A new event aims to bring Scottish organic farmers and growers together to capitalise on continued market growth and favourable policy support by the Scottish government
Organic growers and food businesses in Scotland will gather next month to discuss new routes to market and how to make the most of favourable policy conditions and continued market growth for organic produce.
Soil Association Scotland, in partnership with its certifying arm Soil Association Certification, is hosting the inaugural Scottish Organic Gathering on 20 November at the Balcaskie Estate in Fife.
The event, which is free to attend, will include panels discussing new routes to market, including getting organic into catering and successful marketing interventions for positioning organic on the shelf.
It comes as the organic market continues to grow across the UK, with the most recent Nielsen figures showing organic food and drink sales have grown by 8.8 per cent in value and 4.4 per cent in unit sales, outperforming non-organic at 3.7 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively.
Despite this growth in the market, the percentage of land farmed organically has remained stagnant at three per cent across the UK. However, on a devolved level there are clear difference with an upsurge in land coverted to organic in Scotland, helped by the Scottish Government’s backing of organic farming through the upcoming Scottish Organic Action Plan.
Scotland saw a 13 per cent increase in organic farmland (including land in conversion) in 2024, compared to England’s marginal gain of one per cent and an 11 per cent fall in organic land in Wales.
“The significant increase in organic land managed under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is a testament to Scotland’s commitment to sustainable farming and environmental stewardship,” said Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands.
“This progress brings us closer to meeting our ambitious programme for government target of seeking to double the area of land used for organic farming by 2026.”
Head of policy at Soil Association Scotland, David McKay, said: “The recent growth in organic land area has been driven by Scottish government policy - with consistent support for conversion and maintenance through the Agri Environment Climate Scheme, and the removal of the area caps on conversion.
“We know from international experience that action plans can be effective in helping to develop markets for organic produce.”
While organic sales in Scotland make up a smaller share of the market than the UK as a whole – less that one per cent according to data from Worldpanel by Numerator – the northern nation has seen strongest growth in organic engagement from consumers.
