Organic fruits and vegetables demand increases 20% in Germany

German Households spent 479 million euros in the purchase of biological fresh fruits and vegetables in 2006, an 20% increase over the previous year, reaching 44% of total expenditure on organic fresh produce, including Moreover, potatoes, dairy products, meat, sausages and bakery products.

Expenditure for the purchase of biological fruit rose by 47% in 2006 over the previous year, significantly more than those of vegetables, which recorded a rise of 11%. The highest sales growth of biological fruit, up to 95%, occurred during the first quarter of 2006.

During the same period of 2007, the growth rate of 20% was significantly lower than the same period in 2006. Vegetables in the growth have been more stable, 31% in the first quarter of 2006 and 23% over the same period of 2007.

Both in fruits and in vegetables, such growth is limited, however, a few crops: fruits, 70% of the amount sold only up to three products: bananas, apples and oranges. Sales of bananas, in particular, have doubled in 2006 over the previous year, reaching 250% during the first three months of the year, this year growth rates have moderated, although sales have increased still 40% compared to first quarter 2006.

Biological apples are ranked second in the preferences of German consumers. During the first quarter of 2007, we saw an increase in demand, reaching a 11% increase over the same period last year.

Oranges occupied the third place in scale of consumer preferences and growth of domestic sales compared to last year stood at 66%. However, since early this year, it is experiencing stagnation in the quantities sold.

SOURCE: Bulletin of international food and fishing information. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.