Woolies to up organic food sales by R1bn by 2012

Retail group Woolworths Holdings said on Thursday that it would continue to expand its organic food range, aiming to increase organic food sales by more than one billion rand by 2012.

Woolworths is one of the country's largest retailers of fresh produce, currently supplying about a third of the fresh produce consumed through South African retailers, it said, adding that it was also a well-established leader in certified organic fresh produce.

It explained that certified organic foods were grown without the use of artificial chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, and complied with strict organic standards. "Organic farming does not release potentially harmful chemicals into water supplies," it said.

According to the group, this is one of its measures that helped it minimise the effects that its business has on South Africa's water supply.

It said that the agricultural sector was South Africa's largest consumer of water, with just over 50% of the country's water supply used for irrigation.

"Increasing demand for water, and decreasing water quality, makes careful water management a priority in South Africa," it added.

It explained that because it shares the growing public concern about the quality of South Africa's water resources, it had been committed to continuing innovative and environmentally sound farming methods, including a reduction in the use of chemicals and pesticides.

"This helps to preserve the quality of South Africa's water, and to manage Woolworths' extended ecological footprint," it added.

It also said that it was encouraging its customers to reduce water usage by ensuring that most of the fresh produce sold in Woolworths stores had already been washed and was ready to eat.

"Good water management and responsible farming methods are the key to preserving one of South Africa's scarce natural resources," it concluded.

By 15:44 on the JSE, its share price was down 30 cents, or 2.33%, to 12.60 rand, in line with other retail stocks on the bourse.

Article via I-Net-Bridge