George Siemon, CEO of Organic Valley of Farms, the USA’s largest cooperative of organic farmers said in weak economy, new organic customers will be more cautious. Sales growth has slowed but remains strong because of the loyalty of core organic buyers. They say new consumers are tougher to attract, given that organic can cost 10% to 50% more than non-organic rivals.
Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farm, a leading organic yogurt maker says “Most of us are seeing slightly slower growth, but we are still seeing growth.” He expects 18% revenue growth this year, up from 16% last year but down from 24% plus in past years. Others also reported slower growth than Wall Street analysts anticipated, including Whole Foods Market and Lifeway Foods.
George Siemon also says existing organic buyers may cut purchases of discretionary items, such as organic ice cream, and to the basic such as organic milk and meat. Siemon earlier targeted 24% growth this year for Organic Valley. Now he is looking for 22% and the co-op had 30% growth last year. The Organic Trade Association said that sales of organic foods and beverages are expected to reach $24 billion this year, and average about 18% annual growth through 2010.
Laurie Demeritt president of market researcher of The Hartman Group says almost 70% of U.S. shoppers bought something organic over a recent three month period. She also says Hartman’s consumer survey earlier this year showed that organic use has been leveling off since 2006, and she also said organic are also seeing increased competition from “locally grown” products, whether they are organic or not.

Representatives of the organic community meet with the US department of Agriculture or USDA Farm Bill Implementation Team to discuss the implementation of organic provisions within the 2008 Farm Bill. The USDA Farm Bill Implementation Team was charged with crafting 70 implementation rules by 90 days after the 18 June enactment of the Bill.
It was arranged by The Organic Trade Association or OTA, was an opportunity to present information on the significance of organic provisions to the team charged with implementing the Farm Bill. Mark Lipson, senior policy analyst for the Organic Farming Research Foundation said “This meeting was very important as we shift from legislative advocacy to the hard work of implementation.” “Our wins in the Farm Bill must be integrated into each agency’s work plan as directed by the USDA leadership, but it won’t happen automatically.”
OTA spokesperson and other participants stressed the importance of National Organic Program funding, organic production and market data, research needs, organic crop insurance provisions, the national cost share certification program, and provisions for organic agriculture in conservation programs. OTA led group include representatives of the Organic Farming Research Foundation or OFRF, National Organic Coalition, Center for Food Safety, National Centre for Appropriate Technology, Rodale Institute, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Food and Water Watch and Florida Organic Growers.

With more people interested in buying organic food, a tucked away on the Canandaigua shoreline sits 50 acres of what Wegmans family calls their great experiment.  Wegmans developed a farm that is used as a testing ground to learn more about organic growing and pass on that knowledge to local growers.  Wegmans says his stores have seen an increased demand for organic produce in recent years, despite the fact that it’s usually more expensive.

Anne Grover, the organic farm’s garden manager said “I believe in bringing the heirloom vegetables back,” ”It is good DNA, they’ve survived the test of time, they are open pollinated which I think is very important.  I guess I’m old fashioned girl and an old fashioned gardener.”   Area farmers have noticed the trend as well.  A local farmer Jeff Partyka said, “I think there is an increased demand for growing organic and it is something we are hoping we can do.”  Partyka also owns a small fruit and vegetable farm in Hamlin.

Chickens raised on organic feed are also part of this farm.  Wegmans farm manager Steve Straub said “Once the farm gets going, I think this is a viable way of producing vegetables also.  We are just getting the fields and the soil established and that is the key.”  Those working the fields believe someday organic farming will surpass the traditional way of growing produce.  One area farmer is already considering making the switch from traditional to organic.

Yeo Valley Organic sponsors the Soil Association Organic Food Festival it is the Europe’s largest celebration of all things organic and kicks off this year’s Soil Association Organic Fortnight, this is a nationwide campaign bringing together communities, retailers, restaurants, organic farms and schools.
The festival is now in its eight year and the event will take place in Bristol on September 6 and 7, 2009 and it will be host to over 300 organic companies, showcasing the very best organic food, drink, skincare, and home ware products.

People who will visit will be spoilt for choice with food markets, green plane pavilion, kitchen demonstration, food cruises around harbor, and an arts and entertainment fringe. The festival will open with the Matthew sailing towards the Amphitheatre and new to the festival are the Local Market in Anchor Square, Grow Your Own Organic Garden area, Organic Live!, areas including cookery demos and wine tasting and the food for life Partnership Cooking Bus in the Kid’s zone.

The Soil Association Organic Food Festival is greener than ever with the introduction of sustainably source biofuel to power the festival generators, and an emphasis on travelling to the festival by train, bus and ferry. To encourage people to come by train, the Soil Association, in partnership with First Travel, offering a 2 for 1 offer on festival tickets on presentation of proof of using First Travel transport.

In Chiang Mai longan growers in northern Thailand have successfully sold 10 tons of peeled and dehydrated organic longan, the first pesticide free dried longan that shipped from the country.  Managing director of Prompungwahn Co., Prokchon Pramgungwahn said that “the volume is also much lower than demand warrants, and strong market growth for healthy products has prompted us to spurn chemically grown longan”.  Prompungwahn Co. is a lead company in the cluster that groups 30 longan growers in Chiang Mai and Lamphun.

The cluster was formed last year with the support of German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and the Institute of Product Quality and Standardization of Maejo University, which aims to open niche markets and promote sustainable growth for longan growers.  The agency will take 18 months to certify all production process and give its approval.  They joined the international organic standard system in 2007 and organic longan from the 2008 cultivation season is awaiting certification from the Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand.

About 130 tons of organic longan were produce this year, and with 110 tons dehydrated to produce 10 ton of dried and peeled longan, or Lamyai Sri Thong.