September is Organic Awareness Month so it’s only fitting we delve into all things organic.
The organic sector is a huge industry in Australia, currently worth $2.6 billion and isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. Growing focus on health and wellness and the impact of COVID-19 has made consumers more conscious of what they’re purchasing and where it’s coming from. It’s no wonder we’re seeing shifts in buying behaviour towards organic across all food and beverage categories.
What does organic mean?
The word ‘organic’ is used frequently to describe a product or process, but what does it actually mean? The term organic indicates the production process that has occurred ‘without the use of synthetic chemicals or genetically modified components’. For food and beverages this can represent factors such as non-GMO, free-range, sustainable, socially responsible, pasture-fed, free of harsh pesticides, herbicides and with no added hormones.
The growing interest in the organic industry has led to more and more consumers who are focused on buying things that are pesticide-free and environmentally friendly/sustainable. Consumers like to see the certification sign and know that products are grown organically and follow sustainable processes.
Organic certified coffee
Whilst the term organic coffee refers to the process of growing beans without using pesticides or herbicides, to be organically certified is often a lengthy and expensive process, not easily attainable for many producers operating in poor and remote agricultural regions. Every component of the supply chain process from growing the beans all the way to the roasters has to meet organic standards and be certified. As a result, many coffee’s do not carry the organic certification, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not naturally produced and free of any nasties.
It’s also important to note, whilst some products are consumed raw (such as fruits and vegetables), which heavily impacts the importance of how they are prepared, coffee is roasted, which involves high levels of heat, sanitising any nasties.
Are LCM certified?
For those producers who are organically certified, Langdon Coffee Merchants are able to work with them to sell certified organic coffee, as our warehouse is Australian Certified Organic. We aspire to serve as many roasters as possible and support those that aim to be 100% organic.
Overall, the organic industry is seeing massive growth and many in the coffee industry are adjusting to meet the shifts in buyer behaviour. That being said it’s an expensive and complex process to become organically certified and whilst some are able to gain the certification, the majority of producers still aim to grow as naturally as possible.
If you’re interested to know what organic coffee we currently stock, don’t hesitate to contact us.