led to interruptions. Yields are estimated to be down 7% on average across the UK, at 7.5t/ha. While some growers have managed to produce high yields given the circumstances, many have seen significant drops.

The barley harvest (both winter and spring) is now complete and quality has been good, with good germination scores reported, but low nitrogen levels. Moisture content of spring barley samples increased on average as the harvest progressed into Scotland. However, moisture adjusted yields were only reported to be down 3% on the five-year average level across the UK.

There was a noticeable improvement in performance across oats towards the end of harvest, reflecting the transition from winter oats to spring oats. The winter crop was, generally, established in poor conditions, but while many spring oats were planted much later than usual, they had a favourable start. Oat yields (winter and spring crops combined) in the UK were just 2% below the five-year average.

Oilseed rape quality has been good this season, with oil content high. Yields have been variable from region to region and are down 8% on average, at 2.97t/ha.

Helen added: “It is evident just how variable yields are from region-to-region, farm-to-farm, and field-to-field. This is not surprising given the unusual weather we have experienced, but the larger drop in yields for some businesses will pose significant cash flow challenges.

“With harvest complete attention is now turning to establishing the 2025 crop. Many will be eager to get winter cereals in the ground considering last year’s extremely wet autumn and winter conditions.”

mpared with 57% two years ago. Instead, it was other areas such as health and wellness that were becoming a bigger concern – 28%, up from 11% in November 2022.

Now, 69% of shoppers said they actively look for sustainable/eco certifications or logos when buying food and drink.

Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at NielsenIQ, said: “Shoppers are increasingly aware of the need to balance the future demands of a growing population, as well as their own health, with a change to their diets. ​

Opportunity to educate

“But there is also opportunity to inform and educate about the need for changes in how we produce food and in the supporting the supply chain as part of helping UK food security. Organic is part of this journey.”​

Last week’s Organic trade Conference – hosted by Soil Association Certification – comes one year on from the launch of ‘Organic For All’, a shared vision and pathway to make organic food affordable, available and accessible to everyone in society.

Meanwhile, the UK Government has been told to double the land used to grow fruit and vegetables in England​​ in order to improve diets and ease the climate and nature crisis.

In an open letter co-ordinated by the Soil Association, figures from across the farming, food and environmental sectors called on new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to scale up the UK horticulture sector.