Section A – 35 Marks. Organic Food – Environment concerns impacting the way we shop2Reaction of distributors to the changing trends in consumer behaviour.4Supermarket Wars – How do they stack up ?5Specialised Organic Food Stores6Section B – 45 Marks6 pages7Importance of Certification Symbols7 Section A – 35 Marks. Organic Food – Environment concerns impacting the way we shopThe industry I have chosen for this report is the organic food industry and in particular the distribution channels for the food industry in Ireland and how they have reacted towards the changing in trends in consumer buying behaviour. Recent European scares regarding meat, BSE, and the bad publicity surrounding GM foods have been drivers of the organic food revenue.There is a growing demand for organically produced food in Ireland. The level of growth has accelerated exceedingly in the last few years. The rise in the area that is being farmed organically, which has more than doubled recently has resulted in increased volumes of Irish organic food becoming available, although like most European markets imports are prominent especially in the fruit and vegetable, spices and pasta markets. 28 per cent of Irish consumers buy organic food at least once a month. On average buying households spend around 20 per month on organic food. Irish consumers spontaneously associate organic food with being produced without chemicals and pesticides (57%) and being health and natural (37%). 60 per cent of purchases take place in supermarkets. 83 per cent do not recognise any of the main organic symbols in Ireland. 68 per cent of those who do not buy organic food say it is to expensive. Fruit and vegetables are the organic food products most likely to be tried by “non buying” consumers first followed by meat and dairy products.(sources Bord Bia Report 2001)This latest report by Bard Bia identifies clear potential for the development of...
