News - Retail & Direct Sales (59 articles)
This section combines information on the market for and retail of organic produce. Further information can be obtained from external sites including The Soil Association who provide technical information and marketing advice on retail. In addition, their annual market report and similarly, Organic Centre Wales offer market intelligence and information. For information on direct sales, visit the National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association or download the pdf document How to set up a vegetable box scheme from Local Food Works. The Organic Directory provides information about other organic producers in your area. The Soil Association’s GEORgE project provides regionalised information on organic markets.
ORC OPEN DAYS
Added: 25th June 2010
Celebrating 30 years of the Organic Research Centre
The Organic Research Centre is holding two open days on the 16th & 17th of July as part of our 30th Anniversary programme.
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Communicating the organic message
Added: 19th May 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer conference
OF&G initiatives – a certifier’s perspective
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Making organic farming work financially
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
This session pulled together about 25 - 30 people looking to find out how they can make organic farming work financially, four presentations were given on the use of benchmarking and the financial performance of organic farms compared to conventional. The final presentation was an interesting take on money recycling and how to keep this within the organic system. A number of questions were then taken that ranged from ‘How much will the consumer be prepared to pay for organic food?' to ‘The biggest cost to my business is the cost of certification can this be justified?'. The conclusion from the discussion was that we must not be despondent as co-operation is working within different sectors. However, we need to co-operate more and be willing to commit to a price.
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Sustainable Food Security
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
The discussion on “Sustainable Food Security” was lead by presentations by Niels Halberg who presented a paper titled “Is Organic Farming an unjustified luxury in a world with too many hungry people?” and Lawrence Woodward with a paper titled “Organic Farming and Food Security – A UK Perspective”. Halberg spoke of how an increasing world population and climate change will be a challenge to food security but there is a need for a new production paradigm to integrate natural resource management with food and nutritional security. He suggested that organic (both certified and non-certified) can significantly contribute to this new approach. Woodward raised the questions of why UK governments and policy makers do not see organic farming as being part of the solution and conclude that it was probably due to the focus on yields rather than total productivity. He concluded that organic farming does have a role to play in food security but that the real challenge is shifting the policy debate from more food at any cost. We need to embrace food sovereignty and this will allow us to call for and make fundamental change.
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ORC Producer Conference 2010 proceedings now available online
Added: 1st April 2010
Session summaries & presentations from this years conference
We are pleased to be able to offer content from the 2010 Organic Research Centre's Producer Conference online.
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Organic Buyers Resilient In Recession
Added: 24th September 2009
One in five UK shoppers stay loyal to organic says IGD study
The organic market is complex and media reports of dramatically falling sales are too simplistic. Undoubtedly there is a significant downturn but this varies with product and region. Some companies are still reporting increases in sales, whilst others are maintaining they are holding there own. A survey conducted by leading industry analyst IGD in August has revealed that an impressive number of UK consumers are remaining loyal to organic.
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2010 ORGANIC PRODUCERS’ CONFERENCE
Added: 24th September 2009
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
7th and 8th January 2010 Harper Adams University, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
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Join the campaign to grow the organic market in the UK
Added: 8th September 2009
We have done it, will you?
The benefits that organic produce and organic farming bring to both consumers and society, need to be communicated much better to the public. A bid to the EU could secure funds to organize a large marketing campaign to support the sector.
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Resilient OMSCo provides a lifeline for organic Dairy Farmers of Britain
Added: 12th June 2009
Steady sales enable Organic dairy co-op take on DFB farmers
The Organic Milk Suppliers Co-op is taking on the organic farmer members of the collapsed Dairy Farmers of Britain. The agreement which had been planned for later this year was brought forward and will allow OMSCo to achieve efficiencies on haulage and administration. Organic milk sales are holding up despite media stories of a collapse but rising feed costs are a concern. Meanwhile, OMSCo Chief Executive Hugh Bowles has told farmer members of Organic Arable that he is looking for a fair price deal to enable him to source UK arable products. The gulf between the price expectations of dairy and arable farmers remains significant but co-operation between these two groups, which both have their origins in ORC’s advisory department, is a possibility.
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Bid for EU money to overcome “weak and misunderstood” organic brand
Added: 12th June 2009
Organic sector bid for EU promotion funds is being set up
A UK organic sector initiative is being established to access EU funds set aside to promote awareness of organic food and farming. There is a view that the organic brand is weak and misunderstood in the UK and a national programme is needed to address this. Other EU countries have been accessing these funds since 2004 and now a sector wide initiative, co-ordinated by Sustain and supported by ORC and others, is preparing a bid for Defra to submit to the EU later this year. The initial core group is actively seeking the involvement of all parts of the sector to ensure that the bid and the subsequent campaign are successful.
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€18 Million EU research confirms organic claims
Added: 8th June 2009
QLIF shows benefits but more work needed
The five-year, €18 million research programme, part-funded by the EU, on the quality of organic and low input foods has come to a close with a conference in Turkey in April 2009 and the publication of summaries of the main results. A huge number of projects completed over 5 years have confirmed much of what organic supporters have been saying about organic food and farming systems but has not been able to supply the definitive answer on health claims that many had hoped for. Some new insights have been gained however and interesting perspectives on how the organic system might be further developed have emerged.
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Kingshay: Jersey & Guernsey and Organic Production
Added: 7th May 2009
Latest market & yield information from DairyCo - April 2009
The Kingshay Channel Island and Organic Herd Production data has been published, 23rd April 2009 on the Farm Data and Prices section of DairyCo. It includes both Organic monthly and Organic annual rolling averages.
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Soil Association market report released
Added: 7th April 2009
Economic downturn has affected the organic market
The organic market has sufferedfrom the current finaicial situation but overall, sales have increased by 1.7% to £2.1 billion.
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Organic Livestock Products
Added: 11th February 2009
Market for organic livestock products better than expected?
New analysis shows that organics sales could be holding up better than thought.
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Local not always better for the environment
Added: 6th February 2009
Shopping locally may not be as good for the environment
New research by the University of Exeter claims that shopping locally might not be better than having it delivered.
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The Organic Research Centre Producer Conference
Added: 22nd January 2009
Proceedings, slides and notes from the January conference
Conference Proceedings
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Organic Movement or Market?
Added: 16th January 2009
Organic farmers and producers in hot debate
Lively discussions at the recent Organic Research Centre Producer Conference.
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Crunch time for real organic market
Added: 17th October 2008
Pioneers to pay price of economic squeeze?
Many organic businesses are facing unprecedented pressure.
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An end to organic bacon?
Added: 3rd October 2008
Unified response needed on nitrate and nitrite use
OF & G calls for the organic sector to respond to proposals which could end organic pork sales.
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Welsh organic gathering
Added: 3rd October 2008
Welsh Organic Prod Conference Oct 2008
This year's Organic Centre Wales conference is entitled 'Preparing for a challenging future'
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Spanish organic farming acres double
Added: 1st August 2008
Organic production for export is booming in Spain
Although less than 1% of Spanish consumers eat organic, organic export market is booming.
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Hugh loses Tesco battle
Added: 27th June 2008
Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall’s Tesco campaign fails
TV chef Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall’s campaign to persuade Tesco investors to adopt new standards for the rearing of birds ends unsuccessfully.
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Organic boxes an unaffordable luxury?
Added: 25th June 2008
As finances become tight, sales of organic veg boxes suffer
Organic veggie boxes seen as an unaffordable luxury.
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Further organic growth expected
Added: 18th June 2008
Consumers still willing to pay for quality, during downturn
In spite of current economic difficulties, consumers are still willing to “trade-up” on quality and premium food.
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Making more use of research
Added: 2nd June 2008
Research information more accessible for farmers & growers
Mark Measures, Director of the Institute of Organic Training and Advice summarises the improved access to research information for farmers and advisers.
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Industrialised organic production?
Added: 29th May 2008
The Ecologist looks at the future of organic food
Current growth of the organic sector and what the future holds.
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Increasing free range standards?
Added: 22nd May 2008
Egg industry questioned on ability to meet demand
NFU questions industry ability to meet free range demand and Waitrose try to raise select farm standards.
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Price not biggest barrier to buying organic
Added: 15th May 2008
A survey into shoppers’ perceptions of organic fruit and veg
Survey finds that only 16% of shoppers are driven by cost when buying organic.
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Organic Grain Market Update
Added: 13th May 2008
Prices and commentary on the organic grain market, from Orga
Prices and commentary on the organic grain market, from Organic Grain Link (May 08).
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Waitrose eggs recall
Added: 12th May 2008
Waitrose recalls organic eggs from one farm due to lead shot
Supermarket has recalled eggs from one farm after a flock of its chickens consumed lead shot.
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Welsh organic sector growth
Added: 2nd May 2008
Growth of organically managed land in Wales set to continue
Results from a producer survey by Organic Centre Wales.
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Organic chickens sold in compostable packaging
Added: 28th April 2008
Sainsbury Scottish organic chickens sold in compostable pack
Sainsbury’s Scottish stores now sell its So Organic whole chickens in compostable trays to reduce packaging waste going to landfill.
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Website to encourage shopping at farmers’ markets
Added: 10th April 2008
Kent Farmers’ Market Association has launched a new website
Kent Farmers’ Market Association has launched a new website to make farmers’ markets more convenient and encourage more people to shop there.
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Organic egg supply chain faces collapse
Added: 8th April 2008
Warning by major organic feed compounder.
Humphreys Feeds warns that high prices of organic raw materials could ‘paralyse’ the organic egg sector.
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Organic Arable launches
Added: 2nd April 2008
Organic Arable - an independent grain marketing organisation
Formerly the Organic Arable Marketing Group, Organic Arable has officially taken over the marketing of members’ grain from Grainfarmers.
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Free-range eggs outsell battery eggs
Added: 1st April 2008
Sales of free-range eggs outstrips battery farms
For the first time free-range eggs have overtaken sales from battery farms.
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Producer Groups
Added: 10th March 2008
Newsletter asks why farmers need organic producer groups
The Northern Organic Newsletter asks why farmers should bother with organic producer groups.
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Free-range and organic versus British poultry
Added: 7th March 2008
Poultry sales show high demand for higher welfare chicken
Recent news on poultry sales has caused concern over the rapid acceleration of demand for higher welfare chicken.
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First Milk report on the real price of milk
Added: 5th March 2008
Report, ‘The real price of milk" urges fair trade for farms
The Co-operative First Milk has published its new report ‘The Real Price of Milk’ which urges fair trade for British dairy farmers.
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Organix is to be sold to Swiss company
Added: 29th February 2008
Organix to be taken over by Swiss company
The sale will net the owners a multimillion-pound cash windfall.
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Food aid rationing due to climbing food prices
Added: 26th February 2008
World Food Programme, budget strains due to high food prices
World Food Programme officials warn that high food prices are causing budget requirements to rise by several million dollars a week.
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Asda: second biggest grocer, and growing
Added: 22nd February 2008
Despite rising global food prices, Asda aims for low costs
Despite the threat of rising global food prices, Asda will continue to expect suppliers to cut their costs before it increases prices.
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Groceries market inquiry – proposals published
Added: 18th February 2008
The Competition Commission tackles competition in groceries
Following its initial report in October, the Competition Commission has published proposals to remedy its findings in UK groceries retailing.
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Doing it right, Doing it better - proceedings
Added: 8th February 2008
The Organic Research Centre's 2nd Producer Conference
Proceedings from the conference, hosted in collaboration with Organic Inform, are now available online.
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Shortages jeopardise organic sector
Added: 25th January 2008
Report from Mintel on demand for organic food
Marketing analysts Mintel suggests that the increased popularity of organic food be its downfall.
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Organic Inform Newsletter
Added: 25th January 2008
Monthly Organic Inform newsletter with latest news & events
Each month, Organic Inform puts together a newsletter with the latest news and events. Register to ensure you receive your copy.
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New organic marketing opportunity
Added: 21st January 2008
Soil Association compiling new regional organic directories
Local businesses are being asked to request a listing in the directory.
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UK public sector poor at buying local
Added: 17th January 2008
CLA claims the public sector has should buy more local food
According to the CLA, the public sector has “simply not got the message that purchasing local food helps support local jobs”.
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Is organic food at risk of ‘bland’ marketing?
Added: 15th January 2008
OU study warns organic food must address its distinctiveness
A new OU study warns that organic food is in danger of becoming “just another commercial brand” unless it is able to address its distinctiveness.
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Poultry welfare standards high on agenda
Added: 11th January 2008
Supermarkets respond to campaign for higher chicken welfare
Following recent television programmes campaigning for higher welfare chicken, a number of supermarkets have responded positively.
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Chicken Out! week: the debate
Added: 10th January 2008
Hugh’s Chicken Run, presented by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
The programme presented by the tv chef and food campaigner, will run over three consecutive episodes on Channel 4, as the start of The Big Food Fight season.
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Viability of UK organic beef production
Added: 7th January 2008
Soil Assoc report shows danger to organic beef development
The report shows why the security and development of organic beef production is being endangered.
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Organic farm shop opens at General Hospital
Added: 3rd January 2008
Southampton General Hospital sees opening of a farm shop
The hospital has opened the shop in its foyer: the first of its kind in Europe and among only a few in the world.
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Yeo Valley starts the New Year with re-launch
Added: 2nd January 2008
Leading UK organic brand has brand re-design
To help sustain its 20% year on year growth rate, leading UK organic brand is starting 2008 with a complete brand re-design.
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Organic sales reach £2 billion
Added: 1st September 2007
Findings of the SA 2007 Organic Market report...
The Soil Association’s 2007 Organic Market Report suggests further growth with sales of £2 billion and average weekly growth of £7 million.
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Welsh Organic Horticulture Sector Market Review
Added: 25th July 2007
Organic Centre Wales’ review just released
A market review on the horticultural market in Wales.
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New report suggests organic sales top £1 billion
Added: 18th June 2007
TNS Worldpanel releases figures about the organic market
The figures suggest the organic market continues to grow, but more slowly than last year.
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The UK market for organic vegetables
Added: 7th March 2007
Report provides insight into the UK organic market
HDRA report on supply and demand for individual UK vegetable crops as well as trends within the market.
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Feature: Organic Market Report 2006
Added: 31st December 2006
The Soil Association's annual report
Organic sector body's annual report into the state of the global, European and UK organic market provides information on trends in retail, production
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