The 3rd IFOAM Trade Symposium entitled 'Finding the Competitive Advantage, A Challenge in these Uncertain Times' will feature experts in market research and retailers who will explore the impacts of the financial crisis on organic markets and highlight the attitudes of today’s consumers. During the Symposium, attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions and exchange with the speakers.
Program and Speakers
13:00 – Registration.
14:00 – Opening: Ms. Katherine Di Matteo, IFOAM President
14:15 - Consumer Behavior
in Tough Economic Times
Presented by Jonathan Banks, Insight Director, Nielsen Europe.
"How are consumers reacting to the financial crisis and what impact does that have on their grocery choices? How are retailers reacting to their perceptions of consumer needs? How should manufacturers respond - can they delight their retailer partners, their shoppers and (of course!) satisfy the consumer?"
15:00 – Consumer Culture and Tomorrow’s Marketplace
Presented by Mrs. Tamara Barnett, Senior Analyst, The Hartman Group, USA.
Presented by Jonathan Banks, Insight Director, Nielsen Europe.
"How are consumers reacting to the financial crisis and what impact does that have on their grocery choices? How are retailers reacting to their perceptions of consumer needs? How should manufacturers respond - can they delight their retailer partners, their shoppers and (of course!) satisfy the consumer?"
15:00 – Consumer Culture and Tomorrow’s Marketplace
Presented by Mrs. Tamara Barnett, Senior Analyst, The Hartman Group, USA.
"Consumers are literally changing the way they live, shop and use products before our very eyes - they’re pushing the envelope of culture and lifestyle in ways previously unimagined. Companies wishing to keep pace with consumers and take advantage of the vast opportunities these shifts in attitudes and behaviors hold, must first understand them. In this engaging presentation, Consumer Culture and Tomorrow’s Marketplace, Tamara Barnett will share her knowledge and experience, as well as draw from The Hartman Group’s extensive intellectual capital on consumer culture and behavior, to get to the heart of re-imagining products and brands.
This session will provide a solid approach to understanding consumer behavior in light of the changing cultural environment and how to best respond with your marketing efforts."
This session will provide a solid approach to understanding consumer behavior in light of the changing cultural environment and how to best respond with your marketing efforts."
15:45 - Break (with refreshments).
16:15 - Conventional Business Spearheads the Organic Development
Presented by Mr. Mikael Robertsson, Environmental Manager of COOP Sweden.
"As
early as 1980, members of the Coop Sweden have asked the cooperative to
actively engage in environmental issues. Through the development of
organic production and later also eco-labeled products Coop created a
useful tool to develop far-reaching environmental policy.
Consumer
cooperatives are value-driven companies and the development of their
own organic-branded products is the vehicle for them to work towards
sustainability.
Coop’s target is that by 2012, 10% of their food sales should be from organic products. Coop’s total market-share in Sweden in foods was about 20% in 2009. According to Robertsson, organic products are one of the most important things to offer to consumers in order to allow them to "vote with their wallets".
We need to see the organic producers getting more “professional”. Today food is no longer just produced at farm level, making it difficult for general consumers to buy food at farm-gate level. The food industry has a key role to play in the development of organic production and cooperation between conventional industry and organic raw material suppliers would be very much welcomed.
When organic production reaches 51% of overall agricultural production, it will be possible to put requirements on certification and inspection, making possible the application of the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ which has been talked about since the first UN conference on environmental issues 1972."
Coop’s target is that by 2012, 10% of their food sales should be from organic products. Coop’s total market-share in Sweden in foods was about 20% in 2009. According to Robertsson, organic products are one of the most important things to offer to consumers in order to allow them to "vote with their wallets".
We need to see the organic producers getting more “professional”. Today food is no longer just produced at farm level, making it difficult for general consumers to buy food at farm-gate level. The food industry has a key role to play in the development of organic production and cooperation between conventional industry and organic raw material suppliers would be very much welcomed.
When organic production reaches 51% of overall agricultural production, it will be possible to put requirements on certification and inspection, making possible the application of the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ which has been talked about since the first UN conference on environmental issues 1972."
17:00 - How the Malaysian Organic Market Evolved in one Decade: Changing Trends and Demand
Presented by Ms. Selina Gan, Director, Country Farm Organics, Malaysia.
"In the past 10 years, the Malaysian organic market has evolved from almost zero market, to supermarkets stocking organic products and creating organic sections. The demand for organic food was originally coming from a group of cancer patients who required organic food and fresh juices as part of their cancer therapy. Today, it also includes segments of health-conscious people and young families.
Family-owned organic shops were popular 5 years ago until the supermarkets entered the game and stocked up organic products. The growth in organic is from the supermarkets and not from the small shops. There is a proliferation of health food shops and eateries selling some organic products and lots of Taiwanese products targeting at the Chinese-educated customers.
Malaysia has the ability to export ethnic organic products targeting the Asian region. It has a pool of forward-looking entrepreneurs who have found gaps to fill in the Asian organic market. Strictness of organic and halal certified products have increased to meet demand by the Muslim community in the Middle East."
17:45 - Wrap-up and Conclusions: Ms. Katherine Di Matteo.
18:00 - Reception (with refreshments).