13/09/2007

The amount of land under conversion to organic production in Scotland increased by 110 per cent in 2006 – faster than any other UK country – as organic food and drink sales across the UK nudged the £2 billion mark for the first time.

In the same period, there was also an 8 per cent increase in the number of organic producers in Scotland – up from 636 in 2006 to 686 in 2007 – and a 63 per cent rise in the number of organic conversion enquiries received by Scottish Agricultural College (SAC).

Launched to coincide with the start of Soil Association Organic Fortnight 2007, the Soil Association’s definitive annual Organic Market Report shows continued strong growth and dynamic public support for organic products, with a sustained market growth rate of 22 per cent throughout the year.

Across the whole of the UK, retail sales of organic products through organic box and mail order schemes and other direct routes increased from £95 million in 2005 to £146 million in 2006 – a staggering 53 per cent growth, more than double that experienced by the major supermarkets.