Mintel last reported on organic foods in November 2001, when the market was experiencing a rapid growth phase. Since that time, the growth rate has slowed considerably. Mintel’s exclusive consumer research conducted for this report suggests that fewer consumers are purchasing organic products in 2003 than was the case in 2001, which goes a long way towards explaining the slower rate of market growth. In addition, this indicates that core organic consumers, committed to purchasing organic products, are driving growth by purchasing a wider range and a greater weight of products, aided by a shrinking number of consumers that occasionally purchase organic food.

While various companies continue to enter the market others have chosen to pull back, or even to pull out altogether, reassessing their position in the market. Nevertheless, market growth continues and organic food remains a growing market, showing a faster growth rate than the non-organic food market.

This report provides a unique analysis of the market's size, trends, structure and consumers, offering you a fresh and extensive insight into:

The implications for the market of a growing interest in food ingredients and the environment

The pricing of organic products in terms of persuading occasional purchasers of organic food to make purchases more often

Factors influencing continued, but slow, growth in the retail market

A fragmented supply structure and the potential rewards of innovation and swift responses to changing situations.

Significant increases in advertising and promotion spend in this market and the media trends pursued by manufacturers and retailers

Rising retail shares of the grocery multiples

The popularity of organic fruit and meat products among UK consumers

Purchasing habits of key target markets, such as the ABs and 45-54-year-olds

This report covers the UK retail market for organic food and non-alcoholic drink, produced according to organic principles and standards. This includes fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy products, fish and seafood, eggs, prepared foods and groceries, cereal products, baby and toddler foods, infant formula, soft drinks, and beverages such as tea and coffee. It includes organic foods that are fresh, frozen or ambient. Organic alcoholic drinks and sales of organic food through foodservice and catering outlets are excluded. This report provides new analysis of:

Market drivers/Market size and trends/Market segmentation/The supply structure/Advertising and promotion/Distribution/The consumer - trends and attitudes/Future trends/Forecast sales

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- On-trade Soft Drinks - UK, Market Intelligence, September 2003

- Lager - UK, Market Intelligence, June 2003

- Dark Spirits - UK, Market Intelligence, April 2003

- White Spirits - UK, Market Intelligence, March 2003

- Carbonates - UK, Market Intelligence, February 2003

- Low-alcohol and Alcohol-free Drinks - UK, Market Intelligence, January 2003

- Wine - UK, Market Intelligence, January 2003.

Please note that ‘Organic Foods UK’ is published as part of ‘Organic Foods in Europe'. Should you wish to order more than one market report within this title, please feel free to contact us to discuss potential multiple-purchase discounts.

This report is also part of Mintel Market Intelligence