Downturn hits organics: British consumers are turning away from organic products as they cope with tightening economic conditions, a study published last week found.

The shift in spending emerged in a survey by market research company Ipsos MORI. It said just 31 per cent of shoppers believed buying organic was important, while 48 per cent did not care either way. Some 64 per cent of consumers thought organic products were too expensive in the current climate.