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Organic food market in the UK - statistics & facts

Organic food has been increasing production and sales and is gaining popularity particularly in the United States and in Europe. The per capita spending on organic food in the European Union was over 100 euros per person in 2020. Germany and France are also leaders in the European organic market. The organic market value in France grew by 12 percent in 2020 and Germany’s by almost 25 percent. The two countries also have the highest retail sales value of organic agriculture products in Europe.

UK organic market

The organic market in the United Kingdom has also seen growth in recent years. In five years, the sales value grew by over 30 percent, reaching above three billion British pounds in 2021. Across all retail types, sales of organic products increased in value; supermarkets are the largest retail channel with sales totaling approximately 1.97 billion British pounds in 2021. Dairy had the largest share of organic food retail sales, while produce ranked second that year.

Organic agriculture

As of 2020, there were more than 450 thousand hectares of organic farming area in the UK. The majority of the land is in England, with just over 300 thousand hectares of organic and in-conversion farmland in the country. There is more organic poultry in the UK than any other type of organic livestock. Organic poultry surpassed 3.5 million heads in 2020.

Consumer trends

In 2020, it was reported that the average spend on organic food and drinks amounted to approximately 2.6 billion British pounds. Though organic foods are becoming more commonplace in the UK market, not all consumers are convinced by organic products yet. Adults 65 years and older are less likely to try organic products than younger groups. Income and education also affect perception of organic food. Adults with a university degree or higher in the UK are more likely to try organic and the lower the income, the more ambivalent an individual is likely to be regarding organic products.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Emma Bedford, Jan 30, 2023

Key insights

Growth rate of UK organic market
5.2%
European country with the highest per capita spending on organic food
Switzerland
Retail sales value of organic agriculture products in UK
2.4m EUR
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Sales revenue of organic food and drink in the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2020 (in million GBP)

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Organic food and drink sales revenue in the United Kingdom 1999-2020

Per capita spending on organic food in selected countries in Europe in 2021 (in euros)

Organic & Health Food

Organic food: per capita spending in selected countries in Europe 2021

Retail share of the organic market in the United Kingdom in 2021

Organic & Health Food

Organic retail market share in the United Kingdom (UK) 2021

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