Organic food export to Denmark
Introduction to the Danish organic market
 
 

 




Although Denmark is a relatively small country the market for organic food and environmental products is rather interesting as an export market. The market share for organic products are among the highest in Europe and in general the Danish population has high interest environment friendly products.

The economy in Denmark has been developing fast in the last years (2003 - 2007). The unemployment is low and the consumers have been demanding more products - and there has been  a dramatic growth in the interest of organic food. Even though Denmark has a high production of organic food it has been necesarry with import of many organic products.

Very early (in the 1980'ies) the Danish supermarkets paid attention to organic foods and still a very large percentage of the organic food in Denmark is sold via supermarkets. Anyhow there is a growing market in the catering sector, restaurants and special shops. In the last five years box scheme systems has become popular too.

Turnover of organic foods in Danish retail shops
2003 2004 2005 2006
270 mill. Euro 270 mill. Euro 310 mill. Euro 360 mill. Euro

Dairy products are the most important organic products on the Danish market covering aprox. half of the total turnover. Also in the conventional food sector fresh milk is a very important product on the Danish market. Anyhow the organic market share on fresh milk is close to 30 percent.

Also the organic market share for oatflakes is arround 30 percent. Products like carrots, potatoes and onions has relatively high market share too covering more than half of the total sales of organic vegetable. However the consumers interest in organic vegetable and fruit is increasing. Already today a high import is needed to satisfy the market for organic vegetable and fruits.