According to Guillaume Thomas, expert and buyer of fruits and vegetables at the supermarket chain Bio NaturéO, apples and bananas are the most popular organic fruits. “They're simple to eat, easy to carry and they’re the basis for a lot of compotes, pies and juices."
Guillaume adds that the supply of organic products is more varied than the conventional product supply. "There are plenty of varieties of apples which are not very productive, and which have been abandoned by the farmers. Except for the organic varieties, which have remained. During the season, we offer 14 or 15 different varieties. In a regular supermarket you will find six different varieties at most. For an organic store, this variation is very important. People who are into organics love to have a varied diet. Often they do not eat snacks such as Mars or Snickers, and for this reason it’s important to offer a wide range of fruits and vegetables.”
"At the moment organic bananas are accessible to everyone, because the dollar rate is very low. But this can change. Organic bananas grow well, but they’re less attractive and up to 30% lighter than conventional. Large companies like Chiquita and Del Monte have gone organic to match a societal expectation. The production areas have had major problems, and they can no longer afford reports on villagers suffering from pesticides. “
The popularity of organic vegetables really depends on the season. "Our consumers are eating a lot of carrots and potatoes right now. They’re also buying citrus fruits, as well as the first strawberries and radishes."
With regard to plastic packaging, "you have to realize that there are very fragile products, like young shoots of salad or strawberries. It is difficult to sell them in bulk. In my opinion, we must not give up the plastic, but rather work on making the plastic biodegradable. “
Guillaume points out that the trays force the customers to buy a certain quantity. "I do not think this is good for organic consumers. They want to have the choice to buy one, two or three apples. However, in urban stores, customers are often much more in a hurry. They do not want to wait for the scales. In general, these consumers do not take care of the environment and eat organic just for their health. For the sake of speed, they will prefer the tray."
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