Organics

Demand for quality and safety is boosting the growth of an organics industry in Australia.

Global growth of the organic sector is estimated at 20-30% annually, with the biggest markets in the US, Europe and particularly Japan, which experts estimate will have the highest level of organic food consumption per capita in coming years.

“Organic represents an historic landmark shift in the public’s view of agriculture, its impact on the environment and the nature of food production in the industrialised world,” says Dr Andrew Monk, CEO of Australia’s largest organic industry representative group, Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA). “Organic represents a vital link in the chain to finding not only sustainable futures, but also vital and healthy human populations.”

Organic pioneer chef Eiichiro Yamada (above) serves up Australian perch (below) in Tokyo

Australia is well placed to meet the growing demand for organics, thanks to a high proportion of farms certified as organic and the nation’s reputation for a commitment to quality and sustainability. While Australia’s organic industry still serves a niche market, demand is expanding rapidly for food grown using organic-certified methods – retail sales grew from A$28m in 1990 to A$250m in 2002, including exports valued at A$40m.

Australian organics in Japan

Demand in Japan for organic food is also increasing, with consumers wanting to know more about food – where it comes from, and how it is grown.

“We can tell the story of our fish from pond to plate,” says Tim Jones, owner of a Grafton-based fish farm. His farm is taking early steps as an organic exporter and Jones already has at least one happy Japanese customer. Eiichiro Yamada, a pioneer of organic cooking, runs Mominoki House restaurant in a trendy part of Tokyo and has replaced ocean fish with Jones’ organic perch because the fish are grown in a controlled pollution-free environment.

Rigorous standards

Australian Certified Organic (ACO) – the nation’s largest certifier for organic and biodynamic produce – administers one of the most respected and rigorous standards in the world for organic production. To be certified as organic, producers are assessed for conformity with national and inter-national requirements.

The ACO certifies more than half of all organic operations in Australia. Consumers can be assured that ACO-certified products comply with national production standards and can be traced back to their origin – another safe and tasty Australian guarantee of quality.

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