The performance of organic food and drink in Ireland has been considerably better than that of conventional grocery in Ireland in recent years. Organic retail sales year on year to late June 2016 showed growth of €22m, or 20%, bringing the total value of the sector to €136m according to Kantar WorldPanel data. Conventional grocery demonstrated just 3% growth for the same period.
The strong performance of organic is thanks to more consumers buying in to the sector more frequently and spending more on each occasion. Consumers are increasingly trying to lead healthier lives and retailers are responding to their demands by enhancing their focus on healthier food choices such as organic foods.
The organic sector returned to growth in 2014 but the past year’s growth has been more pronounced, with strong growth for vegetables, eggs, yoghurt, meat, oils & condiments in particular, and ongoing growth anticipated.
With a more buoyant sector now than in recent years, the timing is opportune for Bord Bia to call for entries to this year’s National Organic Awards. Held every two years, the awards celebrate Organic food production in Ireland and celebrate the growing number of organic producers in operation. Entries are being accepted until 9th September directly on the website: bordbia.ie/organicawards2016
This year there are 7 categories in the 2016 awards:
1. Best Fresh Product
3. Best New Product2. Best Prepared Product
4. Export Award
5. Innovation Award
6. Direct Selling Award
7. Chefs’ Choice Award – (New category)
More information, including detail on the criteria for each category, is outlined in the application form which can be downloaded directly below.
In addition, Bord Bia is pleased to offer free mentoring to both established and new-entrant organic companies looking to grow sales through retail channels in Ireland and/or the UK. If you wish to avail of this free mentoring opportunity from September 2016 then please send an expression of interest directly to stephanie.moe@bordbia.ie with the subject line ‘organic mentoring request’. There is limited availability for this mentoring so please get in touch ASAP to avail of this opportunity.
For more information on any of the above please contact stephanie.moe@bordbia.ie
