The retailer and the NFU are in discussion as to how to improve the volume of home-grown organic produce in the supermarkets.
Tesco has created a working group to help itself meet its target of raising organic sales to £1 billion by 2006.
Oliver Dowding, NFU organic committee chairman, said: 'These discussions bring organic growers and a major retailer in the shape of Tesco closer together and provide each with a better understanding of the issues.
'Market issues will prove to be the key to the future development of our organic farming industry.
'I can't stress enough that without a fair price and profitability for the UK organic farmers and growers to allow for necessary reinvestment, UK producers will not be able to supply this demand.
'Furthermore, in certain commodity sectors UK organic farmers already produce sufficient product to grow the market as Tesco desires. We are looking to retailers to reduce the percentage of imports they sell by replacing them with the available UK supply.' The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has urged retailers to take the lead from Tesco and work more closely with UK organic farmers and growers.
The retailer and the NFU are in discussion as to how to improve the volume of home-grown organic produce in the supermarkets.
Tesco has created a working group to help itself meet its target of raising organic sales to £1 billion by 2006.
Oliver Dowding, NFU organic committee chairman, said: 'These discussions bring organic growers and a major retailer in the shape of Tesco closer together and provide each with a better understanding of the issues.
'Market issues will prove to be the key to the future development of our organic farming industry.
'I can't stress enough that without a fair price and profitability for the UK organic farmers and growers to allow for necessary reinvestment, UK producers will not be able to supply this demand.
'Furthermore, in certain commodity sectors UK organic farmers already produce sufficient product to grow the market as Tesco desires. We are looking to retailers to reduce the percentage of imports they sell by replacing them with the available UK supply.'
No comments yet