The power of the global organic movement
About ten years ago, very few of us would have known about the term ‘organic’. We may have seen the label once or twice in the supermarket, but we probably wouldn’t have known what it meant or how it differed from ‘natural’ food.
Today, however, it’s an entirely different story.
Across the board, consumers are infinitely more conscious about ethical purchasing decisions, and they strive to do their bit towards a renewed global effort towards global sustainability.
Social media and increased awareness have shown people that their individual contributions really do make a difference. And the rise of the organic movement is a fantastic example of this.
We’ll explore just how much the demand for organic produce has grown, why it is growing at such a fast pace and the value that earning the organic label has gained, specifically in terms of brand perception.
Without a doubt, the global organic movement is a powerful one, and there’s no time like the present to be a part of it.
The rising demand for organic produce
The Soil Association’s 2019 Organic Market report provided a remarkable insight into just how much organic produce has risen in popularity in recent years.
The report demonstrated how the widespread popularity of sustainability and health has propelled the organic movement. It found that UK consumers are spending around £45 million each week solely on organic products, and that the organic market has been steadily growing for eight solid years. In 2018 alone, it grew by an impressive 5.3%.
Similarly, in 2020, products that prioritised animal welfare grew as a market by 17%. Likewise, demand for free-range and grass-fed products also increased by over 13% in one year.
A lot of this is down to the younger generations, a large proportion of whom are committing to veggie and vegan diets. In the report, it was revealed that since 2016, there had been a 52% rise in young people who class themselves as vegetarians and a 104% rise in young vegans.
This commitment to organic, veggie and vegan movements in the younger generations gives weight to the predictions that the organic movement is here to stay.
Consumer perceptions of the organic label
The report by the Soil Association linked this rise to the fact that the term organic has become synonymous with eco-conscious and socially conscious shopping and healthy eating and well-being.
You don’t need to be an influencer to know that these qualities have been far more popular in recent years. And, as Gen Z continues to push for greater sustainability and eco-consciousness, their parents are quickly catching up with them, too.
And, at the forefront of it all, sits the organic movement.
The organic label has become a hallmark of these impactful and increasingly sought-after consumer requirements.
During a presentation at the Natural Products Expo West Virtual Week (as quoted by Food Business News), the executive vice president of SPINS, Kathryn Peters, spoke about how these perceptions promote the organic market’s growth.
“It isn’t just natural products generally that are booming. Particularly, we’re seeing products with characteristics that support sustainable sourcing and animal welfare continuing to accelerate.
“Consumers are expecting more from the products they buy.”
The value of the organic label
The benefits of buying organic produce are remarkably far-reaching, spanning animal rights, sustainable production, the reduction of single-use plastics, conservation, and the supply of more nutritious, chemical-free natural produce.
The movement stands for a new game-changing level of food quality standards. It represents a peak of consumer awareness, which has risen from an unparalleled need to reduce our impact on the planet.
So, from the perspective of a company, there’s enormous value in possessing the organic label.
It shows your customers that you are in tune with their requests, that you prioritise ethical practices and principles, and that you are a modern, forward-thinking organisation.
Whether it’s advertising the use of organic ingredients on your menus or offering organic fruit at your workplace snack bar, whatever industry your organisation is in, it has an awful lot to gain by going organic.
Our hopes for the future
At Coliman Allfresch, we strive to nourish the world in everything that we do.
We know how invaluable it is to protect the planet and be mindful of the production practices that we adopt. After all, it’s the only way to ensure that we can continue as we are into the future.
To date, Coliman Grupo has been recognised by Mexican Center for Philanthropy for our socio-environmental efforts. The company has also been the recipient of the Mexico Agri-food National Award in 2014 by the President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto.
We are immensely proud to offer organic products within our range. If you would like to learn more about our fresh, organic produce, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
