May / June

2009 May / June

This issue of Organic Matters focuses on some of the many organic processors who have turned an idea into a successful business venture.

Despite slowing growth in the food sector, organic products continue to buck the recessionary trend and most European countries report steady growth in the organic sector. The evidence is that committed organic shoppers will continue to buy organic despite economic trends.

The gloomy outlook for conventional agriculture is forcing the more entrepreneurial farmers to look at other options and organic seems an attractive choice at this time. Small food businesses looking for that extra edge in the market see the organic label as a valuable asset and IOFGA is reporting a surge in requests for processing licence information. There is also a growing awareness of the hidden dangers of some cosmetic and household products and many companies are now developing organically certified product lines to reassure consumers.

All very good news for the sector in general but we are a small country where the market can easily become saturated and the conventional cut throat methods of selling can take hold without difficulty.

The thinking organic producer/processor will wonder what the point is in producing something in an ethical way if it is marketed in an unprincipled fashion. This need not necessarily be the case. In this issue we also look at the cooperative model as a means to produce and market goods. The recent establishment of growers and dairy groups is a step in this direction. When more produce comes on stream producers will inevitably have to look at ways of marketing that will be fair and principled and still allow them to make a good living. Time to start thinking outside the box.