Organic food sales in Denmark doubled in the four years between 2015-18, according to new data released by Statistics Denmark
Organic retail sales – in-store and online – in Denmark increased by 14% in 2018, to reach a record DKK 12.9 billion (EUR 1.72 billion).
This continuing strong sales growth (2018 was the fourth consecutive year of double digit growth), further cements Denmark’s international leadership in organic – its citizens buy more organic than any other country in the world. Organic now accounts for around 14% of total for and drink sales in the country.
In 2018, the Danes bought more than twice as many organic foods as four years earlier. Fruit and vegetables are the product group that contributes most to overall growth.
Per Kølster, chairman of the Organic Land Association, said: “For the fourth year in a row, we see double-digit growth rates for organic farming, and it is gratifying that the Danes’ focus on clean and healthy foods just goes on. It is particularly pleasing to see how agriculture is increasingly turning to organic farming in order to meet consumer demand. It is good for nature, environment and animal welfare.
Organic world champions
When retail, online, foodservice and alternative sales channels are combined, the turnover of organic food amounts to DKK 16.1 billion. This means that Danes spend on average DKK 2,785 (EUR 373) per year on organic food.
Henrik Hindborg, market manager for retail in the Organic Land Association, commented: “The Danes have for more than 10 years been the people who buy the most organic. The figures for 2018 very effectively confirm that. But what we also see is that the most eco-conscious consumers at the same time have adopted a more climate-friendly diet, with higher consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Supply challenges…and opportunities
Organic fruit and vegetables were the star performers in 2018, accounting for an impressive 38% of the growth achieved during the year.
In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest among farmers to convert to ecology, and the organic agricultural area has never been larger. Nonetheless, more farmers will need to convert to organic to meet growing demand – and deliver locally grown, more climate friendly organic produce.
“There is a solid increasing demand for products without residues of pesticides, not least among the Danish families with children,” says Henrik Hindborg.
• The Nordic Organic Food Fair takes place on 13-14 November 2019 in Malmö, Sweden.