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CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified, Not Official USDA Data
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AGR Number: UK6138
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From: U.S. Embassy, London
To: USDA/FAS Washington D.C.
Country: UK
Year: 1996
Report Code: 24 Post Report Sequence Number: 026
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Report Title: Agricultural Situation
Report Type: SR - Special Request Report
Report Subject: Organic Food Market
Approved By: Richard L. Barnes
Drafted By: Richard Ali
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Security Classification: Unclassified, Not Official USDA Data
Date Due (MM/DD/YY): 10/21/96
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Table of Contents
PAGE
The UK Organic Foods Market........................................ 1
Overview......................................................... 1
Certification Bodies............................................. 2
Importers/Distributors........................................... 3
Report Code: UK9624SR AGR Number: UK6138 Page: 1
Agricultural Situation
The UK Organic Foods Market
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Overview
There are currently around 860 registered organic producers
in the UK. Nearly 50,000 hectares (less than 0.2 percent of
the UK agricultural land area) is classified as organic.
However, this total includes around 23,000 ha which is under
conversion to full organic status.
Industry estimates suggest the UK market for organic foods
is worth around BPS 150 (USD 234) million in 1995. While
fruits and vegetables are the most common organic produce
sold at retail level, other organic foodstuffs available
include cheeses, coffee, chocolate, herbs, flour, pastas,
teas and baby food. Trade sources indicate that the demand
for organic meat is increasing due to consumer concerns
surrounding BSE, and animal welfare issues. Estimates
suggest that around two-thirds of the UK organic foods
market is comprised of imports, although many of these being
ingredients in processed foods such as baby food. We are
unaware of any organic foods being promoted by country of
origin.
Trade sources believe that increased EU production of
organic produce will not only satisfy current latent
consumer demand for organic foodstuffs, but will stimulate
demand further. Estimates of future growth vary widely, but
median estimates suggest that the UK organic food market is
likely to double within the next 2 to 3 years.
In 1993, a European Community regulation (2092/91) became
effective describing the inputs and practices which may be
used in organic farming and growing, and the inspection
system which must be in place to ensure this. The
Regulation also applies to processing, processing aids and
ingredients in organic foods. All organic foods must come
from growers, processors or importers who are registered and
subject to regular inspection. The regulation stipulates
that organic food imported from outside the EU is grown and
certified to an equivalent standard. The standards and
inspection system of the exporting country must be notified
to and assessed by the EU before it can be sold as organic.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the Regulation is administered
by the United Kingdom Register Of Organic Food Standards
(UKROFS). UKROFS consists of an independent Board appointed
by Agriculture Ministers. It regulates the various bodies
in the UK which register organic farmers and processors.
Report Code: UK9624SR AGR Number: UK6138 Page: 2
Agricultural Situation
The UK Organic Foods Market
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Certification Bodies
The following are approved organic certification bodies in
the UK:
Biodynamic Agricultural Association
Woodman Lane
Clent
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 9PX
Tel: 44-156 288 4933
Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association
56 Blessington Street
Dublin 7
Tel: 353-1 830 7966
Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd
Church House
50 High Street
Soham
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 5HF
Tel: 44-1353 720250
Organic Food Federation
The Tithe House
Peaseland Green
Elsing
East Dereham
Norfolk
NR20 3DY
Tel: 44-1362 637314
Scottish Organic Producers Association
Milton of Cambus Farm
Doune
Perthshire
FK16 6HG
Tel: 44-1786 841657
Report Code: UK9624SR AGR Number: UK6138 Page: 3
Agricultural Situation
The UK Organic Foods Market
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Soil Association Organic Marketing Company
86 Colston Street
Bristol
BS1 5SB
Tel: 44-117 929 0661
Further Information on the registration and certification of
organic foods can be obtained from:
United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards
Room 320C
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Tel: 44-171 238 5781
Importers/Distributors
Barrett Ingredient Supplies
19 Barrett Road
Fetcham
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 9HL
Tel: 44-1372 457784 Fax: 44-1372 457784
Products: Organic soybean products
Bart Spices Ltd
York Road
Bedminster
Bristol
BS3 4AD
Tel: 44-1272 773474 Fax: 44-1272 720216
Report Code: UK9624SR AGR Number: UK6138 Page: 4
Agricultural Situation
The UK Organic Foods Market
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Briess & Co. Ltd
A116/119 Fruit & Vegetable Market
New Covent Garden
London
SW8 5EE
Tel: 44-171 498 3944 Fax: 44-171 498 8003
Products: Fruit and vegetables
Community Foods Ltd
Micross
Brent Terrace
London
NW2 1LT
Tel: 44-181 450 9411 Fax: 44-181 208 1803
Products: Various
Everfresh Natural Foods
Gatehouse Close
Aylesbury
HP19 3DE
Tel: 44-1296 25333 Fax: 44-1296 22545
Products: Organic product manufacturer
Florida Fruit & Juices Ltd
71 High Street
Great Wakering
Essex
S53 0ED
Tel: 44-1702 216841 Fax: 44-1702 216850
Products: Fresh fruit and juices.
Green City Wholefoods
23 Fleming Street
Glasgow
G31 1PQ
Tel: 44-141 554 7633 Fax: 44-141 556 5589
Products: Various
Report Code: UK9624SR AGR Number: UK6138 Page: 5
Agricultural Situation
The UK Organic Foods Market
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Hider Food Imports Ltd
Wiltshire Road
Kingston-upon-Hull
North Humberside
HU4 6PA
Tel: 44-1482 561137 Fax: 44-1482 565668
Products: Various.
Organic Farm Foods (Wales) Ltd
Unit 25
Lampeter Industrial Estate
Tregaron Road
Lampeter
SA48 8LT
Tel: 44-1570 423099 Fax: 44-1570 423280
Products: Fruit and vegetables
Organic's
290a Fulham Palace Road
London
SW6 6HP
Tel: 44-171 381 9924 Fax: 44-171 386 0647
Products: Various
Soya Health Foods Ltd
Unit 4
Guiness Road
Trafford Park
Manchester
M17 1SD
Tel: 44-161 872 0549 Fax: 44-161 872 6776
Products: Organic soybean products
N. R. Stoate & Sons
Cann Mills
Shaftesbury
Dorset
SP7 0BL
Tel: 44-1747 852475
Products: Organic grains
Report Code: UK9624SR AGR Number: UK6138 Page: 6
Agricultural Situation
The UK Organic Foods Market
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Vintage Roots
Sheeplands Farm
Wargrave road
Wargrave
Berks
RG10 8DT
Tel: 44-1734 401222 Fax:44-1734 404841
Products: Organic wines & beers
Whole Earth Foods
269 Portobello Road
London
W11 1LR
Tel: 44-171 229 7545 Fax: 44-171 221 6416
Products: Various
Waissel's Ltd
58 Gayton Road
Harrow
Middx
HA1 2LS
Tel: 44-181 861 1228 Fax: 44-181 427 6450
Products: Various, including organic Tex-Mex foods
Disclaimer: While it is impractical to provide complete
lists of importers, distributors, etc., this listing is
furnished for your information with the understanding that
no discrimination is intended or guarantee of reliability
implied.
END OF REPORT
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