Sustainable food, groceries market grows to 2.6 billion euros

Dutch consumers spent 18 percent more on animal- and environmentally friendly produced food in 2014, spending a total of at least 2.6 billion euros. The market share of sustainable foods increased from 6 percent to 7 percent. This is according to the Sustainable Food Monitor 2014, which State Secretary Sharon Dijksma of Economic Affairs sent to the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, on Wednesday. The biggest increase in the use of sustainable foods happened in the professional market, such as restaurants, catering and healthcare. The use of sustainable foods in this market increased by 74 percent last year. Supermarkets and specialty shops also used more sustainable foods, with an increase of 3 and 4 percent respectively. The biggest increases were seen in sustainable eggs - 40 percent increase - and coffee and tee - 50 percent increase. These two products now occupy a market share of 35 percent and 25 percent respectively. Sustainable dairy products and beverages also saw increases of more than 30 percent. Meat and fish were the only products to show no growth. The meat sector stayed on the same level as in 2013. The fish sector shrank by 4 percent. According to the report, this can partly be attributed to less spending on fish and meat in general. Spending on products bearing an "organic" label increased by 6 percent in 2014. The researchers estimate that overall spending on organic products amounted to 1.13 billion euros. "That sustainable food is the future can be seen in the strong growth", Dijksma said to the Tweede Kamer. "People are increasingly willing to spend more money on a sustainable and honest product. That's good news for the environment and animal welfare. But also for food producers who want to become more sustainable."