Total sales of organic products increased by 7.1% in 2016 while non-organic sales continued to decline.
Organic represents around 1.5% of the total UK food and drink market.
Key trends highlighted in the report include:
• Supermarket sales of organic have grown by 6.1%
• Independent retailers have increased sales of organic by 6.3%
• Sales of organic home delivery have grown by 10.5%
• The organic foodservice market has grown by 19.1%
Tom Rigby, NFU organic forum chairman, said: “It’s pleasing to see that the organic market is in its fifth year of growth, with sales from supermarkets, independents, wholesale and food service all in growth as well.
“Organic farming offers a ‘growing market’ opportunity for farmers and this report re-iterates this. However, it’s important that growth in demand is met by growth in UK production to reduce our dependence on imports
“Our recent meeting with Farming Minister George Eustice, along with the English Organic Forum, brought confidence to the organic sector that the Government will continue to support organic farming post 2020, therefore the opportunity for UK farmers to convert to organic farming still remains a viable business option.
“The NFU will continue to support organic farming in post-Brexit discussions, and continue to lobby both Westminster and Brussels to ensure that both regulations and market access continue to deliver for British farming.”