Consumers are now spending about 62 percent more on fair trade & organic products that we generally call ethical foods. The dramatic increase in organic food's demand has resulted in shortages in beef and organic milk &

increased concerns that producers are pressurized to lower their standards to meet the orders of supermarkets.

According to food experts, however, the ethical segment (including produce from the markets of farmers & the freedom food plan of RSPCA) is set to become much larger. Many ethical goods have now gained entry in the mainstream of food market, with the rapid involvement of leading suppliers & retailers. During summer, many firms may be expecting to enhance their profile via projecting a more ethical standpoint.

In September 2006, Tesco, the largest supermarket in Britain, reported a rise of 30% in its food sales, compared to previous year (2005). Sainsbury's has reported an increase in the sales of its ethical foods the first week of Oct 2006. It has more than 400 own brand organic foodstuffs and nearly 15 percent of total milk sold by it is organic.

As per food industry analysts, around seventy fair trade & organic food products were introduced over the last year (2005) alone in UK, compared to 25 in the year 2002.

Exponential growth was seen in fairly traded foods over the last five years (2000-05), representing a 265% increase in sales. Food industry analysts have predicted that sales in the sector would further grow by a 138% in the coming 5 years, with the market estimated to be around US$ 686.4 Million by the year 2011.

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