What's happened
Despite ongoing inflation, the UK organic food market is experiencing its strongest growth in two decades, driven by health concerns and trust in quality. Sales of organic meat, fish, and produce are rising, with major supermarkets expanding their ranges. Consumers remain willing to pay premium prices for trusted, healthy options.
What's behind the headline?
The current boom in the UK organic market signals a shift in consumer priorities, where health and trust outweigh cost concerns. Despite inflation, sales of organic meat, fish, and produce are rising sharply, indicating a sustained demand for quality food. Major retailers like Tesco and Waitrose are expanding their organic ranges, reflecting confidence in this trend. This growth is likely to continue as consumers become more health-conscious and seek transparency in food sourcing. However, the premium prices remain a barrier for some households, which could limit broader adoption. The sector's resilience suggests that trust and health will remain key drivers, but economic pressures may eventually temper growth if costs continue to rise.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that the UK organic market is experiencing its biggest boom in two decades, with sales up 9% in 2025, driven by health concerns and trust in food sources. Rob Haward of Riverford highlights that this growth has continued into 2026, with increased customer spending and new market entrants. Meanwhile, The Independent notes that despite inflation easing, consumers are still prioritising value, with own-label products reaching record sales, and a significant portion of grocery spend now dedicated to trusted, organic options. Both sources emphasize that supermarket investments and consumer trust are central to this sustained growth, contrasting with past downturns during economic crises.
How we got here
The organic market in the UK has faced challenges since the credit crunch and pandemic, but recent years have seen a resurgence. Increased awareness of health and trust in food sources have driven growth, supported by supermarket investments and consumer willingness to pay more for quality and transparency.
Go deeper
Common question
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More on these topics
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Tesco plc, trading as Tesco, is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer with headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Asda Stores Ltd. trading as Asda, is a British supermarket retailer, headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The company was founded in 1949 when the supermarket owning Asquith family merged with the Associated Dairies company of Yorkshire.
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Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG is a German international discount supermarket chain that operates over 10,000 stores across Europe and the United States.
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Waitrose & Partners is a brand of British supermarkets, selling groceries as part of Britain's largest employee-owned retailer, the John Lewis Partnership. Its head offices are located in Bracknell and Victoria, England.