Soil Association tips organic C&T to avoid market downturn

Published: 9-Apr-2009

The organic C&T sector is likely to avoid the troubles that are dogging the organic food market as a result of the recession, says the Soil Association. Its 2009 Organic Market Report found that 2008 was a year of rapid growth for certified organic products, with UK sales reaching £27m, an increase of 69% on 2007. The number of C&T companies licensed by Soil Association Certification Ltd in 2008 reached 90, up 38% on the previous year. In contrast, organic food sales increased by just 1.7% in 2008.


The organic C&T sector is likely to avoid the troubles that are dogging the organic food market as a result of the recession, says the Soil Association. Its 2009 Organic Market Report found that 2008 was a year of rapid growth for certified organic products, with UK sales reaching £27m, an increase of 69% on 2007. The number of C&T companies licensed by Soil Association Certification Ltd in 2008 reached 90, up 38% on the previous year. In contrast, organic food sales increased by just 1.7% in 2008.

According to the report, retailers of organic C&T products enjoyed a successful year in 2008 with Asda’s organic health and beauty products sales increasing 24% and Neal’s Yard Remedies reporting a 13% growth in sales. Manufacturers and raw materials suppliers specialising in organic beauty were also said to be flourishing.

The Soil Association added that the lack of a discernible price premium for organic over non-organic products combined with the high level of media interest in the sector meant that sales of organic health and beauty products looked set to remain strong despite the ongoing recession.

In other news, the Soil Association has recognised the best organic businesses at the Soil Association Organic Awards 2009, held on 5 April. Lucy Russell Organics scooped the award for the best organic facial skin care product with its Rose Toner while Coconut Candy Scrub by Essential Care was named best organic body care product. Maclaren’s Absorbing Dusting Powder was thought to be the best organic baby product.

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