With many sectors of the Australian organic industry currently thriving, one sector that is set to boom in the coming years is that of organic snack foods. Fleur Michell writes. This article was first published in Food & Drink Business September/October 2020.
The global organic snack market is currently valued at more than $8.7 million and is expected to rise to $24 million by 2025, according to the latest Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast report.
Figures from the Australian Organic Market Report 2019 show the domestic and export value of processed/ready to eat foods is worth $207 million. Almost one third (28 per cent) of consumers said they purchased organic confectionery and snacks every month.
Australian Organic Limited (AOL) CEO Niki Ford says Australian organic producers are continuing to make waves both domestically and internationally.
“People, especially this year, are becoming more conscious of health and environmental concerns,” Ford says.
“Many consumers are more aware of pesticides and synthetic chemicals in products such as snack foods and are also wanting healthier options to traditional snack foods.
“Australian organic snack producers and suppliers are continuing to deliver innovative products into the market with amazing flavour combinations, which are also very good for you, so it’s an exciting time.”
Raising awareness
September is Australian Organic Awareness Month, an annual event, which highlights just how important it is to always look for an official certification logo when purchasing products that claim to be organic.
As it stands, the use of the word ‘organic’ is not defined in Australia, so for the past 18 months AOL, has been working with government and industry to progress the discussion for a mandatory regulation aligned to Australian export requirements.
The government is considering a number of regulatory pathways to achieve this commonsense approach and align Australia with international standards.
“Currently within Australia, being certified organic is a voluntary process however any producer or manufacturer can claim a product is organic on its packaging with as little as one ingredient being from organic origins,” Ford says.
“Regulating the use of this word will give producers, manufacturers and consumers much greater clarity that the product they are purchasing has been rigorously audited against a high-quality standard.”
Millennial appeal
If there’s one thing young people can’t get enough of its coffee.
Melbourne-based company Murray River Organics, which operates large-scale sustainable processes and is the biggest, fully integrated producer of organic dried vine fruit in the world, recently launched a new range of trail mix snacks, which feature organic coffee beans sourced from Melbourne company St Ali.
General manager Tara Lordsmith said the product, conceptualised at the beginning of the year, was in packets within just six weeks.
“Trail mixes are a perfect extension of our recently launched muesli range which has gone into Coles supermarkets nationally. Coffee is a perfect pick-me-up, so we made it the hero ingredient for this particular variant.
“The innovation process started with a big workshop with our cross functional team. We got everyone to construct their ideal mix from a big list of organic ingredients we knew we could source locally or internationally. Given most of the ingredients once we narrowed it down were on hand due to our extensive sourcing capabilities, the longest lead time was on finalising packaging and artwork.”
Lordsmith says the product is currently available through independent retailers with the business looking to grow distribution of the range quickly.
“We have high hopes as snacking has increased quite dramatically. As this is organic it ticks a lot of boxes, particularly for millennials who are the biggest snack food consumer market.
“They also resonate with ethically and sustainably produced products that are reasonably healthy. And considering this snack is based around coffee which millennials love, we’re sure it will appeal.”
The company, which also produces oils and pantry essentials, is now looking to expand its snack food range.
“We currently have this mix as well as our Lemon Raisins and Macadamia Mix, plus our 100% Organic Ultimate mix in the market. However, we see kids’ snack food as another opportunity. We specialise in sultanas, and as they are in over 70 per cent of all Australian households, they are the perfect foundation for a snack, and we want to elevate it to greater heights for kids.”
Lordsmith said the business has also just harvested the largest organic hemp farm in the country and aims to incorporate hemp into new snack foods and other products.
“It can be hard to sell new products unless you’re working directly with a retailer, however, we will continue to keep tasting and innovating in this space.”
10 innovative organic snacks
1. Murray River Organics: 100% Organic Coffee Deluxe Mix
One for coffee fans, this trail mix contains coffee beans mixed with healthy almonds, sultanas, banana chips, coconut, pepitas and cranberries.
2. Honest to Goodness: Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack
Sheets of lightly roasted organic seaweed – said to be one of nature’s superfoods – seasoned with sea salt.
3. Fine Fettle: Organic Carrot with Turmeric Flats
Loaded with carrot, which has been dried into a grain based flat to create a cracker, these also include turmeric which, is all the rage given its antioxidant properties.
4. Spiral Foods: Organic Mung Bean Chips
Dried with a bit of sea salt into crunchy chips, mung beans are rich in vitamins and minerals and may lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels reducing heart disease risk.
5. Loving Earth: Raw Organic Yellow Kale Chips
These chips contain cashew, carrot, coriander, and pressed kale, one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth.
6. Smoothie Bombs: The Healer Vanilla Hemp
A snack in a drink, add to milk or water with a piece of fruit or veggies for bulk, contains protein-rich hemp seeds, organic linseed, sunflower seed, almond and vanilla.
7. Bite Me Fine Foods: Sweet Potato Rostis
These rostis can be eaten cold or warm. Contains pumpkin, sweet potato, capsicum and carrot, which are good sources of carotenoids.
8. Totally Nuts: Organic Activated Cacao Boost Mix
Along with cacao nibs, contains activated almonds, cashews, pecans and pumpkin seeds to provide protein and quality fats.
9. Green Grove Organics: Organic Spelt Licorice
Made from the ancient grain, spelt, makes this licorice easier to digest then wheat-based varieties.
10. Wok Pop: Peking Duck popcorn
A spicy popcorn made from plant-based, allergen-free ingredients.
