Organic charity the Soil Association is celebrating after its annual Organic September campaign led to an increase in sales and the profile of organic foods, however, though demand is growing, the UK’s organic farmland continues to decline.  

After a brief period of contraction in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the UK organic market has grown consistently for the last few years, with the latest figures released by organic food and farming charity the Soil Association revealing a six percent increase in sales in the year to October 2016.

Organic fruit and veg led the increase over the past year, with sales up 9.6% on last year. Over September, when the Soil Association focuses on promoting the sector, dairy and groceries including jams, cereals, spreads and pastas drove increased sales.

According to market research commissioned by the Association, increases were from customers searching out products with the most credible audited supply chains, amidst a landscape of mistrust of retailers and food companies on consumers’ part. The market research showed consumers had a heightened awareness of food issues and greater interest in food production.

However, the latest farming statistics, released by the government in May, show that there was a 5% fall in organic farmland in the UK between 2014 and 2015. The UK’s organic farmland declined to 521,000ha last year, though there was a slight rise in land under organic conversion (the first such increase since 2007).