As UK shoppers tighten their belts, organic farmers feel the squeeze

At least two organic farmers a week are leaving the movement as consumer demand for premium food stagnates and costs rise.

As evidence emerges that the organic revolution has stalled in the face of rising food prices and job uncertainty, the industry’s two biggest certification bodies have told the Guardian that a total of at least eight members each month are quitting their schemes.

In addition,
the
National
Farmers’
Union
said, “a small number at breaking point” wanted to leave but could not, because they had converted less than five years ago and would have to pay back all the subsidies they had received.

Because

newcomers

take

at

least

two

years

to

convert

to

organic

standards,

one

expert

warned

that

shoppers

could

face

shortages

in

supplies

by

next

year

and

rising

imports.

“One of the things we’ll be seeing potentially in as little as 12 months’ time is a shortage of supply because with a dip in sales it will be difficult for some producers, and some producers may drop out of the market,” said Martin Cottingham, author of the Soil Association’s latest annual market report. “If you’re concerned about the environment, a good thing to do is seek out local producers and buy direct.”

Guardian