§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of(a) fruits and (b) vegetables sold in the UK were organic, in the last year for which figures are available. [91000]
§ Mr. MeacherFigures published by the Soil Association1 estimate that the organic market accounted for 1 per cent. of the total food and drink market in the UK in 2001–02. Defra estimates that the organic market for fruit and vegetables accounted for approximately 2 per cent. of the total market for fruit and vegetables in the UK, in the same period. Detailed information on retail sales figures for organically produced fruit and vegetables is not currently available, however, to enable such a comparison to be made.
The collection, collation and publication of information on the production, manufacture and wholesale and retail marketing of organic foods on a sector by sector basis is one of the many initiatives being further developed under the Organic Action Plan, published on 29 July 2002.
1Soil Association organic food and farming report 2002