Organic food sales in Finland fell by 8% in 2022 (against 2021 figures) to be worth EUR 375 million. But the country’s lead organic lead body Pro Luomu says it is optimistic about longer term growth prospects.
A recent survey by Kantar shows that 57 per cent of Finns currently estimate that rising food prices will have a significant impact on how well they can take responsible choices into account when shopping for groceries. This, says Pro Luomu, has had “visible consequences” for the organic market.,
But consumer studies confirm that Finns are still interested in organic food, and as part of a larger sustainability trend, and that consumption can be expected to grow in the long term. Pro Luomu predicts that when inflation stabilises organic market growth is likely to be restored.
Some organic food categories did perform reasonably well despite the increase in food prices. However, organic baby food was the only group that managed to increase both value and volume.
In terms of both value and volume, organic sales fell the most in fresh meat, meat products, vegetables, plant-based beverages and brewing products. Measured in terms of value, organic lost its market share the most in the product groups of eggs, vegetables and vegetable oils.
“The rise in food prices and consumers’ increased price awareness have clearly affected organic sales. Unfortunately, consumers currently have to consider all responsible choices in the grocery store through their wallets,” says Pro Luomu’s executive director, Aura Lamminparras .
In 2022 Finns also went back to eating outside the home – in restaurants and food service – which generally decreased sales of basic raw materials such as vegetables and meat.