Organic Market Doubles To £3.9bn But Static Production Leaves Door Open For Imports

British organic products are in high demand but domestic production cannot keep pace, leaving the market heavily reliant on imports, according to a new report from Soil Association Certification.

Marking a 14th year of consecutive growth, organic sales rose by 4.2% to a record £3.9bn in 2025, fuelled by bananas, carrots, and salads. 

The latest Organic Market Report from Soil Association Certification shows strong consumer support for British organic farmers and nature-friendly food. 

Awareness is rising around pesticides, ultra-processed foods, and nutrient density, driving shoppers to seek more organic whole foods.

Some 83% of households now buy organic, with purchase frequency among the average shopper rising to once every three weeks. 

Growth is strongest in products largely produced in the UK, notably organic milk, eggs and carrots, with organic dairy and produce remaining the largest market sectors.

Supermarkets led the rise in organic sales last year, garnering a 7% growth. Organic unit sales continue to outpace non-organic in major retail by four times.

Opportunities Ahead

Soil Association advisor and organic farmer Adrian Steele said UK shoppers are seeking the environmental and welfare benefits of organic while also backing British farmers. 

“Supermarkets have been taking note and have reacted with rebrands and expansions to their organic ranges, along with more price promotions and loyalty discounts,” highlighted Steele. 

“This presents a key opportunity for our farmers to tap into demand from both consumers and retailers."

Production Remains Stagnant 

A majority of 85% of organic farmers surveyed for the report said they have stable or growing sales, with fewer than 10% seeing a decline, suggesting robust on-farm demand. 

However, the report warns that much of this demand is still being met by imports because UK organic production has stalled. 

Government figures for 2024 show that only 3% of UK farmland is organic, and while land in-conversion increased in England last year, this slowed sharply when the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) was abruptly closed. 

But the revised SFI, announced by Defra last week, will again include support for conversion to and management of organic land, with application windows due to reopen in June and September.

Nonetheless, England still has no target to expand organic production, creating an opportunity for action. 

England now lags behind the rest of the UK in government support for organic, following the launch of a funded Scottish Organic Action Plan earlier this year.

The EU, meanwhile, has set a goal to reach at least 25% organic farmland by 2030. 

“We have fought hard to ensure that organic was included in the renewed SFI and it is heartening to see organic recognised for its high environmental standards,” Steele noted. 

“But there is still a need for a longer-term vision to enable farmers to commit to more nature-friendly farming methods with the security of knowing support and fairer access to markets will be there.” 

Source: Farming Online