Australian organic sector valued at $1.27 billion

The Australian organic sector is now worth $1.27 billion and is forecast to grow by up to 15 per cent per annum, making it one of the country's top five growth industries, according to a new report.
 
The biennial Australian Organic Market Report, commissioned by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), found that farm gate sales of organic products have risen by 34 per cent since 2010.

Fresh fruit and vegetables remain the most commonly purchased organic products, with 60 per cent of consumers claiming to have bought them in the past year. Other regularly purchased items include cooking ingredients, canned goods, bread, red meat and dairy products.
The organic meat sector has experienced dramatic growth. Sales of organic beef are up by 111 per cent to $72.7 million since 2010; organic lamb sales are up by 64 per cent to $18.6 million; and organic poultry sales have increased by 15 per cent to $17.8 million.

Dr Andrew Monk, BFA director and co-author of the report, said 65 per cent of Australians had bought organic in the past year and more than a million Australians do so on a regular basis.

“Trust in organic certification and consumer awareness of standards and certification have increased considerably,” said Monk. “Notably, there has been a significant increase in recognition of Australia’s main certification logo Australian Certified Organic, up a further 25 per cent in recognition from the 2010 report.”

He added that, while 'price', 'availability' and 'trust in the product being organic' had been noted as the top three barriers to buying organics in 2010, the new report found that these are now lesser barriers for consumers.
 
The biennial independent Australian Organic Market Report, commissioned by leading organic body Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), incorporates research from Swinburne University, ABS statistics and world outlook information for the first time, as well as exclusive survey work by a specialist market research group.