Australia’s Booming Organic Market Beckons: But Joining The Game Is No Easy Process

With nine out of every ten Australians saying that chemical-free produce is important, it’s not surprising that retail sales of organics grew 50 percent in the past two years to $947 million and will probably top $1 billion in 2010. There are nearly 3,000 certified organic operators in the country -- a tiny fraction of farmers -- and the sector represents only one percent of total market value. So a huge opportunity exists for farmers who think they can produce foods that are in demand but in short supply, such as essential oils for cosmetics, organic eggs, milk and dairy. But the Biological Farmers of Australia warns that breaking into the organic market is complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Certification is tortuous: it can take months to follow the process and submit documentation.