According to Bord Bia research Irish consumers are spending €66m on certified organic food annually, with this figure set to increase over the next five years.
According to the Bord Bia study over 60% of the €68m worth of organic produce is purchased in big supermarkets, 22% in smaller retail outlets and the rest through 'direct organic sellers' such as farmers markets, farm shops, health food stores, box schemes and butchers. However, only 40% of people said it is easy to find locally produced organic food.
Following this study, Bord Bia have developed a national organic marketing plan in consultation with the Organic Market Development Group.
National Organic Week, which takes place from the 6th to the 12th of November, is the first initiative of this three year strategy which aims to increase sales of organic food in Ireland and also to establish the market potential for Irish organic food in other EU markets.
Brendan Smith, Minister at the Department of Agriculture and Food, said he has approved €1.5m funding for the development of the organic market over the next three years.
