UK Organic Food Market Sees Record Growth Amidst Cost-Of-Living Crisis
The UK's organic food market has witnessed its largest boom in two decades, with sales skyrocketing by nearly 8% in the year leading up to September 2025. According to figures from the Soil Association, this growth is not solely due to price hikes, but rather a surge in demand for organic products across various categories.
Organic meat sales have also seen a significant uptick, with organic chicken increasing by an impressive 13% year-over-year. This remarkable growth can be attributed to consumers increasingly prioritizing health and wellness amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. As Clare Hadway-Ball, senior commercial manager at the Soil Association, notes, "People are still concerned about the cost of living but health is also really important."
Other statistics paint a picture of a market where middle-income families are becoming key players. In fact, they are often the most frequent buyers of organic essentials such as fruit and vegetables, tinned goods, pasta, and rice. This broadening appeal suggests that organic food has transcended its traditional niche, appealing to a wider demographic.
The growth in sales can be attributed to several factors, including greater awareness about healthy diets and concerns over "where you can go to get food you can trust." Retailers are also catching on, with big supermarkets like Tesco revamping their organic offerings. For example, Tesco recently revamped its own-label range of more than 100 products, citing the importance of quality and great taste for its customers.
Other notable players in the market have also seen significant growth. Waitrose has invested heavily in expanding and relaunching its Duchy Organic brand, which now boasts over 250 products. This move has contributed to an increase in sales of organic food both in terms of value and volume.
However, a significant challenge remains: affordability. As Hadway-Ball notes, "Organic food costs more to produce generally so it costs more for the consumer." However, promotions like Clubcard and Nectar have made everyday items like butter, carrots, and apples available at competitive prices, easing some of this burden.
Analysts point to a key demographic driving the market's growth: Gen Z. A recent poll found that 42% of 18- to 24-year-olds buy organic at least once a month, making them significantly more likely to purchase organic fruit and veg than their millennial counterparts. This enthusiasm for organic food is not only driven by health concerns but also a desire for sustainability.
Yeo Valley's head of marketing, Tor Crockatt, notes that Gen Z has been shaped by an era where consumers are increasingly aware of the impact on people and the planet. "They have been brought up in an era where they have heard a lot about the health of people and the planet," Crockatt explains. "There's a lot of scepticism from consumers [about the food industry] so it feels like now is the time for organic to shine."
As the UK's organic food market continues to boom, one thing is clear: quality matters more than ever.
The UK's organic food market has witnessed its largest boom in two decades, with sales skyrocketing by nearly 8% in the year leading up to September 2025. According to figures from the Soil Association, this growth is not solely due to price hikes, but rather a surge in demand for organic products across various categories.
Organic meat sales have also seen a significant uptick, with organic chicken increasing by an impressive 13% year-over-year. This remarkable growth can be attributed to consumers increasingly prioritizing health and wellness amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. As Clare Hadway-Ball, senior commercial manager at the Soil Association, notes, "People are still concerned about the cost of living but health is also really important."
Other statistics paint a picture of a market where middle-income families are becoming key players. In fact, they are often the most frequent buyers of organic essentials such as fruit and vegetables, tinned goods, pasta, and rice. This broadening appeal suggests that organic food has transcended its traditional niche, appealing to a wider demographic.
The growth in sales can be attributed to several factors, including greater awareness about healthy diets and concerns over "where you can go to get food you can trust." Retailers are also catching on, with big supermarkets like Tesco revamping their organic offerings. For example, Tesco recently revamped its own-label range of more than 100 products, citing the importance of quality and great taste for its customers.
Other notable players in the market have also seen significant growth. Waitrose has invested heavily in expanding and relaunching its Duchy Organic brand, which now boasts over 250 products. This move has contributed to an increase in sales of organic food both in terms of value and volume.
However, a significant challenge remains: affordability. As Hadway-Ball notes, "Organic food costs more to produce generally so it costs more for the consumer." However, promotions like Clubcard and Nectar have made everyday items like butter, carrots, and apples available at competitive prices, easing some of this burden.
Analysts point to a key demographic driving the market's growth: Gen Z. A recent poll found that 42% of 18- to 24-year-olds buy organic at least once a month, making them significantly more likely to purchase organic fruit and veg than their millennial counterparts. This enthusiasm for organic food is not only driven by health concerns but also a desire for sustainability.
Yeo Valley's head of marketing, Tor Crockatt, notes that Gen Z has been shaped by an era where consumers are increasingly aware of the impact on people and the planet. "They have been brought up in an era where they have heard a lot about the health of people and the planet," Crockatt explains. "There's a lot of scepticism from consumers [about the food industry] so it feels like now is the time for organic to shine."
As the UK's organic food market continues to boom, one thing is clear: quality matters more than ever.
I mean, have you noticed how much people are willing to pay extra for organic stuff these days? Like, 13% year-over-year growth in organic chicken sales... that's crazy! 
And it's not just the wealthy ones buying it either - middle-income families are getting in on the action too. That's a big deal because usually, you'd think people with more disposable income would be the only ones interested in organic food.
I guess when you grow up knowing about climate change and health issues, you're more likely to care about where your food comes from. And it's not just about health - sustainability is huge for these young people.
. Like, who wouldn't want to know exactly what they're putting into their body? But at the same time, it's crazy that organic food costs more... I've been trying to cut back on my own grocery bill lately, so this is a bummer 
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. It's like, they grew up during a time when everyone was talking about climate change and stuff, so they've just kind of absorbed that info into their consumer habits 
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. I mean, have you seen how popular organic chicken has become lately? It's like, what's not to love about eating well while still being sustainable 
. But honestly, affordability is still a big issue for me... I wish there were more affordable options out there without sacrificing quality 
. And don't even get me started on the environmental impact of mass-producing all this organic food - it's like we're just creating more problems instead of solving them 
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. Big supermarkets like Tesco revamping their labels is a win for us consumers, but let's be real, it's still gonna take some effort to justify those prices 
. It'll be fascinating to see how the industry adapts to meet their demands for sustainable, healthy food options.
! It's crazy to think that sales have skyrocketed by nearly 8% in just a year - that's some serious growth 
! It just goes to show that younger generations care deeply about health, wellness, and sustainability.
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Tesco revamping their organic range is a big win for consumers! But yeah, affordability is still a major issue 
! It's crazy to think that sales have increased by nearly 8% in just a year - that's some serious growth 
. Gen Z is definitely the driving force behind this trend 
. Guess we'll just gotta keep it real 'n find ways to make it more affordable 4 everyone 
. I mean, I get that organic food costs more to produce, but promotions like Clubcard are definitely helping ease the burden 
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. Let's see if more brands take note and invest in creating beautiful, functional designs 
. The fact that middle-income families are becoming key buyers of organic essentials shows that it's not just about being a wealthy individual who can afford to shop at Whole Foods. Its great to see big supermarkets like Tesco revamping their organic offerings too - I mean who doesn't want affordable organic options for everyday life? 
, as they're always looking for ways to make a positive impact on the world 
. And waitrose's investment in expanding its Duchy Organic brand is also a big win 
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