Sales of organic food in the UK have increased by 22 per cent, or £7 million, each week, with shoppers spending £2 billion on organic food in 2006. There is now a total of £37 million spent each week on organic produce. Also, for the first time, sales of free-range and organic eggs total more than the sales of eggs from caged birds.
Box schemes have also seen a 53 per cent increase in sales, from £95 million in 2005 to £146 million in 2006.
The figures have been released by the Soil Association to coincide with the start of the Soil Association Organic Fortnight 2007.
They also reveal that 2006 saw a 30 per cent increase in the number of health and beauty products licensed with the Soil Association; and at the current rate of growth, the UK market for organic cotton products should be worth £107 million by 2008.
Helen Browning, Director of Food and Farming for the Soil Association, said: ?These figures are extremely encouraging, the year on year growth in sales not just in food and drink, but also the newer booming clothing and health and beauty sectors confirm organic has moved well beyond a mere fad or niche.?
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