Vegetable seed specialist Rijk Zwaan has highlighted the growth of the organic market, and has outlined its aims to help push the category forward.
Quoting statistics from Ecovia Intelligence, Rijk Zwaan pointed out that the market for organic vegetables had expanded in the last 18 years from US$18bn to over US$100bn in 2018, with sales increasing annually, mainly in Europe and North America.
The group said that, while this growth posed challenges for the organic chain of growers, traders and retailers, it was aiming to respond to the challenge by calling on its partners to cooperate and 'become stronger together'.
The demand for more organic products is driven by consumers’ focus on issues like environmental impact, quality of products and food security, as well as worldwide awareness of sustainability.
However, growing organically requires additional attention from all partners in the chain, Rijk Zwaan noted. Starting with the grower, legislation makes it challenging to grow organically.
Rijk Zwaan said it was aware of the challenge and is helping growers to adhere to the latest regulations, but also to choose the right varieties to create an interesting range of products on the shelf.
“Our aim is to share our knowledge with our partners, to bring the organic category to the next level,' said Heleen Bos, marketing specialist for organics at Rijk Zwaan. 'Providing technical knowledge about varieties, growing conditions and legislation, as well as market knowledge and consumer trends helps everyone in our chain. We strongly believe that working together will make us stronger and ensure healthy growth in organics.”
In the coming months, Rijk Zwaan will focus on organics in communications to the media and at events, connecting with all partners in the chain, sharing knowledge and focusing on the quality of its assortment.
In addition, the group is planning special events for its organic partners.
“Our team of specialists is happy to meet and support organic growers and chain partners,' Bos noted. 'We continue to follow trends and market information and our plant breeding department will have some very interesting varieties coming soon.
'Cooperation is the key for us to become stronger together to ensure healthy growth in organics. That’s how we will share a healthy future.”
