Italian organic takes the blows of the crisis. After the great growth in the 2020-2021 pandemic biennium, domestic consumption slows down. However, those in catering return to grow and theexport.
The scenario emerges from data Nomisma presented at Bio Revolution 2022, at SANA, the International Organic and Natural Trade Fair of BolognaFiere.
Bio Revolution 2022, Nomisma data
The domestic market of organic in 2022 (year ending in July) reflects the combined effects of inflation (+10.4 in August) and the easing of pandemic restrictions:
- 89% of Italian families bought organic at least once, in line with the 2021 data. However, domestic consumption declined by 0.8%,
- more than 6 Italians out of 10 consumed organic products outside the home, in bars, restaurants, pizzerias, etc. Here there is a 53% increase in organic consumption compared to 2021, with a value of one billion euros. Thanks to regained social life and the offer of organic foods in collective catering (+20%) and commercial catering (+79%).
Overall these are sales of 5 billion euros, 3.5% of global organic retail sales.
Where organic is purchased
The performance of the sales channels in 2022 compared to 2021 confirm a trend already observed:
- specialized stores -8%,
- modern distribution +0.8%,
- other channels +5%. These include direct sales in markets and companies, GAS solidarity purchasing groups, as well as pharmacies, parapharmacies and herbalists.
The primacy of modern distribution
Modern distribution remains the primary reference channel for organic purchases. It represents 57% of total sales for household consumption. In 2022, sales amounted to 2.3 billion euros.
In this context,
– hypermarkets and supermarkets account for most organic sales: 1.4 billion euros in July 2022, down compared to last year (-2.0%),
– the discount, second in size, record organic sales of 272 million euros, +14%,
– convenience stores + minimarkets, with sales of 159 million euros, decline by -4.6%,
– the Drug Specialists (or Home & Personal Specialists) mark a +5.7% sales increase, although remaining a small portion of modern distribution.
Finally, good is theecommerce. With a +5% sales increase in 2022 totaling 78 million euros.
What Italians buy
The categories of products most sold in modern distribution are
- grocery (pasta, baked goods, preserves, sauces), which accounts for 57% of total value sales,
- fresh (cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, eggs), 20%,
- fruits and vegetables, 13%.
The foods best sellers are, as in 2021, eggs, fruit jams and spreads, milk substitute drinks.
Sales trend is livelier for pet care and organic meats: +19% and +15%.
Theexport is booming
If internal consumption is still at a lower level than neighboring countries, theexport continues to grow, ranking Italy first in export value.
In 2022, exports reached 3.4 billion euros, with a +16% increase compared to the previous year, up to 3.4 billion euros in sales on international markets.
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of investigative reports on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
