This year the Soil Association's annual Organic Market Report revealed that the organic sector grew by 2.8% in 2013: the first time the organic market has returned to annual growth since 2008.

Although this marks a return to growth for the sector in the UK, elsewhere in Europe the sector has experienced continuous growth. EU figures show that the overall EU organic land area has increased by about 500,000 hectares each year for the last ten years; organic agriculture in the EU grew by 13 percent per year between 2002 and 2011.

Heartened by the upswing in the UK, and expectant that demand will rise again in the next 12 months, the Soil Association has announced it will be co-hosting an event to help growers take advantage of consumer demand for organic.

On Wednesday 17^th September Rijk Zwaan and the Soil Association are holding an open day at Hunstile Organic Farm, in Bridgwater, Somerset, to support growers take advantage of this increasing demand for organic produce.

The day will feature all the very latest on the organic market, featuring grower perspectives covering small, medium and large scale production and discussions on potential opportunities for growth. Routes to market will also be discussed looking at the potential of grower collaboration, online selling platforms and helping growers identify the right media tools for their business.

Places are available by booking online through the Soil Association website.

Ben Raskin, head of horticulture at the Soil Association commented, "This event really gives the growers the opportunity to connect with a seed supplier, to view variety developments and provide growers with some excellent practical and technical information."