According to the association Initiative Bio Bretagne, the organic sector in general is facing a decline in consumption in supermarkets. For the president, Denis Paturel, the fear is that organic producers will return to conventional farming.
“Organic farming is popular among consumers. We have had a rather exceptional double-digit growth in recent years and the lockdown boosted organic sales in a somewhat artificial way,” explains Denis Paturel. “But now, the demand level is decreasing and this worries us. There is a lack of consumer interest in organic products.”
And prices may have something to do with this decline in consumption. “It is very possible. Consumers require a lot from farmers and once they deliver, they also want good prices. If prices put a brake on consumption, we must find solutions. One of the levers could be a reduction of the VAT, but in the end, the consumers decide, they must follow.”
As for organic fruit and vegetables, professionals are faced with the price competition of the organic products from Spain. According to the cooperative Initiative Bio Bretagne (during the second trimester of 2021), the purchases of a panel of 15 organic fresh fruit and vegetables dropped by 14.6% in volume.
Source: ouest-france.fr
Photo: Eric Gaillard