June 12, 2014          
 

UK's organic poultry production rises

The number of organic poultry birds increased during 2013, despite the continued decline of organic farming land in the United Kingdom.

According to the latest statistics compiled by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), fully-certified organic hectarage in the United Kingdom fell by 3.9% in 2013, compared to a 7.38% drop in the previous year. This was on the back of a long-term decline since 2007.

Numbers of organic producers and processor numbers were also down. But while the United Kingdom's population of organic cattle, sheep and pigs declined in 2013, poultry livestock numbers increased by 1.2%.

According to the Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G), an organic control body in the United Kingdom, the increase in organic poultry was an indicator of shopper preferences, which it said could be a precursor to improvements in demand in other sectors.

Steven Jacobs, research and development officer at (OF&G), believed that the economy is reawakening with the organic market along with it, and that stemming the loss of producers is crucial. He believed that those who remained steadfast with organics will see demand increase for their produce.