A new report by the Soil Association reveals the organic market in the UK saw “exceptional” growth in value and volume in 2024, outperforming non-organic with total sales of £3.7bn, double what they were ten years ago.
Sales increased across every key channel, with the major multiples, independent retailers, non-food and hospitality enjoying a particularly strong year.
Sales of organic items in major retailers were worth £2.43bn, up 8%, with unit sales growing four times more than non-organic food and drink at 4.7%.
The positive figures for 2024 follow weaker results in previous years as economic challenges hit demand.
Georgia Philips, commercial and marketing director at Soil Association Certification, said: “The signs are strong that this growth is here to stay with increasing consumer demand, particularly from Gen Z shoppers who are increasingly motivated by healthy and sustainable choices and seeking out organic products.
“But there are still some significant barriers to overcome to see UK organic market share scale as it has done in so many European countries where government and retailer support have been a catalyst for rapid organic growth.
“That’s why we have joined forces with leading nature and environmental NGOs to make the case for a 10% government target for land to be farmed organically – which will support a rapid transition with new financial opportunities for farmers and realise the significant health, nature and environmental benefits for the UK.”
