Sales of organic products in France has risen to record levels in 2015, reaching 5.8 billion euros, up by 15% of 2014, reported the French company of organic products Agence Bio.

Sales amounted to 1.6 billion euros in 2005.

Organic products were sold mainly in supermarkets, which had a market share of 45%, but sales in specialized shops and direct sales from manufacturers sharply increased last year by 17 and 20%, respectively, Agence Bio said.

Purchase sector of public catering rose by 18%, but still accounted for a small share of total sales.

Almost 1.4 million hectares was occupied by organic agriculture, which is higher by 23% compared to the previous year. Organic agriculture now accounts for five percent of all French farmland.

More than 200 farms in France, the largest agricultural economy of the European Union, the transition to organic production every month last year, the company said.

Source: Thomson Reuters