Research says demand may have peaked

The BBC's consumer affairs correspondent Nicola Carslaw said: "People are more questioning about whether organic produce really is the solution to their concerns in the wake of BSE and other food scares and whether organic food even tastes better."

In 1999, 22% of people questioned in the UK said organic was safer, falling to 16% last year.

'Peaked'

The research also indicated a decline in the belief that it is better for you, down from 22% two years ago to 18% in 2001.

People are more questioning about whether organic produce really is the solution to their concerns

BBC's Nicola Carslaw

Minitel's survey involved 1,000 adults who were questioned about their thoughts on organic produce.

Young people were said to be among the most sceptical with just 11% of 15 to 24-year-old's surveyed last year believing organic produce is better for you than ordinary food.

This compared with 20% in 1999.

James McCoy, senior consultant analyst at Minitel, said: "Research suggests that the proportion of active buyers of organics has peaked, which may well slow the current rates of growth."

While enthusiasm for organic food is said to be declining in the UK, consumers in Scotland appear to be bucking the trend.

Scots consumers are reported to be most likely to believe in its health benefits.

Almost one quarter of people north of the border thought organic food was safer than non-organic.

In contrast, just 10% of those living in London thought the same.

While organic food is likely to remain popular, Minitel believes in the future it will be bought by a core number of consumers opposed to over-production and the use of pesticides.