Figures show India’s wealthy are flocking to organic food

By RJ Whitehead, 23-May-2013

This week’s figures come in spite of organic foods being at least one-third more expensive than traditional foods, suggesting that parents are more concerned about their children's health and maintaining a safe diet.

Vegetable buying led the pack of organic segments with 68%, followed by fruits (52%), fruit juices and pulses (51% each), foodgrains (50%) and milk (45%).

Boon for industry

Rawat said this increase in organic consumption will come as a welcome relief for the country’s food industry after regular headlines about poor diet, obesity and diabetes hitting the press in recent months.

The central government is also in the process of promoting organic crops, fruits and vegetables through a range of schemes including the National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and schemes of the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

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