French supermarkets close organic product aisles due to falling sales
The moves come as many believe that prices for the products are too expensive
Supermarkets are seeing pressure on their sales of organic products
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Sales of organic food products are dropping in France as shoppers feel they are too expensive in comparison to conventionally farmed items.
Sales of organic products from September 2022 to August 2023 were 12% lower compared to the previous year as shoppers look for ways to make savings.
This is thought to be influenced by price increases across many areas of everyday life.
As a result many supermarkets are closing their organic aisles completely, with some now stacking organic and non-organic products on the same shelves instead.
Some producers are no longer putting the organic logo on their products as they are concerned customers will automatically look at alternatives.
Inflation across the board
For the past two years supermarket prices have been at their highest, with an increase of up to 20%.
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Why is organic more expensive?
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations states that certified organic products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts for the following principal reasons.
Not only is supply more limited but production costs are also usually higher because of greater labour input.
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The post-harvest handling of relatively small quantities also results in higher costs.
Additionally pricing reflects the cost of environmental enhancement and protection, higher standards of animal welfare etc.
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