Organics urged to satisfy home demand

THE market for organically produced food is expected to grow from two to seven per cent within five years, according to Padraig Brennan of Bord Bia.

Speaking at the Irish Organic Trust AGM in Portlaoise last week, he said that this market is currently worth £4 billion in the EU but it will grow into the future.

The percentage of land farmed organically in Ireland is below the EU average, but roughly the same as in the UK, Spain and France, according to Padraig Brennan.

Countries such as UK, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium import over half of their organic products.

He urged the organic farm sector to try to meet the domestic requirements before going into export.

"Growth will be from a low base, with less than half a per cent of Irish land farmed organically," he said.

There is now increasing demand for convenience, value-added organic foods with a longer shelf life.

Retailers in countries throughout Europe, who have reduced the prices of organic foods, have found that customers have responded and they have grown their share of the market.

The development of the sector is an important niche market in Ireland and in Europe.

It will depend on close co-operation between retailers, producers, certification bodies and state agencies to meet the demand of discerning customers, according to Padraig Brennan.