A certified organic salmon product was recognized as one of the best new products of 2009 at the All Things Organic Conference & Trade Show in Chicago on Wednesday.
The Organic Smokehouse of Shropshire, U.K., won the Best Overall Organic Retail, 2009 New Product Competition distinction for its Elderflower Cured Gravadlax, a salmon cured for 48 hours in a traditional Welsh smokehouse in England. The product is certified organic by the U.K.’s Soil Association.
Several other natural and organic seafood product makers are exhibiting at the annual All Things Organic show, which draws manufacturers, distributors, retail buyers and others interested in sustainable and organic products.
The All Things Organic show organizers believe that consumers will continue buying health and wellness products, despite the economy.
“Recent studies show that consumers are evaluating what is truly important to them. Consumers see organic products as a solution, versus a luxury,” said a statement from All Things Organic, which is produced by Diversified Business Communications, SeafoodSource.com’s parent company.
Organic products are still experiencing growth in the United States. Sales of food and non-food organic products reached USD 24.6 billion (EUR 17.7 billion) by the end of 2008, a 17 percent increase over 2007.
In addition, consumers are more interested in experiencing ethnic cuisines and flavors, which includes some of the products being exhibited at the organic show and the co-located Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Foods shows, says research firm Packaged Facts. Annual U.S. cultural food sales are estimated at USD 75 billion (EUR 53.8 billion), which is the equivalent of USD 1 (EUR 0.71) out of every USD 7 (EUR 5.02) Americans spend on groceries.
The Organic Trade Association, the All Things Organic organizers, note that the top new product trends this year include:
• Foods that include functional ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
• Kosher-certified products that are also organic and gluten-free
• Authentic, ethnic prepared foods and exotic ingredients from around the world
• Gourmet presentations of high nutrient foods, such as carmelized flax seeds
• Gluten-free prepared meals, breads, sweets and snacks
• Whole and raw foods, to meet consumer demand for unprocessed items
