Boom Times For “Ethical” Food
Sales on fair trade, free range, and organic products in the United Kingdom were predicted to reach £2 billion in 2006, demonstrating growth of 62% from 2002 to 2006. Additional items including farmers’ market produce and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty’s Freedom Food scheme comprise the “ethical sector,” and together are predicted to experience even more growth.
This article summarizing the Mintel report, Attitudes Towards Ethical Foods in the U.K., found that 34% of people buy fair trade products “where available,” compared with 26% in 2002. Three-quarters now believe people have a duty to recycle – up from 65%, and 40% buy “free-range” whenever they can.
Increasing disposable incomes have contributed to the growth of the ethical foods sector, with 70 new ethical products launched in the U.K. during 2005, up from 25 in 2002.