Organic Food in France: A Fundamental Consumer Trend

Organic food in France continues to gain focus with traditional retail groups such as Intermarché adding a dedicated organic food space for online shoppers. This is in addition to Auchan's opening of a dedicated organic supermarket 'Coeur de nature" in the Paris region in May 2012, Leclerc's online price comparison for organic food which gives a ranking of organic stores price competitively, dedicated organic zones or sales outlets in groups such as Carrefour, Casino, Monoprix, as well as the listing of many organic products in low cost stores such as Leader Price and Aldi.

According to the French organic agency the sector in France was worth €3.91 billion in 2011, a rise of 47% compared to 2008. Between 2010 and 2011 consumer purchases of organic products increased by 11% in value. The market share of organic food consumed at home has reached 2.3%.

Although home consumption (i.e. retail sales) represents the majority of organic sales, collective catering groups have increased significantly their organic food offer. This has initially been motivated by state policy fixing an objective of 20% organic product in menus for 2012 as mentioned in an earlier Food Alert article. According to the French organic agency 6 out of 10 restaurants had organic offerings on menus by early 2012. Another study carried out by the agency in 2012 indicated that 78% of organic consumers claimed they would maintain their consumption of organic products while an additional 18% stated they would increase. The organic sector in France appears to be resisting the current economic climate with further growth anticipated.

Source: Bord Bia - Organic Food in France: A Fundamental Consumer Trend

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