Organic farming involves practices that promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. To achieve this they largely operate without the use of certain pesticides and fertilizers in growing their crops. There has been increased consumer demand for these products since the 1990s and there is no sign that this is likely to end as people become more concerned about the impact of pesticides and other chemicals that end up in the foods they eat.
Organic suppliers, however, are having difficulty meeting demand as areas farmed organically that supply them have also not kept up. Manufacturers of organic products must also ensure that they only use organic ingredients (such as herbs and spices, for example).
It takes approximately three years for farmland that has been cropped using modern techniques to be returned to a state that can be certified as organic so many farmers are reluctant to lose this period of production. It seems organic supplies are likely to be in demand but in short supply for the foreseeable future.
