The Soil Association has its sights set on the fast-growing Scandinavian market for organic products.
Soil Association Certification is hosting a pavilion for licensees at the biggest annual organic trade show in the country – the Nordic Organic Food Fair (1-2 November, Malmo, Sweden) – to help its licensees target the rapidly expanding market in Scandinavia.
Johan Cejie, sales manager at the Swedish certification body KRAV said: “The organic market in Sweden continues to surprise us with sustained and exceptional growth. The growth in 2014 was 38%, and mid-year reports suggest growth will be as big, if not bigger in 2015 as well. 3 out of 4 food processors report that they run out of organic supply seasonally or continually. This means that interest in the Nordic Organic Food Fair will be massive this year.”
“The organic market in Sweden continues to surprise us with sustained and exceptional growth. The growth in 2014 was 38%, and mid-year reports suggest growth will be as big, if not bigger in 2015”
Lee Holdstock from Soil Association Certification said: “We know many of our licensees are looking to expand their export sales. Markets in Scandinavia are growing, spurred on in part by a massive boom in demand for organic fruit and veg, and many other products are now following. It is a prime time to increase trade to countries like this.”
Holdstock, along with other certification experts from the business development team will be supporting licensees in exploring the export market to Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. The trade show expects 4000 visitors over the two days, including many of Sweden’s biggest retailers like Coop and Axfood, who agree that whilst organic products may once have gathered dust at the back of shelves, they have seen a renaissance in the last two years and are now looking to expand. Many have reported short supply of in demand organic products [2] and are now seeking out new suppliers.
Cejie continued: “Organic ranges in the shops are developing rapidly, so any ready-made products that can be launched reasonably quickly are interesting. Beers, wines and spirits are also of great interest”.
Tim Harrap from Lye Cross Farm said: “We are the UK’s largest organic hard cheese maker supplying customers across the UK, Europe and Middle East. Market research suggests we take a closer look at the opportunities in Scandinavia where quality, provenance and organic credentials are highly respected. At the show we will be looking to open discussions with retail buyers, food service businesses and food manufacturers who are seeking high quality farm made organic cheese.”
The show promises a variety of visitors from foodservice professionals looking to connect with wholesalers and suppliers to independent retailers, big chains and many manufacturers. All are interested in the rapidly expanding organic market and are looking for inspiration and new product development opportunities.
Anne Seeberg, event manager at the Nordic Organic Food Fair said: “Visitors to the show will get a unique insight into new product innovations, trends and creative business models. No one does it better than the Nordic countries when it comes to organic food. This is truly a trendsetting region that everyone can learn from. The market was worth over €3.1 billion in 2014, and growth rates are through the roof this year.”
• Lee Holdstock is among the speakers at this year’s Nordic Organic Food Fair, along with IFOAM EU’s director Marco Schlüter, the COO of the Danish retailer, Netto and Green & Black’s founder Craig Sams. For more information: http://www.nordicorganicexpo.com/the-food-drink-education-programme/
