A new report has found that organic produce growers have experienced an 80 per cent growth in farm gate sales over the last four years and locally the organic market seems to be thriving.

‘Glenbye’ Organic Farm at Elong Elong, is run by the O’Leary family.

It might appear to be an average farm with sheep and cattle, but ‘Glenbye’ is completely chemical free, producing top quality organic meat.

Although the concept of growing organics in the very district where chemicals were first used needed a fair bit of convincing, their success across such a diverse range of farm production is reaping results.

“We sell meats domestically and we also export overseas to Japan and Korea, and we are now in talks with Canada and the United Arab Emirates to export our meat there,” Julie O’Leary said.

The reports, released by the Biological Farmers of Australia found that as most farmers battle with drought and low sales, the organic market is showing significant growth.

Organic food sales at Healthy Life at Centro in Dubbo have jumped by almost 60 per cent since 1993.

“A lot more people are concerned about what they eat these days,” A Healthy Life spokesperson said.

“Organic honey that is bottled in Dubbo is very popular and so is bread made from spelt - an ancient grain, that is grown near Parkes,” she said.

According to Healthy Life, the drought has not effected organic food sales.

The O’Leary’s who started their farm in 1987 and are pioneers in the organic game said that there was about a 20 per cent premium on organic produce than conventional produce.

“You can always get a premium on organic produce no matter whether the conventional market looks good,” Mrs O’Leary said. “With organic you pay a little bit more but you get no chemicals, no insecticides and pesticides in the meat.”

Organic food is becoming popular with people who suffer from cancer.

Mrs O’Leary said although organic produce growth was significantly up, it was usually much higher in the city than in the country.

The report also revealed the organic market was worth about $230 million a year and there were 2750 certified growers in Australia.

Australia now accounts for the largest amount of organic farmland in the world.

belinda.galloway@ruralpress.com