With Europe’s organic market worth €37 billion (£32 billion) and £45 million a week now spent on organic in the UK, the growth is reflected at Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show, which will feature a ‘record’ number of certified organic products.
Finn Cottle, trade consultant at Soil Association Certification, said: “Natural & Organic Products Europe gives a great platform for innovative organic brands to showcase their range and communicate why organic is important to them.
“Organic is in the right place to capitalise on many of the current consumer trends as shoppers are looking to purchase sustainable products to reduce their impact on the planet. It is a really good time for organic as the market is in its seventh year of growth, with a steady rise in 2018.”
Opening its doors on 7-8 April, at London ExCeL, over half (55%) of the 700 exhibiting companies are expected to display certified organic products – including food and drink, health and nutrition, beauty and personal care and eco-living.
Between them they’ll be promoting certification marks from around the world, including Soil Association, Organic Food Federation and Organic Farmers & Growers.
The show will include the Organic Hub, hosted by the Soil Association and the Organic Trade Board, which will showcase over 40 certified organic brands for 2019.
Brands already confirmed include The Green Milk Company, Carley’s of Cornwall (nut butters), Elements Organic (vitamin tea), Borough Broth Company and Pure Joy Honey.
Aileen Nicol, campaign director at the Organic Trade Board, said: “Natural & Organic Products Europe is the place to be for retailers looking to tap into the growth opportunity organic offers.
“It’s a dynamic and exciting event where you can source the breadth of the certified organic offer, see the latest innovations in line with consumer trends from new brands and established ranges, network with like-minded companies working together to grow organic and learn more about what’s driving momentum for organic.”
The show’s three theatres will also have a raft of ‘dedicated’ talks, giving ‘exclusive’ insights into the future of organic health, beauty and food – including sessions hosted by the Soil Association Certification.
Georgia Barnes will discuss the main findings of the Soil Association’s Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Report in the Natural Beauty Theatre, whilst Clare McDermott will be hosting a panel debate on ‘The Conscious Organic Consumer’ in the Natural Talks Theatre.
In the Natural Food Talks theatre, Lee Holdstock will discuss why organic is a systemic approach to food and farming and author and journalist, Pat Thomas, will be hosting a panel session – bringing together experts in farming, plant breeding, and organic business – for a topical discussion on the question; Can organic GMOs ever be a 'thing'?
For more information, and to register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk and quote priority code NPEPR