SALES of organic produce have shot up by almost 12 per cent in Scotland as demand outstrips the UK average.
Supermarket sales of organic foods went up six per cent for the UK as a whole last year as the market grew by half the Scottish rate.
The figures come from analysts Kantar Worldpanel and show the sector, now in its fifth consecutive year of growth, is worth more than £2 billion.
Meanwhile, sales to the food service industry are up 19 per cent and the organic beauty and wellbeing market went up 13 per cent to £61m.
Scots-based organic traders predict their sales to remain steady in the coming year, according to research from the Soil Association.
Alison Muirhead of Soil Association Scotland said: “The Scottish organic sector has proved yet again that through its focus on quality and innovation it is able to sustain and improve the organic market.
“Despite uncertainty around Brexit, it brings lots of opportunities, particularly around export for Scottish organic and more product innovation.
“Where they can, people are still buying organic regularly. With the market in steady growth, and the funding window for organic farmers currently open through the Scottish Government, the future looks positive for Scottish organic producers.”
The global organic food market is valued at $81 billion and the UK represents around four per cent of total sales.
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