The UK organic market is on track to beat pre-recession growth figures in 2016, buoyed by innovation from small manufacturers and a change in the way consumers shop, says a report by the Soil Association.
Consumers are in conflict – they want food that is indulgent, healthy and convenient. But this conflict also opens up big opportunities to companies who know where to look for the next trend, says one consumer analyst.
Demand for organic cocoa is on the rise but market analysts are predicting supply shortages unless more cocoa producers switch to organic farming – but where’s the incentive to do so when this means reduced yields, higher costs and huge debt?
Organic meat and dairy products have more healthy omega-3 fatty acids according to a large meta-analysis review - but experts have warned the amounts are too small to actually have an impact on diet.
The European Commission (EU) and the Government of Colombia have started talks aimed at securing a bilateral agreement on trade in organic products, it has been announced.
Sales of organic food and drink are set to double by 2018 but this is not enough to feed the world – a truly sustainable farming system is needed for future food and ecosystem security, say researchers.
Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Russia to become the worlds biggest supplier of eco-friendly food - but the country still has a long way in terms of organic certification and production, say experts.
Swedish researchers have suggested that food labelled both GM and eco-friendly may become commonplace in the future - but is this an idea consumers will buy into?
British organic certification body, the Soil Association, has launched stricter standards for aquaculture which will also allow producers of organic seaweed to bear its logo.
Norwegian food manufacturers are scrambling to change their branding and packaging as research shows the country's consumers rate country of origin lower than quality.
UK consumers are paying an 89% premium for organic products at the major supermarkets, according to a survey, while more than half of organic shoppers think they pay too much.
Sales and demand of organic food have been rising again after an uncertain 2014-15, buoyed on by stronger claims of benefits to health, a more natural way of production and an overall improvement in taste.
Shoppers and supermarkets are falling back in love with organic, but this is as much down to innovation and marketing as it is a lifting of the economic storm clouds, say analysts.
Organic farming body IFOAM EU has called for new plant breeding techniques that are still in the experimental stage to be classed as GM under EU law - but this is a “Pavlov’s dog” response, says the European Seed Association.
Flavour giant Firmenich and water management firm Veolia join Mars and Danone in an investment fund that boosts the security and sustainability of their supply chains while improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
'Green food': Euromonitor's top consumer food trend for 2016
One of 2016’s biggest food industry trends will be the switch to sustainable, says Euromonitor, affecting everything from invisible ingredients to finished products, business acquisitions to public policy – but in consumers' eyes can 'Big Food'...
Manufacturers of processed foods containing fruit and milk are eligible for EU funding under a healthy eating programme for schools, approved by the agriculture committee yesterday, but maximum levels for salt, sugar and fat levels may be lowered by the...
A 1000-strong survey into dietary habits and attitudes shows Germans are generally happy with their food but want more neutral nutrition information and ethically-produced meat - and they are willing to pay more for it.
Putting the spotlight on innovative start-ups, sugar reduction, sustainable sourcing and the latest trends in colour, texture and flavour, FoodNavigator's special editions calendar and online events for 2016 spans the hottest topics for the European...
A British organic dairy cooperative has broken into the one of the world’s most lucrative markets after being awarded the UK’s first licence through the Soil Association to export organic products to China.
French retailer Carrefour has launched what it claims is France's first private label range of vegetarian products - which could spur other brands to occupy this relatively undeveloped space, says a market analyst.
Over 30 trade-association led campaigns promoting everything from olive oil to fresh meat have been named the recipients of the latest round of EU funding for agri-food products.
By Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International
Is organic still selling? Does the 'natural' trend mean fortified/functional food is now passé? And why are consumers turning their noses up at better for you (BFY) offerings? Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International,...
Whilst seafood sales are going swimmingly, the chilled processed meat category is under pressure globally, although volume declines could be tempered by value gains, says Euromonitor International.
Acacia gum seems to have it all – manufacturers say it’s clean-label, organic, sustainably sourced and provides income in developing countries. So why is industry not doing more to promote this?
Dutch food group Wessanen has reported strong Q3 results which it puts down to a consumer shift away from ‘Big Food’ towards healthy and sustainable food.
EU organic legislation was supposed to dynamise the sector – but with the agricultural committee’s proposal yesterday deemed another status quo by organic groups, is future investment in the organic sector being compromised by the uncertainty?
Both France and Italy have strong culinary traditions and consumers want quality food but have less and less time to cook – could this be why organic packaged food shows such promise?
Whether food is locally sourced is more important to consumers than whether it organic or not, according to new research conducted on organic and non-organic consumers in Germany.
The Soil Association is updating its organic standards to make them more practical and transparent and is calling on the public to give its opinion in an open consultation.
Food labelling and ethical certification aren’t as effective as we think - for a sustainable food chain, small and medium businesses need to team up with social scientists to create ‘attentive consumption’ and transform the supply chain, say participants...
Sixteen countries have requested to opt out of GM cultivation in Europe – but while the Commission says the opt-out clause is necessary for such a complex issue, campaigners are calling it ‘Kafkaesque’ and one scientist warns Europe is walking 'an...
Sustainability isn't one size fits all. Some consumers buy sustainable products while others curb consumption of less sustainable foods, say researchers.
The key to successful placement of mildly sustainable products is to use cues that communicate product positioning consistently, both in price level and in-store location, say researchers.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has lost its right to keep the names of contributing expert commentators a secret – a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that could be applied retrospectively.
Half believe organic food contains more minerals and vitamins than conventional products despite lack of data
Non-GMO labels are on the rise in European countries – but unlike the US, EU legislation requires all food containing above trace levels of GM to be labelled. So is there even a need for GMO-free?
British meat has been found to contain MRSA and consumers are concerned. So would an antibiotic-free label reassure the public, or are there already enough ethical food labels?
How clued up are you on all the issues surrounding sustainable sourcing - and how closely have you been reading FoodNavigator? Take our quiz and find out!
A majority of UK shoppers aged 16-34 think that organic products are important (54%), compared to under a third (30%) of over-55s, according to a market research report.
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