The Soil Association (SA) had its first stand at the National Fruit Show this year as part of its campaign to tempt more British growers into converting to organic production.
Sarah Blackford, SA marketing development officer, said the charity exhibited at the 2006 event to raise awareness about Defra incentives for UK producers that convert to organic production, and to offer help and advice for organic producers and those considering conversion.
She said: “There is a real demand for UK-produced organic top fruit. And Defra is offering growers £600 per hectare for the first three years of conversion.”
A total of 6,531 tonnes of organic top fruit was produced in the year to April 2006, according to Soil Association data.
Blackford added that the market for organic production is growing - with vegetable box scheme deliveries reaching 251,000 a week, and an increasing number of parents demanding organic product as part of the Fruit for Schools scheme.
Blackford said the Soil Association would look to exhibit again at the 2007 show. She said: “We have had some of our existing customers coming to see us and we have had some interesting debates with people who are considering converting. This has been a very good day."
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