March 26, 2007

 

Organic beef marks demand in UK
 

 

The demand for organic beef in the UK has been on the rise and could probably outstrip the usual British beef supply, according to the Red Meat Industry Forum (RMIF).

 

Consumer demand will grow by 30 to 40 percent within the next three years as UK retailers already import around 40 percent of organic beef from South America and elsewhere, while 60 percent is domestically produced, said the RMIF.

 

The surge in demand will have the need for more imports said RMIF adviser Bob Bansback.

 

Addressing the Soil Association's British organic beef conference in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, Bansback said the cost of producing organic beef was on average 20 to 25 percent higher than the standard variety.  In this case, Bansback said suppliers and retailers should make long-term commitments to ensure an adequate profit return to producers.

 

The RMIF is also encouraging more organic dairy farmers to also produce organic beef.

 

According to a market survey conducted by RMIF, data shows consumers in London and the South-East eat the most organic beef.

 

Northumberland organic livestock farmer Carron Craighead, from Ponteland, said it was important that the whole infrastructure was working efficiently if more farmers were being encouraged to go organic.

 

Craighead comments that aside from farmers, processors and distributors should also be prepared for a possible organic beef boom.

 

She stressed the expansion of organic beef will significantly reduce imports as well as increase its domestic production. 

 

Despite booming sales, organic beef currently makes up around 1 percent of the UK's total beef market.

 

The RMIF was established to help livestock farmers during the foot-and- mouth epidemic and is funded by the British government.