Dutch consumers are buying more environment and animal-friendly food, with sales rising nearly 11% to €2.5bn last year, according to the latest sustainable food monitor published by the economic affairs ministry.

It is the fourth year in a row that total sales have risen. Fish (up 21%) and eggs (up 15%) showed the sharpest rises. Meat sales were down over 10%, and fruit and veg sales fell by 3%.

Nevertheless, what the monitor considers to be sustainable food still only accounts for 6.1% of total food sales.

Organic

The research covers more than just organic produce. It includes food sold under 11 different green and more animal-friendly labels such as Beter Leven (better life – used for meat), Fair Trade, MSC and UTZ Certified.

Sales of certified organic food rose 13.4% to €473m, or around 20% of the total, the report shows.