Overview
- BÖLW, which published new figures Sunday, reported Q1 organic food revenue up 6% year over year to €4.91 billion, outpacing the recent 1.8% rise in food prices.
- Discount grocers held 30% of sales and supermarkets 29%, while drugstores grew purchases by about 14% and now hold nearly 13%.
- Retailers’ own organic brands drove the gains with sales up 12.5%.
- Shoppers bought more meat substitutes, flour, sweets, frozen foods, deli items, ready meals, hot drinks, and baked goods, while beer and spirits fell and eggs and meat rose mainly because prices increased.
- Domestic supply lags demand as organic land stood at 11.5% in 2024 and organic farms fell 2.2% to 35,881, prompting calls from the industry for new conversion incentives in Berlin and Brussels.