The UK organic vegetable market has stabilised and matured according to recent research from the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA).
The organic specialists said the sector is still in growth and is now more self-sufficient, with sales totalling close to £200 million in the 2003-2004 season, with volume at 123,500 tonnes.
Chris Firth, senior business analyst with HDRA, said: “Our research shows the organic vegetable market continues to grow, with traded volumes rising by three per cent last season.
“This does not compare to the dramatic increases of the year before, but does show that this market has stabilised and matured.”
The UK Organic Vegetable Market study, funded by Defra and compiled with the help of more than 40 packers and wholesalers, revealed substantial variations between individual crops and market outlets.
Traded volumes of carrots and salads have increased by 25 per cent, while potato and cabbage volumes have fallen by around 12 per cent.
Direct sales have increased their share of the total organic veg market by 14 per cent. The number of box schemes and home delivery services has increased to 500, with a 20 per cent rise in sales, while the number of farmers’ markets has increased by 11 per cent.
Pre-packers have reported increased market demand, although at a lower rate than in recent years and with a better matching of demand and supply. As a result, their market share has remained similar at 67 per cent.
At the same time, the wholesale sector has reported problems sourcing sufficient volumes of good consistency and has been reflected in a general decline in the volumes sold through the wholesale sector.
Competition is on the rise, the research revealed, which combined with supermarket rivalry has put increased pressure on prices.
The study also found self-sufficiency in the UK had risen to an average of 60 per cent, although the figures vary on a crop-by-crop basis - from 97 per cent for swedes to 34 per cent for onions.
HDRA said it would be building upon the work by performing and in-depth survey of direct outlets in the organic vegetable market this month.
