Urgent action is needed by the government, retailers and consumers to help our organic producers thrive

Soil Association chairman Craig Sams

But despite this increase, small farmers and independent retailers are losing out to supermarkets, says the group.

It is warning that organic farmers urgently need more support from government, retailers and consumers.

Sales of organic food reached �802m, up from �605m on the previous year.

Fully organic land more than doubled from 105,000 hectares to 240,000 hectares.

The number of companies licensed to produce organic food has risen by more than 50% to 1,675.

Traders' fears

Imports account for around three quarters of organic food sales.

Despite the success of the retail sector, farm gate sales are worth �100m.

British supermarkets account for 80% of domestic sales while sales through farm shops have decreased by 6% and the market share held by independent retailers has dropped by 2%.

Soil Association chairman Craig Sams said many small organic businesses were questioning whether they could continue to run a viable enterprise, despite the rise in popularity of organic food overall.

'Urgent action is needed'

He said: "Urgent action is needed by the government, retailers and consumers to help our organic producers thrive."

The charity has already submitted evidence to a government commission on the future of farming and food which is due to make a report next month.

Among its recommendations the association is calling for food suppliers and supermarkets to abide by a code obliging them to pay a fair price for produce and to source UK goods over imports.

It says schools, hospitals, the civil service and other public bodies should use organic food.

Retailers and the government should educate consumers about the benefits of locally produced organic food, said the report.