SLU news
Public consumption of organic foods does not reach targets
Published: 12 January 2012
Public consumption of organic products was estimated to 12 per cent in 2010 while the goal was 25 per cent. In a recent report it is demonstrated that the consumption goal has increased the expenses for public meals.
Parliament sat in 2005 the target that 25 per cent of the public consumption of food should be organic in 2010. Jorgensen (2012) examines in a new report the extent to which the goal is reached, the additional costs associated with an increase in public consumption of organic food and the extent to which an increase in government consumption stimulates the expansion of Swedish organic agriculture.
The study estimates that the objective was achieved to about half (12 per cent), which increased public spending by approximately SEK 160 million. If the target of 25 per cent is achieved, expenditure will increase by a further 200 to 450 million. The sharp increase in spending is due to increased consumption to a greater extent would include those with a higher price premium such as meat and vegetables while today mainly products with a relatively low additional cost, such as milk, are bought. Apart from the additional cost that need to be paid for organic food, brings public consumption of organically also other costs, such as distribution, procurement and administration.
The study shows that other instruments aimed at the production rather than consumption is likely to have a greater potential to stimulate an expansion of Swedish organic farming, which can be partly explained by a significant import of organic products.